Valve device with float control having a float body acting redundantly

Abstract

The invention relates to a float-controlled valve device comprising a valve assembly having a passage, a valve seat structure penetrated by the passage and a valve body structure displaceable between a closed position and a through position, wherein the valve device further comprises: a first and a second float body having a first or a second rising volume section, wherein the first and the second float body are pivotably hinged on a first or a second hinge, such that in a regular operation each float body is movable along a rising axis between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the first float body and the second float body are coupled with the valve body structure, respectively, wherein in the respective lowered position the rising volume sections of the two float bodies are arranged at a distance to each other orthogonal to the rising axis, wherein at least one hinge is located within a body spacing region between the two rising volume sections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a float-controlled valve device, particularly for use in the humidification apparatus of respiratory devices for artificial respiration in humans or animals. The invention also relates to a humidification apparatus having such a valve device.

[0002] The float-controlled valve device includes a valve assembly having a channel, a valve seat structure penetrated by the channel, and a valve body structure, wherein the valve body structure is movable relative to the valve seat structure between a closed position and a through position. In the closed position, the channel is closed by abutting the valve body structure against the valve seat structure. In the through position, the valve body structure is spaced apart from the valve seat structure, allowing flow through the channel. The valve device also includes a first float having a first rising volume section and a second float having a second rising volume section. The first float is pivotally hinged to a first hinge, and the second float is pivotally hinged to a second hinge. Thus, in normal operation of the valve device, each float can move between a descending position and a rising position along a rising axis parallel to the direction of gravity. The first and second floats are coupled to the valve body structure such that if at least one float is in the rising position, the valve body structure is in the closed position, and if both floats are in the descending position, the valve body structure is in the through position. Background Technology

[0003] Such a float-controlled valve device and a wetting device having said valve device are known in US 5,445,143. In this known valve device, a first float body serves as the primary float body, which decisively determines the position of the valve body structure relative to the valve seat structure. A second float body serves as a backup float body, which takes over the function of the first float body in case of failure. The liquid level and filling volume differ significantly in magnitude when the first and second float bodies reach their rising positions, thereby ensuring the closure of the channels, respectively. The rising volume section of each float body is rigidly connected to a connecting piece, which, in conjunction with the liquid volume, ensures or decisively ensures the lifting force necessary to adjust the relevant float body to the rising position. Each connecting piece is hinged via a hinge to an insert in the filling volume of the container of the wetting device having the known valve device. Due to the pivotable movement of the float body, the trajectory of its rising volume section between the descending and rising positions has not only a motion component along the rising axis but also a motion component orthogonal to said motion component, however, within a smaller range. The two floats can either be stacked one on top of the other along the rising axis, so that the floats can be different sizes or the same size, or the two floats can be arranged side by side orthogonal to the rising axis, so that the floats must be different sizes, so that one float acts as the main float and the other floats acts as the backup float.

[0004] Another valve device with a main float and a spare float is known from EP 2 119 466 A1. Unlike in US 5,445,143 mentioned above, the first and second floats here can only move translationally along the rising axis between a descending position and a rising position. This translational mobility enables the two floats to be concentric about the rising axis. The outer spare float is guided at the housing of the wetting device to move between its operating positions. The inner main float is guided at the spare float. Therefore, even if only one float in the float assembly is tilted, the movement of the entire float assembly is impeded. The valve device known from EP 2 119 466 A1 also applies, such that the liquid level and filling volume that cause the main float and spare float to enter the rising position in a wetting device with a valve device differ significantly in magnitude.

[0005] The valve device typically uses a channel through which liquid can flow into a filling volume containing a float. Therefore, in the prior art, when the liquid level is reached as determined by the structural design and configuration of the main float, the float moves to the rising position, thus closing the channel. If the liquid level drops in the area of ​​the float, for example due to the evaporation and removal of water vapor, the float moves back from its rising position to the falling position under gravity, thus lifting the valve structure from the valve seat structure, and allowing liquid to flow back into the area of ​​the float through the channel. Therefore, provided the main float operates correctly, the valve device can regulate and limit the amount of liquid filling in the area of ​​the float to its maximum capacity.

[0006] This limitation on the maximum filling volume is particularly important in the humidification devices of respiratory equipment used for artificial respiration. Such humidification devices should moisten the breathing gas for the patient so that it is tolerable even during prolonged breathing, and that sections of the physical ventilator do not dry out due to excessively dry breathing gas. However, it is crucial to avoid, under any circumstances, that fluid be carried by the breathing gas and reach the patient's lungs.

[0007] Here, it is not merely excessive liquid level that is a potential hazard for undesirable liquid transport. Even if the correct liquid volume accumulates at the wrong location within the wetting device, a risk to liquid transport can arise, even if the initial liquid level was correct. This can occur, for example, when the wetting device is tilted and the valve assembly tilts accordingly. On the one hand, this causes the liquid volume to approach the outlet, potentially facilitating liquid outflow from the wetting device. On the other hand, by tilting the valve assembly, the rising axis, as a component of the motion trajectory important for the movement of the floats between the descending and ascending positions, tilts away from the direction of gravity. Therefore, at least one float that was previously correctly positioned in the ascending position can move away from that position, allowing additional liquid to flow into the filling volume despite the presence of the correct maximum liquid volume in the wetting device. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve the valve device designed as described at the beginning in such a way that even when the orientation of the valve device deviates from the usual desired operating orientation, the liquid flowing through the channel can be prevented from overfilling the filling volume guaranteed by the valve device.

