A humidification water box and a ventilator

Abstract

This invention proposes a humidification water box and a ventilator. The humidification water box includes a water box assembly and a differential pressure assembly connected to the water box assembly. The water box assembly includes a water receiving box and a top cover that is sealed to the upper opening of the water receiving box. The top cover includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe for communication with the ventilator, and the inlet pipe and outlet pipe are respectively connected to the inner cavity of the water receiving box. The top cover also includes a first pressure sampling tube and a second pressure sampling tube passing through the top cover. The insertion end of the first pressure sampling tube is located above the liquid surface in the water receiving box, and the insertion end of the second pressure sampling tube is located below the liquid surface in the water receiving box. The external ends of the first and second pressure sampling tubes are respectively connected to the corresponding pressure sampling ports of the differential pressure assembly. The aim is to improve the accuracy of the water level in the humidification water box assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ventilator technology, and more particularly to a humidification water box and a ventilator. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the humidification water tank in a ventilator is a crucial component, responsible for warming and humidifying inhaled air. Proper warming and humidification can prevent and reduce secondary respiratory infections in mechanically ventilated patients, as well as irritation to the cardiopulmonary system, keeping the alveoli moist. It also reduces heat and respiratory moisture loss, making it less prone to sputum buildup and decreasing the viscosity of secretions, thus promoting expectoration. However, existing ventilator humidification water tank components use photoelectric water level detection probes to monitor the water level within the tank. For example... Figure 1 The image shows a humidifier water tank assembly for a home ventilator, which uses a photoelectric water level detection probe to monitor the water level inside the tank. When the water level drops to the probe position, it indicates that the water level has decreased. Figure 1 When the position indicated by the middle arrow is reached, the photoelectric water level probe will issue an alarm command. Figure 1 In this system, the water tank cover 11 can be opened for water addition. 11a is the air inlet; turbocharging forces air into the water tank through 11a and then exhausts it through 11b. The exhaust air is then expelled through the breathing tube into the human respiratory system. The sealing element 12 ensures a tight seal between the water tank cover 11 and the bottom 13 of the water tank, preventing air leakage. The location indicated by the arrow on the bottom 13 of the water tank is the installation position for the photoelectric water level probe. This photoelectric probe is non-contact and is installed close to the outer bottom of the water tank to detect the water level inside.

[0003] However, the reliability of photoelectric water level probes is affected by many factors, which can lead to false alarms during use. For example, when heating the water in the water tank, bubbles are generated during the heating process. These bubbles can affect the detection of the photoelectric water level probe, causing a false alarm signal of dry burning even when no water is consumed. Similarly, the water vapor produced after heating condenses on the inner wall of the water tank, and if the inner wall is not cleaned in time after repeated use, a large amount of scale will form. After dry burning, these factors affect the false alarm of the photoelectric probe, causing alarm commands to fail in many cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new humidification water tank. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a humidification water box and a ventilator, which aims to solve the problem of inaccurate water level detection in existing humidification water box components.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a humidification water box, the humidification water box including a water box assembly and a differential pressure assembly connected to the water box assembly;

[0006] The water box assembly includes a water receiving box and a top cover that is sealed to the upper opening of the water receiving box;

[0007] The upper cover includes an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe for communicating with a ventilator, and the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe are respectively connected to the inner cavity of the water collection box;

[0008] The top cover also includes a first pressure acquisition tube and a second pressure acquisition tube passing through the top cover. The insertion end of the first pressure acquisition tube is located above the liquid surface in the water receiving box, and the insertion end of the second pressure acquisition tube is located below the liquid surface in the water receiving box. The external ends of the first pressure acquisition tube and the second pressure acquisition tube are respectively connected to the corresponding pressure acquisition ports of the differential pressure component.

[0009] Optionally, the insertion end of the second pressure acquisition tube has a wedge-shaped structure.

[0010] Optionally, the bottom of the water receiving box is also provided with a heating base plate, and the insertion end of the second pressure acquisition tube does not contact the heating base plate.

[0011] Optionally, the water receiving box and the top cover are sealed together by a first sealing element.

