Human body kinetic energy driven portable oxygen generator and oxygen generation method

Abstract

This invention discloses a portable oxygen generator and method powered by human kinetic energy, relating to portable pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation technology. The device includes a main energy-gathering module, a main unit module, an auxiliary energy-gathering module, and a control module. The main energy-gathering module generates a first gas source by directly compressing air through the impact of human limbs, while the auxiliary energy-gathering module recovers the kinetic energy of exhalation to generate a second gas source. The main unit generates oxygen through PSA in an adsorption tower, with no electrically powered booster components. The control module utilizes the dual rhythms of breathing and movement to achieve pulsed, on-demand oxygen production, with high-pressure gas generation during inhalation and low-pressure standby during exhalation. The main energy-gathering module employs a decoupled support-work structure, combining the rigid support of a walking stick with the pumping function. This invention requires no external power supply, has high energy utilization, and weighs ≤1.1kg. At an altitude of 5500m and a walking frequency of 30 steps / minute, it stably outputs 2L / min of 90% oxygen, suitable for various scenarios such as high-altitude mountaineering and wilderness emergencies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of portable pressure swing adsorption gas separation technology, specifically involving an oxygen generation device without external power supply that is driven by human limb kinetic energy and exhaled waste energy. It is suitable for high-altitude mountaineering, wilderness rescue, polar scientific research, fire fighting, and emergency oxygen supply in underground wells. Background Technology

[0002] There are currently three main types of mature portable oxygen generators, with published patent documents: CN114504712A (lithium battery driven PSA oxygen generator) and US20210322914A (human kinetic energy power generation electrolysis oxygen generator).

[0003] Lithium-ion battery-powered PSA oxygen generator: The battery accounts for more than 60% of the total weight of the unit, the whole unit weighs more than 2.5 kg, and the capacity is only 30% of that at room temperature when the temperature drops to -20℃. Lithium batteries pose a risk of thermal runaway and fire.

[0004] Mechanical energy to electrical energy and then electrolysis to produce oxygen: The total efficiency of multi-stage energy conversion is <5%, which cannot meet the oxygen supply demand of ≥2L / min during human activity, and relies on energy storage batteries for buffering.

[0005] Chemical oxygen candle: It releases heat at 300℃ in a single use and is only for emergency short-term oxygen supply; it cannot be used continuously.

[0006] Meanwhile, there are four gaps in the existing technology: all human exhalation kinetic energy is wasted; traditional PSA continuously maintains pressure for 70% of the working conditions but wastes energy ineffectively; the human inflatable structure cannot take into account both the rigid support of the cane and the piston displacement pumping; and human kinetic energy has never been directly connected to the PSA pressure swing adsorption process. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical problems to be solved

[0008] Overcoming the shortcomings of existing portable oxygen generators, such as reliance on batteries, poor reliability at low temperatures, low energy utilization, high energy consumption due to ineffective pressurization, ergonomic inconsistencies between cane support and pump structure, and idle exhalation energy, this solution provides an oxygen generation solution with zero external mains power, multi-source human waste energy recovery, and on-demand oxygen production based on human breathing pulses.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] Product Hardware Solution

[0011] A human kinetic energy-driven oxygen generator includes a main energy collection module, a host module, an auxiliary energy collection module, and a control module.

[0012] The main energy collection module is worn / handheld on the human body, and the support path and the work path are separated and decoupled. It integrates a dual-acting piston cylinder based on the trekking pole / shoe body. The impact of the limb directly compresses the air to generate the first high-pressure air source.

[0013] The auxiliary energy collection module is integrated into the mask's exhalation tubing. It uses the exhaled airflow to drive a micro turbine-speed-increasing gear-air pump assembly to recover the kinetic energy of exhalation and generate a second high-pressure air source.

[0014] The main unit module is equipped with an adsorption tower and a pre-loaded carbon fiber buffer gas tank. It gathers two high-pressure gas sources and separates them through pressure swing adsorption to produce oxygen. The whole machine has no gas pressurization component driven by electricity.

[0015] The control module is divided into two categories: electronic control (MEMS acceleration + respiratory pressure differential sensor + low power MCU) and pure mechanical control (rotary distribution valve + centrifugal speed controller). It regulates the PSA timing according to the dual rhythm of human breathing and movement, with high pressure oxygen production during inhalation and low pressure standby during exhalation.

[0016] Methods and solutions

[0017] The impact of human limbs is converted into compressed air to obtain the first air source, and the kinetic energy of exhalation can be recovered to generate a second air source; after the two air sources are stabilized, they are sent to the adsorption tower for pressure swing adsorption to produce oxygen; breathing and movement rhythms are collected in real time, high-pressure oxygen production is started during the inhalation phase, and low-pressure standby is maintained during exhalation; when there is no movement signal at rest, it switches to breathing to trigger pulse oxygen supply alone.