[0009] The present invention achieves this objective for the valve device mentioned at the beginning by means of the following: when taking the respective descending positions of the two floats as a reference state, the respective ascending volume sections of the two floats are arranged with a distance orthogonal to the ascending axis between them, wherein at least one hinge is located in the body spacing region between the two ascending volume sections, and / or wherein at least one ascending volume section is located in the hinge spacing region between the two hinges.

[0010] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the operating state of the valve device with both floats in the descending position should be used as a reference state to describe the current valve device. The descending position here is the position occupied by the floats within the container if the container does not contain liquid.

[0011] The ascending axis is the axis of the following straight line: if the container carrying the valve device is supported on a flat, horizontal base, i.e., orthogonal to the direction of gravity, in its normal operational ready state, then the ascending force acts along said axis. In the normal operational ready state, the ascending axis extends parallel to the direction of gravity. However, if the container with the valve device is tilted at a certain angle about an inclined axis orthogonal to the direction of gravity with respect to its normal operational ready state, then the ascending axis is tilted at said angle relative to the direction of gravity.

[0012] The reference state mentioned above is always the normal operational readiness state, in which the ascent axis is parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0013] Furthermore, if it is mentioned that the valve body structure rises from the valve seat when the float is in the lowered position, this should not preclude the valve body structure from rising from the valve seat when the float is in an intermediate position between the lowered and raised positions. In fact, in most cases, the valve body structure rises from the valve seat if the float is not in the raised position.

[0014] By constructing a spacing region that is not restricted in its extension along the rising axis in the general design of the invention, it is feasible to arrange the two rising volume sections in different, orthogonal to the rising axis, side-by-side spatial and planar regions of the filling volume of the container housing the valve device. Due to this arrangement with spatial spacing between them, the float of the sensor, which also functions as a liquid level detector, can detect the filling level of the liquid filling the filling volume in the different, orthogonal to the rising axis, spaced apart regions of the filling volume. Therefore, at least one rising volume section can be eccentrically arranged with respect to the filling volume, so that it can detect the filling level above the bottom of the filling volume in a normal, operationally ready state, and that it can be moved to the rising position by accumulation even when the container is tilted, thereby closing the channel for liquid passage.

[0015] Unlike in the prior art, the floats of the valve device of the present invention are not arranged in a hierarchical manner as main floats and backup floats, but rather as equal floats. This is advantageous due to the aforementioned spatial spacing between the rising volume sections, because when sufficient liquid accumulates in their respective areas, each individual float will rise to the rising position and close the passage.

[0016] "Equality" here means that, in the normal operational ready state, the amount of liquid in the first float and the amount of liquid in the second float, calculated as the larger of the two amounts, does not differ by more than 10%, preferably not more than 7.5%. Of course, these two amounts are the same amount of liquid.

[0017] In order to identify a segment of the float body as belonging to the float body, in this application, the segment is represented by the same serial number as the following float body, and the segment of the float body is formed by the segment. Therefore, the first rising volume segment is exemplarily the rising volume segment of the first float body, etc.

[0018] In principle, it is sufficient for the hinges and rising volume sections to be alternately arranged along a direction at an angle to the rising axis, preferably a right angle. With this arrangement, one rising volume section can detect the liquid level in the central region near the center of the filling volume, while another rising volume section detects the liquid level in the edge region near the edge of the filling volume. If, in the reference state, these two hinges are located in the body spacing region, then the tilting of the valve device in each of two opposite tilting directions about the tilting axis can advantageously cause the desired closure of the passage. This achieves an arrangement where the rising volume sections of the float body have a large quantitative distance from each other. Then, these two rising volume sections can be located on different sides of the hinges, or the hinges can be located between the rising volume sections.

[0019] To detect the fill level and to close the channel when the limit fill level is exceeded in a normal, ready-to-operate state, the spatial arrangement of the rising volume section in a direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity is at most subordinate to its spatial arrangement along the direction of gravity. This is because, in a normal, ready-to-operate state, the liquid level in the filling volume of the container holding the valve extends orthogonally to the rising axis. Therefore, repositioning the rising volume section orthogonally to the rising axis does not alter the rise caused by the rising volume section.

[0020] The tilt axis of the float body, which is particularly reliable to be detected, passes through the interval region at an angle to the rising axis, preferably at a right angle, and the interval region is preferably the body interval region.

[0021] Advantageously, at least one rising volume segment is pivotally disposed such that its trajectory of displacement between the descending and rising positions, in doubt, i.e., its center of gravity trajectory, has a primary motion component extending parallel to the rising axis and only one secondary motion component orthogonal to the rising axis. This can be achieved by having at least one hinge located in the body spacing region disposed in a height extension region extending along the rising axis, and at least one rising volume segment, preferably both rising volume segments, also extending in the height extension region in the reference state.