[0012] Optionally, the differential pressure assembly includes two accommodating cavities completely separated by a partition plate and corresponding pressure acquisition ports communicating with each accommodating cavity. Each accommodating cavity is also connected to the external ends of the corresponding first pressure acquisition tube and second pressure acquisition tube, and each pressure acquisition port is connected to a differential pressure sensor.

[0013] Optionally, each accommodating cavity is connected to the corresponding pressure acquisition port of the differential pressure sensor via a flexible tube, and a connecting cap is provided between each flexible tube and the corresponding accommodating cavity.

[0014] Optionally, a flexible membrane is provided between the interface of each connecting cover and the corresponding receiving cavity.

[0015] Optionally, each accommodating cavity is also connected to the external ends of the first pressure acquisition tube and the second pressure acquisition tube respectively through corresponding second sealing elements.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes an external display and early warning device that is electrically connected to the differential pressure sensor.

[0017] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides a ventilator, the ventilator including the humidification water box described in any of the preceding claims.

[0018] Beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. By setting corresponding pressure acquisition tubes above and below the liquid surface and connecting them to different pressure acquisition ports of the differential pressure sensor, two different pressure spaces are formed. The change in water level in the water receiving box is determined by the change in pressure difference, thereby realizing the early warning of water level in the water receiving box.

[0020] 2. The differential pressure assembly adopts an integrated dual-chamber design, and the addition of a flexible diaphragm not only enables pressure transmission but also protects the differential pressure sensor.

[0021] 3. The end of the pressure acquisition tube extending below the liquid surface adopts a wedge-shaped structure, which can effectively avoid the influence of siphon effect.

[0022] 4. The matching settings of the seals effectively enhance the sealing performance between the water box assembly and the differential pressure assembly, thereby improving the detection accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a humidification water box assembly for a ventilator in the prior art.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the differential pressure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A perspective view of the gas collection path of the structure shown;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Side view of the structure shown;

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 2 Top view of the structure shown;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a waveform diagram of the differential pressure during a certain test cycle in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0033] label name label name 2 Water box components 21 Top cover 22 First sealing element 23 Water collection box 24 Heating base plate 2101 intake manifold 2102 air outlet 2103 First pressure acquisition tube 2104 Second pressure acquisition tube 2105 The end of the first pressure acquisition tube 2106 The end of the second pressure acquisition tube 3 Differential pressure components 31 Container cavity 32 differential pressure sensor 33 Second seal 34 hose 35 Connecting cover 3101 partition Detailed Implementation

[0034] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0037] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this invention is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0038] See Figure 2-6 The present invention provides a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a humidifying water box, wherein the humidifying water box includes a water box assembly 2 and a differential pressure assembly 3 connected to the water box assembly 2;

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the water box assembly 2 includes a water receiving box 23 and an upper cover 21 that is sealed to the upper opening of the water receiving box 23; specifically, the water receiving box 23 and the upper cover 21 are sealed to each other by a first sealing member 22. The first sealing member 22 is annular and matches the upper opening structure of the water receiving box 23.

[0040] The upper cover 21 includes an air inlet pipe 2101 and an air outlet pipe 2102 for communication with a ventilator. The air inlet pipe 2101 and the air outlet pipe 2102 are respectively connected to the inner cavity of the water collection box 23, so that the turbocharged gas enters the water box from the air inlet pipe 2101 and is discharged from the air outlet pipe 2102. The discharged gas is used by the human respiratory system through the breathing tubing.