[0018] Derivative solutions

[0019] Mountaineering oxygen supply system: the above-mentioned device + flexible oxygen storage bag + oxygen supply mask; wearable device: main unit integrates shoes / leg protection gear, main unit integrates waist belt / backpack; computer-readable storage medium: stores program, runs to implement the aforementioned oxygen generation method.

[0020] Beneficial effects

[0021] Energy efficiency: The overall mechanical energy utilization rate is 35%, which is 7 times that of the electrolytic oxygen production route; the exhalation recovery enhancement system has an energy redundancy of 30%, and at an altitude of 5500m and a walking frequency of 30 times / min, it stably produces 2.0L / min of oxygen with an oxygen concentration of 90%±3%.

[0022] Energy consumption optimization: Pulse timing eliminates 70% of ineffective pressurization, reducing overall energy consumption by 55% and increasing molecular sieve adsorption utilization by 20%;

[0023] Environmental reliability: Performance remains unaffected in environments with low temperature (-40℃), high humidity, and electromagnetic interference; powered by only a coin cell battery (MCU solution has a battery life of ≥6 months); no risk of lithium battery fire.

[0024] Comfort of use: Exhalation tubing resistance ≤0.3kPa, no feeling of shortness of breath or discomfort; the decoupled structure of the cane supports without sinking or displacement, and the human body's grip and load perception is consistent with that of a conventional cane;

[0025] Safety redundancy: A chemical oxygen emergency interface is reserved, which can provide emergency oxygen supply for 15 minutes at a rate of 2L / min with a 50g oxygen candle, and the outer wall temperature of the shell is ≤45℃. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the dual trekking pole driven oxygen generation system of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the kinetic energy harvesting compression module for trekking poles;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the internal airflow structure of the main unit module;

[0029] Figure 4 Here is the flowchart of the dual-rhythm pulse control logic;

[0030] Figure 5 Internal structure diagram of the decoupled dual-path trekking pole;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall layout of the three-source integrated system;

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a shoe insole-type kinetic energy harvesting module;

[0033] Figure 8 Structural diagram of a purely mechanical distribution valve + centrifugal speed controller;

[0034] Figure 9 Diagram of the emergency chemical oxygen connector structure;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the exhalation-assisted energy collection module. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Example 1: Basic model with double trekking poles

[0037] Main energy-gathering dual trekking poles; cylinder inner wall DLC coating thickness 2.0μm (range 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5μm three values); coefficient of friction 0.08; Mohs hardness 9; buffer tank 0.2L (0.15 / 0.2 / 0.25L) carbon fiber tank; stable pressure 2.5bar (2.2 / 2.5 / 2.8bar); pulsation ≤±0.3bar; adsorption tower φ30mm×150mm (25 / 30 / 35mm; 120 / 1 50 / 180mm), filled with 200g of Li-LSX molecular sieve (180 / 200 / 220g), helix angle 15°, pitch 10mm; MCU uses STM32L0, CR2032 power supply; actual test at 5500m low-pressure chamber: -10℃, step frequency 30 times / min, oxygen production 2.0L / min, oxygen concentration 90%; at 7000m-40℃, oxygen production 1.8L / min, oxygen concentration 88%, whole machine 1.05kg.

[0038] Example 2: Insole-type wearable device

[0039] Three sets of TPE sealed chamber insoles are connected in series. When walking normally at 60 steps per minute, they produce 2.0 bar and 2.5 L / min of compressed air, which can replace trekking poles as the main air source.

[0040] Example 3: Fully mechanical, non-electrically controlled model

[0041] The valve core completes a full PSA cycle with 24 impact rotations, the centrifugal speed adjustment is adaptive at 20 / 50 steps / minute, the oxygen concentration is stable at ≥85%, and it is suitable for altitudes of 3000 / 4500m.

[0042] Example 4: Dual-Rhythm Adaptive Control Method

[0043] The MCU collects the step frequency and mask breathing pressure difference signals and predicts the triggering of high pressure 50ms before inhalation; when there is no step frequency at rest, it automatically switches to breathing to control oxygen separately, reducing energy consumption by 55%.

[0044] Example 5: Chemical Emergency Oxygen Module

[0045] Oxygen candle φ10×100mm, NaClO350g+Fe5g+MnO22g, oxygen production 20L, 95% concentration, 2L / min for 15min, outer wall ≤45℃.

[0046] Example 6: Decoupled Structure Trekking Stick

[0047] The center fixed-length rod has a load-bearing deformation of <0.1mm, the tungsten alloy inertia ring weighs 80g, the piston stroke driven by 8~12G acceleration upon contact with the ground is 5mm, the gas pressure generated in a single stroke is 4bar, and the support does not sink.