[0022] Preferably, in order to achieve the most consistent lift force possible when the two float bodies are filled in a conventional, operationally ready state, at least 60% of their rising volume extends in a common height extension region along the rising axis, preferably entirely within the common height extension region. Preferably, for the same reason, in the reference state, the height dimensions of the two rising volume sections differ by no more than 10% based on the larger height dimension, preferably no more than 7.5%, and particularly preferably, the height dimensions of the two rising volume sections are identical in the reference state.

[0023] In principle, the two virtual pivot axes can be spaced apart from each other along the ascending axis, wherein the first and second floats are pivotally hinged to their respective hinges about the pivot axes. Advantageously, when adjusting between the descending and ascending positions, kinematics that are not significantly different can be obtained in such a way that they have kinematic components that are not significantly different from each other along the ascending axis and, on the other hand, kinematic components that are not significantly different from each other orthogonal to the ascending axis: the first and second virtual pivot axes lie in a common virtual extension plane, the first float is pivotally hinged to a first hinge about the first virtual pivot axis, and the second float is pivotally hinged to a second hinge about the second virtual pivot axis, wherein, in the reference state, the virtual extension plane preferably intersects at least one ascending volume segment. The two virtual pivot axes are preferably parallel to each other. Particularly preferably, the virtual pivot axes are set very close to each other along the rising axes compared to the distance from each rising volume segment, such that the plane unfolded by the two pivot axes intersects the two rising volume segments in the reference state.

[0024] When the virtual extension plane is orthogonal to the ascending axis, the two floats perform advantageous similar or even identical movements between their descending and ascending positions. Because the ascending axis extends parallel to the direction of gravity in the normal operating state, the liquid level in the filling volume of the container filling the bearing valve device in this operating state is also orthogonal to the ascending axis.

[0025] In a preferred compact embodiment, the valve assembly can include a valve housing with a channel formed thereon. The channel formed in the valve housing can be part of a longer conduit leading to a liquid reservoir. Each hinge includes a float-side hinge section disposed on or formed on a float body and a support-side hinge section disposed on or formed on a pivot support, interacting with the float-side hinge section. The support-side hinge section can be formed on any section of the container carrying the valve assembly. To facilitate the pre-installation of the valve assembly on or within the container, preferably, at least one hinge, and preferably the support-side hinge sections of both hinges, are formed on the valve housing.

[0026] In principle, the valve body can be constructed from multiple separately manufactured components. Preferably, the valve body is constructed in one or two pieces, for example, by two half-shells or sub-shells, to facilitate production and installation. This is feasible, for example, even in the case of injection-molded valve bodies with relatively complex component geometries.

[0027] Because the passage to be closed by the valve device or the passage to be released for flow passage typically has a very small diameter compared to the filling volume of the container holding the valve device, the two floats must often act on the valve body structure in very close spatial proximity. This can be simplified by having the first rising volume section closer to the second pivot axis relative to the first pivot axis, or / and the second rising volume section closer to the first pivot axis relative to the second pivot axis.

[0028] Preferably, at least one float body has a rising volume section, a hinged section on the float body side, and a connecting section connecting the rising volume section to the hinged section on the float body side. It is preferable that the rising volume sections of the at least one float body are spaced apart from the pivot axis of the same float body, so that the float body performs a movement path sufficient to displace the valve body structure between the descending and ascending positions.

[0029] This connecting segment can be a connecting piece structure. Therefore, the rising volume segment can also be positioned away from the hinge of its float body in the filled volume, for example, in its edge region. Therefore, more preferably, the two float bodies are configured in the manner mentioned above. Thus, as described above, the two float bodies can be staggered such that their rising volume segments, in the reference state and preferably when the float bodies are in the rising position, are located on different sides of the pivot axis advantageously extending therebetween. Each rising volume segment is connected to its hinge via a connecting segment, wherein the pivot axis of the corresponding other rising volume segment is closer to the rising volume segment relative to its own pivot axis. Therefore, the connecting segments of the two float bodies overlap between the two pivot axes.

[0030] In principle, the float can be coupled to the valve body structure via any structure through a transmission device and / or push rod and / or connecting rod, so that the movement of the float into the lift position causes the valve body structure to move into the closed position.

[0031] The particularly simple yet effective coupling of each float body and valve body structure, allowing direct motion transmission from the float body, especially its connecting section, to the valve body structure, can be achieved in the coupling region located between the two pivot axes. Therefore, it is preferred that the coupling of the first float body and valve body structure is located in the coupling region between the first and second pivot axes, and / or the coupling of the second float body and valve body structure is located in the coupling region between the first and second pivot axes. In case of doubt, the aforementioned coupling region extends parallel to the ascending axis and is defined by two planes parallel to the ascending axis, each plane containing exactly one pivot axis.

[0032] Although in principle the coupling between the float body and the valve body structure can be designed as a coupling between the rising volume section and the valve body structure, the coupling between the float body connection section and the valve body structure is preferred because the connection section is almost freely configurable in terms of its configuration.