[0041] Furthermore, the upper cover 21 also includes a first pressure collection tube 2103 and a second pressure collection tube 2104 passing through the upper cover 21. The insertion end of the first pressure collection tube 2103 is located above the liquid surface in the water receiving box 23. Specifically, as shown in the figure... Figure 5 The structure shown depicts a water receiving box 21 with the dashed line r representing the highest liquid level. The insertion end 2105 of the first pressure sensing tube 2103 is positioned above this highest liquid level, allowing it to collect pressure values ​​above the liquid surface in the receiving box 21. Simultaneously, the insertion end of the second pressure sensing tube 2104 is located below the liquid surface in the receiving box 23, enabling it to collect pressure values ​​below the liquid surface. The collected pressure values ​​change with the water level within the receiving box 23.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the external ends of the first pressure acquisition tube 2103 and the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 are respectively connected to the corresponding pressure acquisition ports of the differential pressure component 3. Specifically, each pressure acquisition port is connected to the same differential pressure sensor 32. The pressure difference above and below the liquid surface in the water receiving box 23 is then determined by the differential pressure sensor 32, thereby determining the liquid level height in the water receiving box 23.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown in the cross-section, the air path connection inside the water box can be seen. The dashed line k represents the internal connection line of the second pressure acquisition tube 2104. It can be seen that when the water level is lower than the end of the second pressure acquisition tube 2104, the air inside and outside the water level is connected through the second pressure acquisition tube 2104, and the pressure is equal. The solid line s represents the internal connection line of the pressure acquisition tube interface 21c. The solid line s corresponds to the end 2105 of the internal first pressure acquisition tube, which is always at a higher position inside the water box, maintaining equal pressure with the inside of the water box.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the bottom of the water receiving box 23 is also provided with a heating base plate 24. The heating base plate 24 is used to heat the liquid in the water receiving box 23, and in order to determine the timing of the dry burning alarm, it controls the insertion end of the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 to not contact the heating base plate 24. Generally, under the working turntable of the water receiving box, the insertion end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 is designed to be slightly higher than the height of the heating base plate 29.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 4As shown in Figure 5, the insertion end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 is not flat and has a wedge-shaped structure. The improvement principle is that if the insertion end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 is flat, the water column inside the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 is easily sucked in by retention force and siphon. However, using a wedge-shaped port can disrupt the water's own equilibrium state after dry burning, and then the water column falls under the action of gravity, thereby achieving pressure balance at both ends and causing a sudden change in pressure difference. This serves to remind technicians that the water collection box 23 needs to be filled with water.

[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the differential pressure assembly 3 includes two accommodating cavities 31 completely separated by a partition plate 3101 and corresponding pressure acquisition ports communicating with each accommodating cavity 31. Each accommodating cavity 31 is also connected to the external ends of a corresponding first pressure acquisition tube 2103 and a second pressure acquisition tube 2104. Specifically, each accommodating cavity 31 is also connected to the external ends of the first pressure acquisition tube 2103 and the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 respectively through corresponding second sealing elements 33. The second sealing elements 33 are all silicone sealing elements. Generally, the second sealing elements 33 can also be integrated together to form an eyeglasses-type silicone sealing element.

[0047] Furthermore, each accommodating cavity 31 is connected to its corresponding pressure acquisition port of the differential pressure sensor 32 by a flexible tube 34, and each flexible tube 34 is connected to its corresponding accommodating cavity 31 by a connecting cap 35. Specifically, as shown... Figure 3 As shown, each accommodating cavity 31, pressure acquisition port, second sealing element 33, and connecting cover 35 are integrated together and arranged in a linearly symmetrical manner.

[0048] Furthermore, a flexible membrane 4 is provided between the interface of each connecting cover 35 and the corresponding receiving cavity 31. Due to the flexible membrane 4, pressure transmission is achieved across both sides of each flexible membrane 4, preventing water vapor in the water receiving box from diffusing into the differential pressure sensor 32. Thus, this device indirectly transmits the pressure in different conduits within the water receiving box to the differential pressure sensor through pressure transmission, achieving indirect pressure acquisition while protecting the sensor from water ingress failure.

[0049] Furthermore, it also includes an external display and early warning device that is electrically connected to the differential pressure sensor 32. Based on the pressure values ​​received by the differential pressure sensor in different conduits, the differential pressure situation in the water receiving box 23 is determined and displayed in the display and early warning device, and an alarm is issued in a timely manner.

[0050] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides a ventilator, the ventilator including the humidification water box described in any of the above claims.

[0051] Furthermore, to better illustrate the effectiveness of this device, the following explanation uses specific data collection:

[0052] like Figure 7 The figure shows the differential pressure waveform at a certain flow rate according to the present invention. The horizontal axis represents time in seconds, and the vertical axis represents the differential pressure collected by the differential pressure sensor 32 in Pa. Following the actual installation sequence, after installation, the water level in the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 is approximately equal to the water level in the water box, so the initial differential pressure is zero. In actual operation, the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube inserted into the water corresponds to the negative pressure end of the differential pressure sensor 32. If the pressure in the water box 23 is greater than the pressure in the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube, the differential pressure is positive; conversely, if the pressure in the water box 23 is less than the pressure in the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube, the differential pressure is negative.