[0048] Example 7: Ultimate Three-Source Integration Solution

[0049] Dual decoupled trekking poles (78% main energy) + mask turbine auxiliary energy collection (17% exhalation recovery) + emergency chemical oxygen; at an altitude of 6000m, cadence of 40 steps, and breathing rate of 20 breaths / min, oxygen production is 2.2L / min, oxygen concentration is 92%, and there is no decay for 8 consecutive hours; turbine outer diameter is 12mm, speed ratio is 1:8, and exhalation pressure drop is 0.18kPa.

[0050] Example 8: Exhalation Turbine-Assisted Energy Collection Unit

[0051] The turbine has an outer diameter of 25mm and a length of 40mm. It features a two-stage planetary gear system with a speed increase of 1:10. When breathing 20 times per minute, it produces 0.8L / min of gas at 0.6 bar, with a power of 0.08W. It also includes a built-in waterproof and breathable membrane and replaceable silica gel desiccant.

Claims

1. A portable oxygen generator powered by human kinetic energy, characterized in that, include: At least one main energy collection module, which can be worn or held in the hand, is used to collect the impact of the human body's periodic limb movements and directly convert the impact force into air compression work to generate the first high-pressure air source. The main unit module is connected to the main energy collection module via a gas path. The main unit module is equipped with an adsorption tower filled with adsorbent, which receives a first high-pressure gas source and achieves oxygen separation through pressure swing adsorption. The main unit module does not contain a gas pressurization component that uses electrical energy as the sole driving force.

2. The portable oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is also equipped with an auxiliary energy collection module, which is located in the exhalation line of the oxygen supply mask. The auxiliary energy collection module includes a micro turbine, a speed-increasing gearbox and an air pump. It uses the kinetic energy of the exhaled gas to generate a second high-pressure air source. The main module simultaneously collects the first and second high-pressure air sources. The overall exhalation resistance pressure drop of the exhalation line is ≤0.3kPa.

3. The portable oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The internal support path and power path of the main energy collection module are decoupled; the support path is equipped with a rigid central fixed-length rod, and the load-bearing and unloaded length of the rod remains basically unchanged; the power path is equipped with a non-load-bearing assembled inertial mass block, which drives air compression to do work by generating relative displacement through ground impact.

4. The portable oxygen generator according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The main energy collection module is integrated into the trekking pole body. The pole is equipped with a double-acting piston-cylinder assembly, which can compress and generate gas during both the pole's contact with the ground and its lifting strokes. The inner wall of the cylinder and / or the outer wall of the piston are provided with an oil-free self-lubricating coating. The coating is made of diamond-like carbon or atomic layer deposited alumina, with a thickness of 1.5μm~2.5μm, a coefficient of friction ≤0.1, and a Mohs hardness ≥8.

5. The portable oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main unit module is equipped with a carbon fiber buffer gas tank at the front end of the adsorption tower air inlet. The gas tank has a volume of 0.15L / 0.25L, a stable output gas pressure of 2.2bar / 2.8bar, and a gas source pressure pulsation of ≤±0.3bar.

6. The portable oxygen generator according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The adsorption tower has an inner diameter of 25mm / 35mm and a height of 120mm / 180mm, and is filled with 180g / 220g of Li-LSX nitrogen molecular sieve. The adsorption bed is a 3D printed integral spiral turbulence structure with a spiral helix angle of 10° / 20° and a pitch of 8mm~12mm.

7. The portable oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a control module, which can be configured in two ways: one is a low-power microcontroller component that is electrically connected to the main energy collector MEMS accelerometer and the mask-side breathing sensor; the other is a purely mechanical component consisting of a rotary distribution valve and a centrifugal speed controller. The control module collects human respiratory and motor rhythms and controls the timing of pressure swing adsorption, with pressure boosting for oxygen production during inhalation and low-pressure standby during exhalation.

8. A method for generating oxygen using human kinetic energy, applied to the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The system collects the impact kinetic energy of human limbs to compress air to obtain the first high-pressure air source, and uses the kinetic energy of exhalation to prepare the second high-pressure air source. After the two air sources are stabilized, they are fed into the adsorption tower for pressure swing adsorption to separate oxygen. The system collects human movement rhythm and respiratory rhythm in real time. During the inhalation phase, high-pressure oxygen production is triggered, and during the exhalation phase, the adsorption tower is kept at low pressure and in standby mode. When the movement signal disappears and only the respiratory signal exists, the system switches to a pulse oxygen supply mode driven solely by the respiratory rhythm.

9. A mountaineering oxygen supply system, a wearable breathing device, and a computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The mountaineering oxygen supply system includes an oxygen generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, a flexible breathing bag connected to the air outlet of the main unit, and an oxygen supply mask; the wearable breathing device integrates the main energy collection module into the shoe body or leg protection gear and the main unit module into the waist belt / backpack. A computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the oxygen production method of claim 8.

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