[0033] For manufacturing purposes, the first and second floats can be constructed identically. Therefore, it is sufficient to produce only one float, which is either the first or second float simply because of its placement on the valve assembly. Preferably, the first and second floats are torsional about a transfer axis parallel to the rising axis, ensuring that their rising volume sections are respectively located in another spatial region of the filling volume of the container carrying the valve assembly. Then, by rotation about the transfer axis, and if necessary, with additional movement, one float is virtually transferred to the other. Alternatively, the float can include a rising volume section and a separate connecting section, or be composed of these components, wherein the connecting section can be fixed to or connected to the rising volume section. Thus, the float can be constructed from at least a connecting section and a rising volume section. This has the advantage that the connecting section can always be manufactured in the same shape and can be rotated 180 degrees about the axis for use with the second hollow body.

[0034] In a first feasible embodiment, the valve seat structure can have exactly one valve seat, and the valve body structure can have exactly one valve body, wherein exactly one valve body can enter the closed position through each individual float. Such a valve assembly is known, for example, from EP 2 119 466 A1 mentioned above. In a second feasible embodiment, the valve seat structure can include a first valve seat and a second valve seat spaced apart from the first valve seat, wherein the two valve seats are connected by a channel. Thus, in this second embodiment, the valve body structure includes a first valve body and a second valve body movable relative to the first valve body. In this case, the first valve body is coupled to the first float for co-movement and can be physically abutted against the first valve seat. Similarly, the second valve body is coupled to the second float for co-movement and can be physically abutted against the second valve seat. A valve assembly designed in this way is known from US 5,445143 mentioned above. The first embodiment has the advantage of having the same closing force for both floats. The second embodiment has the advantage that each float can be permanently connected to its associated valve body.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a humidification device for a breathing apparatus, the humidification device comprising a container having a filling volume, wherein the container has an inlet through which breathing gas is introduced into the filling volume, and the container has an outlet through which breathing gas is discharged from the filling volume. The humidification device includes a valve device configured as described above. The channel of the valve device is here an input channel for introducing liquid into the container.

[0036] The filling volume is thus permeated by the breathing gas, which carries away evaporated or vaporized liquid towards the patient to increase its humidity. For better controllability of the wetting of the breathing gas in the filling volume, at least one wall section of the container, preferably the bottom, is made of a material with higher thermal conductivity than the rest of the container. Preferably, the majority of the container wall is molded from plastic. The wall section with higher thermal conductivity is preferably formed of metal. Therefore, the wall section with higher thermal conductivity can come into contact with a heat source, preferably with controllable power, via heat transfer, allowing heat to be introduced into the liquid in the filling volume through the heat source via the wall section with higher thermal conductivity, thereby quantitatively altering the liquid's evaporation rate over time.

[0037] The container has a bottom and sidewalls protruding from the bottom. To achieve the desired closure of the passage in the event of undesirable tilting of the container, it is advantageous that at least one rising volume section is positioned closer to the sidewalls than its position in the central region of the container's filling volume, since liquid filling the filling volume typically accumulates in the edge region near the sidewalls when the container is tilted. Therefore, this is preferably applied to at least one, preferably two, floats, such that the rising volume section of one float is closer to the nearest section of the sidewalls than to the rising volume section of the corresponding other float.

[0038] Preferably, a substantial portion of the container's filling volume is available for the flow of breathing gas and the mixing of the flowing breathing gas with the evaporated or vaporized liquid. Therefore, preferably, the volume occupied by the two floats does not exceed 20% of the container's filling volume, and more preferably, does not exceed 15%.

[0039] As detailed above, preferably, the two floats are functionally equivalent, as illustrated in the wetting device as follows: when used conventionally by means of an ascending axis oriented parallel to the direction of gravity, the first and second floats are configured and arranged such that when deionized water at a temperature of 20°C is used as the reference liquid for filling the container, the filling amount required for the first float to reach its ascending position differs from that required for the second float to reach its ascending position by the larger of the two filling amounts by no more than 10%, preferably no more than 5%. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0041] Figure 1 A rough schematic perspective view of a breathing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, having a humidifying device;

[0042] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A rough schematic perspective view of the wetting equipment;

[0043] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 The wetting equipment and the partially cut-out sidewall device and the partially cut-out valve assembly;

[0044] Figure 4 The valve device of this application is shown in an embodiment according to the invention, as exemplarily described in... Figure 2 and 3 As used in wetting equipment, it has floats in the rising position;

[0045] Figure 5 Shown in the descending position as a reference state Figure 4 Valve devices; and

[0046] Figure 6 Shown when viewed from below with the bottom of the device omitted. Figure 2 and 3 Wetting equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0047] exist Figure 1 In this context, a breathing device is typically designated 10. The breathing device 10 has a touchscreen 12 as an input / output device, which is connected to a control device housed within the breathing device 10's housing for data transmission. The breathing device 10 has a fan within its housing, by means of which ambient air is drawn in as breathing gas via a rear inlet 14. Alternatively, the breathing gas can be a mixture of various gases connected to the breathing device via a port.

[0048] A humidification device 16 is provided in the lower front half of the breathing device 10, the humidification device being used to humidify the breathing gas before it is delivered toward the patient via the breathing hose 18.