[0053] After the ventilator starts working, the pressure difference initially decreases because the water temperature rises from room temperature, water vapor is generated, and the temperature of the sealed gas in the second pressure collection tube 2104 increases, causing the gas to expand and increasing the pressure in the end 2106 of the second pressure collection tube. Meanwhile, the pressure in the water collection box remains constant as long as the ventilator flow rate remains constant, so the pressure difference initially decreases.

[0054] As water is continuously consumed, the supporting force of the water column in the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 decreases, causing the liquid level at the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube to drop. This leads to an expansion of the enclosed gas volume within the second pressure acquisition tube 2104, resulting in a decrease in pressure and an increase in the pressure differential. After 61,000 seconds, the pressure differential reaches its maximum value of 223 Pa. When the water level falls below the wedge-shaped opening at the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube, the water column in the second pressure acquisition tube 2104 will instantly drop, connecting the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube to the water box. The water box is connected to the other pressure acquisition port of the differential pressure sensor 32 via the first pressure acquisition tube 2103. Therefore, when the water level is below the lower opening of the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube, the pressures collected at both ends of the differential pressure sensor 32 are equal, causing the pressure differential to drop to near zero when the water level is below the lower opening of the end 2106 of the second pressure acquisition tube. At this point, the central control unit of the external display and early warning device, which is electrically connected to the differential pressure sensor 32, can issue a dry-burning alarm command. After the dry-burning alarm, the differential pressure will always tend to zero and will no longer change.

[0055] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or system that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or system. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or system that includes that element. The sequence numbers of the above-described embodiments are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0056] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the patent. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A humidifying water box, characterized in that, The humidification water box includes a water box assembly (2) and a differential pressure assembly (3) connected to the water box assembly (2). The water box assembly (2) includes a water receiving box (23) and an upper cover (21) that is sealed to the upper opening of the water receiving box (23). The upper cover (21) includes an air inlet pipe (2101) and an air outlet pipe (2102) for communicating with a ventilator. The air inlet pipe (2101) and the air outlet pipe (2102) are respectively connected to the inner cavity of the water collection box (23). The upper cover (21) also includes a first pressure acquisition tube (2103) and a second pressure acquisition tube (2104) passing through the upper cover (21). The insertion end of the first pressure acquisition tube (2103) is located above the liquid surface in the water receiving box (23), and the insertion end of the second pressure acquisition tube (2104) is located below the liquid surface in the water receiving box (23). The external ends of the first pressure acquisition tube (2103) and the second pressure acquisition tube (2104) are respectively connected to the corresponding pressure acquisition ports of the differential pressure component (3). The differential pressure assembly (3) includes two accommodating cavities (31) completely separated by a partition plate (3101) and a corresponding pressure acquisition port connected to each accommodating cavity (31). Each accommodating cavity (31) is also connected to the external end of the corresponding first pressure acquisition tube (2103) and second pressure acquisition tube (2104). Each pressure acquisition port is connected to a differential pressure sensor (32).

2. The humidifying water box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insertion end of the second pressure acquisition tube (2104) has a wedge-shaped structure.

3. The humidifying water box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the water receiving box (23) is also provided with a heating base plate (24), and the insertion end of the second pressure collection tube (2104) does not contact the heating base plate (24).

4. The humidifying water box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water receiving box (23) and the top cover (21) are sealed together by a first sealing element (22).

5. The humidifying water box according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each accommodating cavity (31) is connected to the corresponding pressure acquisition port of the differential pressure sensor (32) by a flexible tube (34), and each flexible tube (34) is connected to the corresponding accommodating cavity (31) by a connecting cover (35).

6. The humidifying water box according to claim 5, characterized in that, A flexible membrane (4) is also provided between the interface of each connecting cover (35) and the corresponding receiving cavity (31).

7. The humidifying water box according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each accommodating cavity (31) is also connected to the external end of the first pressure acquisition tube (2103) and the second pressure acquisition tube (2104) respectively through the corresponding second sealing element (33).

8. The humidifying water box according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, It also includes an external display and early warning device that is electrically connected to the differential pressure sensor (32).

9. A ventilator, characterized in that, The ventilator includes the humidification water box according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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