[0049] The humidification device 16 includes a container 20 into which a liquid, typically water, can be filled. The liquid filled into container 20 evaporates or vaporizes there, and breathing gas flowing through container 20 mixes with the evaporated or vaporized liquid. Therefore, the breathing gas exits container 20 through breathing hose 18 with a greater absolute humidity than when it was delivered into container 20. Breathing hose 18... Figure 1 Only its two longitudinal end sections are shown shortened. The middle section of the breathing hose 18 is not shown.

[0050] exist Figure 1In the process, the breathing device 10 is in a normal operating state and the humidifying device 16 is also in a normal operating state, in which the flat vertical surface of the breathing device 10 is oriented orthogonally to the direction of gravity g.

[0051] Mark 22 on the front side of container 20 indicates the maximum liquid level, at the filling volume 24 of container 20 (see...). Figure 3 The liquid in the container should not exceed the maximum liquid level.

[0052] Liquid can be obtained from Figure 1 The reserve (not shown) is introduced into the filling volume 24 of container 20 via supply line 26. Figure 1 In the diagram, the supply line 26 is exemplarily shown as a coiled hose when not in operation. The supply line 26 has a coupling structure 28 at its longitudinal end remote from the container 20, such as a puncture coupling portion 28, by means of which the interior of the supply line 26 can communicate with the stored liquid. The coupling structure 28 allows additives, such as drugs, to be added to the liquid flowing in the supply line 26 in a manner known per se.

[0053] At the longitudinal end of the supply line 26 near the container 20, the supply line is coupled to a through opening 30 in the container wall 32, so that liquid flowing through the supply line 26 from the liquid reservoir, which is normally driven by gravity, can enter the filling volume 24 of the container 20.

[0054] The container 20 can be removed from the insertion recess 36 on the breathing device 10 via the hand-held bucket 34 on the front side of the container 20 and can be reinserted therein.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the channel member 30 is adjacent to the through opening 30 on the inner side of the container wall 32, and a channel 40 is formed in the channel member, which conveys the liquid supplied by the supply line 26 to the valve device 42, and conveys it through the valve device 42 according to the operating state of the valve device 42. Figure 3 In the diagram, the channel member 38 is shown in cross-section along a plane parallel to the ascending axis A and orthogonal to the pivot axes S1 and S2, which will be described below, to show the channel 40. In the middle region of the channel member 38, a section is cut out from the channel member due to the curvature of the channel member about an axis of curvature parallel to the ascending axis A.

[0056] exist Figure 2 and 3 The diagram also shows an outlet 44 through which breathing gas flowing through the filling volume 24 exits from the container 20. Figure 3 Inlet 46 is shown, through which breathing gas flows into the filling volume 24.

[0057] The container wall 32 includes sidewall devices 32a and a substantially flat bottom 32b. The sidewall devices 32a are preferably made of a thermoplastic material by injection molding. The bottom 32b is made of metal and has a higher thermal conductivity compared to the sidewall devices 32a. The insertion recess 36 of the breathing device 10 has a heating device on its underside, which comes into heat-transfer contact with the preferably metallic bottom 32b when the wetting device 16 is inserted into the insertion recess 36, so as to transfer heat to the liquid accumulating on the bottom 32b in the operational-ready reference state with as little time delay and with as little loss as possible. In the operational-ready reference state of the wetting device 16, the bottom 32b of the container 20 is oriented substantially orthogonal to the direction of gravity g, such that the liquid surface filled into the filling volume 24 is oriented substantially parallel to the bottom 32b.

[0058] The valve device 42 includes a valve assembly 43 having a valve seat structure 48 penetrated by a channel 40 and a valve body structure 50 movable relative to the valve seat structure 48. The valve body structure and the valve seat structure 48 work together to selectively close or open the channel penetrating the valve seat structure 48.

[0059] In normal operation, the channel 40 passes through the valve seat structure 48 parallel to the direction of gravity g. Therefore, the valve body structure 50 is preferably also able to move relative to the valve seat structure 48 parallel to the direction of gravity g. In principle, preferably, the valve body structure 50 can move relative to the valve seat structure 48 parallel to the direction in which the channel 40 passes through the valve seat structure 48.

[0060] The valve device 42 has a first float body 52 and a second float body 54 as actuators of the valve body structure 50. These two float bodies 52 and 54 are identically constructed and are arranged in the filling volume 24 only with different orientations. These two float bodies can revolve around a transfer axis Ub orthogonal to the bottom 32b (see...). Figure 6 They virtually transfer to each other by rotating 180°.

[0061] The first float body 52 is hingedly supported on the first hinge member 56 about the first pivot axis S1. The first float body 52 has a rising volume section 52a spaced apart from the first pivot axis S1, the rising volume section being connected to the hinge member 56 via a connecting section 52b. The connecting section 52b is configured as a frame-like connecting piece section. The rising volume section 52a occupies the main volume of the first float body 52 and ensures the maximum portion of the rise provided by the first float body 52 in its interaction with the liquid contained in the filling volume 24. The rising volume section 52a in its... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The running position shown is the rising position ( Figure 4 ) and descent position ( Figure 5 The rising volume segment 52a moves along the ascending axis A, which extends parallel to the direction of gravity g in the normal operational ready state of the valve device 42. Because the rising volume segment 52a is effectively forced to form a circular track around the first pivot axis S1, the trajectory of the rising volume segment 52a between its operating positions also has a motion component orthogonal to the ascending axis A. However, this motion component firstly does not contribute to the displacement of the valve body structure, and secondly, compared with the motion component along the ascending axis A, the motion component is negligible in magnitude.

[0062] As in Figure 3 As clearly visible, the first rising volume segment 52a is the closest segment to the sidewall device 32a. The first rising volume segment 52a is closer to the closest segment of the sidewall device 32a than the perpendicular bisector of the bottom 32b at its center of area, which extends perpendicularly to the bottom 32b and parallel to the rising axis A. Figure 3 In this configuration, the perpendicular bisector extends in a plane parallel to the ascending axis A, which is located at the center of the distance between the first pivot axis S1 and the second pivot axis S2. Specifically, each ascending volume segment 52a and 54a is closer to the nearest segment of the sidewall device 32a relative to the corresponding other ascending volume segment 52a or 54a.

[0063] The second float 54 can pivot about the second pivot axis S2 in a similar manner to the first float 54 pivoting about the first pivot axis S1. Due to the same configuration, the second float 54 has a rising volume section 54a, which is connected to the second hinge 58 via a connecting section 54b configured as a frame-like connecting piece structure. In this respect, "frame-like" means that the connecting piece structure has interconnected longitudinal and transverse supports. The longitudinal and transverse supports here form a triangular or quadrilateral frame to achieve a statically stable connecting piece structure.

[0064] according to Figure 4 The construction of valve assembly 43 is described in detail. Valve seat structure 48 has a first valve seat 48a and a second valve seat 48b spaced apart from the first valve seat along the ascending axis A. These two valve seats 48a and 48b are formed on a channel member 38, which also forms the valve housing 60. The first valve seat 48a exemplarily has a negatively conical support surface, and the second valve seat 48b has a positively conical support surface. These two valve seats 48a and 48b are penetrated by a channel 40.

[0065] The valve body structure 50 has a first valve body 50a, which is pin-shaped in the illustrated example, and a second valve body 50b movable relative to the first valve body, which is tubular in the illustrated example. The first valve body 50a has a positively conical support surface to interact with the negatively conical support surface of the first valve seat 48a. The second valve body 50b has a negatively conical support surface to interact with the positively conical support surface of the second valve seat 48b. The valve body structure 50 also has a softly elastic diaphragm 62 spanning the two valve bodies 50a and 50b to improve the stability of the valve assembly 43. Figure 4 The sealing performance in the closed position is shown. The two valve bodies 50a and 50b can be moved entirely along the ascending axis A.

[0066] The first valve body 50a is hinged to the first float body 52, and in the example shown, it is coupled to its connecting section 52b, such that the movement of the first connecting section 52b along the ascending axis A causes the first valve body 50a to... Figure 4 The closed position shown in the figure and in Figure 5 The diagram shows the shifting between positions.

[0067] Similarly, the second valve body 50b is hingedly coupled to the second float body 54, and in the example shown, to its connecting section 54b, such that the movement of the second connecting section 54b along the ascending axis A causes the second valve body 50b to... Figure 4 The closed position shown in the figure and Figure 5 The displacement between the positions is shown in the diagram. Here, one of the two valve bodies 50a or 50b is moved to its closed position so that it is sufficient to close the passage 40 for liquid flow.

[0068] Valve device 42 is designed such that when each float body 52 and 54 is in at least one of the same end positions in the descending and ascending positions, the connection between the first valve body 50a and the first connecting section 52b or the second valve body 50b and the second connecting section 54b (see...) Figure 6 The hinge axes 64 and 66 extend coaxially. Then, the coaxial hinge axes 64 and 66 are equidistant from the pivot axes S1 and S2.

[0069] Furthermore, the valve device 42 is designed such that floats 52 and 54 are arranged substantially diagonally to the parallel ascending axis (A). In other words, when the hinge axes 64 and 66 unfold to form a virtual reference plane parallel to the ascending axis (A), one float is on one side of the virtual reference plane, while the other float is on the other side.

[0070] Between them at a distance a (see Figure 5Of the rising volume sections 52a and 54a provided, the first rising volume section 52a is closer to the second pivot axis S2, while the second rising volume section 54a is closer to the first pivot axis S1. The coupling portions of these two valve bodies 50a and 50b with the float bodies 52 and 54 are located in the extended regions of these two connecting sections 52b and 54b, which are located between the two pivot axes S1 and S2.

[0071] Hinges 56 and 58 are formed between the respective float bodies 52 or 54 and the valve housing 60. In the example shown, a shaft end serving as a hinge segment on the float body side is formed on the respective float body 52 or 54, which is an injection-molded component (see [link]). Figure 3 shaft end 56a and Figure 6 (Shaft ends 56a and 58a). The valve housing 60 has a recessed section that accommodates the corresponding shaft ends as a hinged section on the support side.

[0072] exist Figure 5 The valve device 42 is shown in its lowered position, and further described in the introduction of the specification as a reference state. The rising volume sections 52a and 54a have small protrusions on their outer sides at their bottoms, by means of which the rising volume sections 52a and 54a are positioned on the preferably flat bottom 32b of the container 20. The small protrusions ensure that the rising volume sections 52a and 54a can be flushed downwards by the liquid in the filling volume 24 even in the lowered position, such that even a minimum amount of liquid is sufficient to cause the rising volume sections 52a and 54a to rise.

[0073] A body spacing region 67 exists between the rising volume segments 52a and 54a, and in the illustrated embodiment, the two hinges 56 and 58 are disposed in the body spacing region. The body spacing region 67 extends orthogonally to the rising axis A through the gap a present between the rising volume segments 52a and 54a. By arranging the rising volume segments 52a and 54a with a gap a between them, each rising volume segment 52a and 54a can be disposed on the edge region of the filling volume 24, i.e., the segment disposed near the sidewall device 32a, which advantageously and significantly improves the sensitivity of the valve device 42 to the tilt of the wetting device 16 about an inclined axis that is orthogonal not only to the rising axis A but also to the direction of the gap a.

[0074] If both floats are in the descending position, then hinges 56 and 58, and the pivot axes S1 and S2 defined by the hinges, lie in a common height extension region 68 of the rising volume segments 52a and 54a, which is bounded downward by plane 68a and upward by plane 68b. These two planes 68a and 68b are closely spaced planes orthogonal to the ascending axis A, with respect to the lower and upper sides of the rising volume segments 52a and 54a, respectively. This arrangement of hinges 56 and 58 with the rising volume segments 52a and 54a, which are forcibly guided by the hinges, ensures advantageous kinematics for the rising volume segments 52a and 54a, which have significantly larger motion components along the ascending axis A compared to those orthogonal to the ascending axis. For the same reason of achieving advantageous kinematics for the rising volume segments 52a and 54a, pivot axes S1 and S2 are arranged in a common virtual plane 70, which intersects the rising volume segments at least when they are in the descending position. However, as Figure 4 As shown, this is also the case if the rising volume segments 52a and 54a are in the rising position. The virtual extension plane 70 is orthogonally oriented to the rising axis A and thus... Figure 4 and 5 The drawing plane is orthogonally oriented.

[0075] Because the individual height extension regions of the two ascending volume segments 52a and 54a are identical in size and orientation, exactly two planes, namely the upper and lower planes, are sufficient to determine a common height extension region 68 that is identical to the individual height extension regions. If the individual height extension regions of the two ascending volume segments 52a and 54a are different in size and / or orientation, then the individual height extension region of each ascending volume segment 52a and 54a needs to be determined in a similar manner. The common height extension region 68 is the intersection of the individual height extension regions.

[0076] If the wetting device 16, and consequently the valve device 42, tilts in any direction about an inclined axis parallel to the pivot axes S1 and S2, the liquid moves toward the sidewall section that is lowered due to the tilting motion. Therefore, the liquid accumulates in the area of ​​one of the two rising volume sections 52a and 54a, thereby allowing the relevant rising volume section and the entire float to be moved to the rising position. This prevents liquid from flowing back into the filling volume of the wetting device 16 if it is in an undesirable tilting position. This also applies to tilting motions about an inclined axis that is not perfectly parallel to one of the pivot axes, as long as its extension along one of the pivot axes is greater than its extension orthogonal to the pivot axis.

[0077] Unlike the view in the embodiment, the pivot axes S1 and S2 need not be parallel to each other. However, preferably, the pivot axes are still located in a common plane.

Claims

1. A float-controlled valve device (42), the valve device comprising a valve assembly (43) having a channel (40), a valve seat structure (48) through which the channel passes, and a valve body structure (50), wherein the valve body structure (50) is movable relative to the valve seat structure (48) between a closed position and a through position, wherein in the closed position the channel (40) is closed by physically abutting the valve body structure (50) against the valve seat structure (48), and in the through position the valve body structure (50) is spaced apart from the valve seat structure (48) such that the channel (40) is flow-through, wherein the valve device (42) further comprises: A first float (52) having a first rising volume section (52a) and a second float (54) having a second rising volume section (54a), wherein the first float (52) is pivotally hinged to a first hinge (56), and wherein the second float (54) is pivotally hinged to a second hinge (58), such that in normal operation, each individual float (52, 54) can move between a descending position and a rising position along an ascending axis (A) parallel to the direction of gravity (g), wherein the first float (52) The second float (54) is coupled to the valve body structure (50) such that if at least one of the floats (52, 54) is in the rising position, then the valve body structure (50) is in the closed position, wherein each individual float rises to the rising position and closes the channel (40) when sufficient liquid accumulates in the setting area of ​​each individual float (52, 54), and if both floats (52, 54) are in the falling position, then the valve body structure is in the through position. The feature is that, when considering the two floats (52, 54) in their respective descending positions as a reference state, the respective ascending volume sections (52a, 54a) of the two floats (52, 54) are arranged with a distance (a) orthogonal to the ascending axis (A) between them, wherein at least one hinge (56, 58) is located in the body spacing region (67) between the two ascending volume sections (52a, 54a).

2. The valve device (42) according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the reference state, the two hinges (56, 58) are located in the body spacing region (67).

3. The valve device (42) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one hinge (56, 58) located in the body spacing region (67) is provided in the height extension region (68) extending along the rising axis (A), and in the reference state, the two rising volume segments (52a, 54a) also extend in the height extension region.

4. The valve device (42) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first virtual pivot axis (S1) and the second virtual pivot axis (S2) are located in a common virtual extension plane (70), the first float body (52) is pivotally hinged to the first hinge (56) about the first virtual pivot axis, and the second float body (54) is pivotally hinged to the second hinge (58) about the second virtual pivot axis.

5. The valve device (42) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The virtual extension plane (70) intersects with the rising volume segments (52a, 54a) of the first float body (52) and the second float body (54) in the reference state.

6. The valve device (42) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The virtual extension plane (70) is orthogonally oriented to the ascending axis (A).

7. The valve device (42) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The valve assembly (43) includes a valve housing (60) on which the channel (40) is formed, wherein each hinge (56, 58) includes a float-side hinge section (56a, 58a) and a support-side hinge section that interacts with the float-side hinge section (56a, 58a), wherein the support-side hinge section of at least one hinge (56, 58) is formed on the valve housing (60).

8. The valve device (42) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The hinged sections on the support side of the two hinges (56, 58) are formed on the valve housing (60).

9. The valve device (42) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The valve housing (60) is constructed in one or two parts.

10. The valve device (42) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first rising volume segment (52a) is closer to the second virtual pivot axis (S2) relative to the first virtual pivot axis (S1), or / and the second rising volume segment (54a) is closer to the first virtual pivot axis (S1) relative to the second virtual pivot axis (S2).

11. The valve device (42) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The coupling of the first float body (52) to the valve body structure (50) is located in the region between the first virtual pivot axis (S1) and the second virtual pivot axis (S2), and / or the coupling of the second float body (54) to the valve body structure (50) is located in the region between the first virtual pivot axis (S1) and the second virtual pivot axis (S2).

12. The valve device (42) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first float body (52) and the second float body (54) are identically constructed.

13. The valve device (12) according to claim 12. Its features are, The first float (52) and the second float (54) are arranged to be twisted relative to each other about a transfer axis (Ub) parallel to the rising axis (A).

14. The valve device (42) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The valve seat structure (48) includes a first valve seat (48a) and a second valve seat (48b) spaced apart from the first valve seat, wherein the two valve seats (48a, 48b) are penetrated by the channel (40), and the valve body structure (50) includes a first valve body (50a) and a second valve body (50b) movable relative to the first valve body, wherein the first valve body (50a) is coupled to the first float body (52) to move together and can physically abut against the first valve seat (48a), and wherein the second valve body (50b) is coupled to the second float body (54) to move together and can physically abut against the second valve seat (48b).

15. A humidifying device (16) for a breathing apparatus (10), the humidifying device comprising a container (20) having a filling volume (24), wherein the container (20) has an inlet (46) through which breathing gas can be introduced into the filling volume (24), and the container has an outlet (44) through which breathing gas can be discharged from the filling volume (24), wherein the humidifying device (16) has a valve device (42) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the passage of the valve device (42) is an input passage for introducing liquid into the container (20).

16. The wetting device (16) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The container (20) has a container bottom (32b) and a sidewall device (32a) protruding from the container bottom (32b), wherein, for at least one float body (52, 54), the distance between the rising volume section (52a, 54a) of the float body and the nearest section of the sidewall device (32b) is shorter than the distance (a) between the rising volume section (52a, 54a) of the corresponding other float body (52, 54).

17. The wetting device (16) according to claim 16, characterized in that, For the two floats (52, 54), the distance between the rising volume section (52a, 54a) of the float and the nearest section of the sidewall device (32b) is shorter than the distance (a) between the rising volume section (52a, 54a) of the corresponding other float (52, 54).

18. The wetting device (16) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The volume occupied by the two floats (52, 54) does not exceed 20% of the filling volume (24) of the container (20).

19. The wetting device (16) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The volume occupied by the two floats (52, 54) does not exceed 15% of the filling volume (24) of the container (20).

20. The wetting device (16) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, In conventional use with an ascending axis (A) oriented parallel to the direction of gravity (g), the first float (52) and the second float (54) are configured such that, when deionized water at a temperature of 20°C is used as the reference liquid for filling the container (20), the amount of filling required for the first float (52) to reach its ascending position and the amount of filling required for the second float (54) to reach its ascending position differ by no more than 10% from the larger of the two amounts.

21. The wetting device (16) according to claim 20, characterized in that, In conventional use with an ascending axis (A) oriented parallel to the direction of gravity (g), the first float (52) and the second float (54) are configured such that, when deionized water at a temperature of 20°C is used as the reference liquid for filling the container (20), the amount of filling required for the first float (52) to reach its ascending position and the amount of filling required for the second float (54) to reach its ascending position differ by no more than 5% from the larger of the two amounts.

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