Sputum suction device with inhale-assisted sputum discharge collection function
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202611135869.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-16
AI Technical Summary
现有的在日常使用时,吸痰与供氧功能无法集成于一体,管路切换繁琐,痰液收集过程需人工直接接触收集容器,密封效果不稳定,不仅操作效率低下,还存在生物安全防护不足的隐患
1、通过将氧气供给与吸痰功能集成于三通管路,并采用输气罩内设吸痰管的结构,实现了呼吸辅助与吸痰的一体化操作,同时封闭的吸痰通路和阀门泵机联动可防止痰液逆流与气溶胶扩散,显著降低交叉感染风险;
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Figure CN122912203A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a suction device with suction-assisted sputum collection function. Background Technology
[0002] For patients with weakened respiratory function, those unable to expectorate independently post-surgery, or those requiring prolonged bed rest, simultaneous respiratory support and airway secretion clearance are often necessary. Currently, most commercially available suction devices only offer single negative pressure suction. When patients require oxygen, an additional ventilator or oxygen supply line must be configured, leading to the use of multiple devices, complex tubing, and significant bedside space occupation. Furthermore, the operational procedures are complex, increasing the burden on medical staff. In addition, the sputum collection process in existing devices generally relies on manual operation, such as manually changing collection bottles or emptying sputum. During this process, medical staff are highly susceptible to direct contact with sputum or aerosol contamination, posing a serious risk of cross-infection and occupational exposure. Manual sealing methods also make it difficult to ensure the airtightness of the collection container during storage and transportation, easily causing secondary contamination. However, existing devices still have some problems in use, as follows: In daily use, existing systems cannot integrate suctioning and oxygen supply functions, require cumbersome tubing switching, necessitate direct manual contact with the collection container during sputum collection, and have unstable sealing effects. This not only results in low operational efficiency but also poses a risk of insufficient biosafety protection. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This invention provides a suction device with suction and expiratory sputum collection function, which has advantages and solves the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0004] This invention provides the following technical solution: a suction device with assisted sputum collection and suction function, comprising a carrier box, an end cap mounted on the top of the carrier box, a control panel, a filter ventilation plate, and a suction mechanism. The control panel is mounted on the front side of the carrier box, the filter ventilation plates are mounted on both sides of the carrier box, and the suction mechanism is mounted inside the carrier box. The suction mechanism includes an oxygen cylinder, an electronic valve, an air supply hood, a suction tube, a three-way tube, an electronic liquid valve, a sputum outlet tube, a delivery tube, a dual-direction pump, an electronic liquid valve, a delivery tube, and a sputum collection box. The oxygen cylinder is mounted above the carrier box and below the end cap, and the outer surface of the electronic valve is fixed to the end of the oxygen cylinder. The following connections are made: the end of the air supply hood is fixedly connected to the output end of the electronic air valve; the end of the suction tube is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the air supply hood; the top end of the three-way tube is fixedly connected to the other end of the suction tube; the input end of the first electronic liquid valve is fixedly connected to the left end of the three-way tube; the end of the sputum discharge tube is fixedly connected to the output end of the first electronic liquid valve; the end of the first delivery tube is fixedly connected to the right end of the three-way tube; the input end of the dual-direction pump is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the first delivery tube; the input end of the second electronic liquid valve is fixedly connected to the output end of the dual-direction pump; the top end of the second delivery tube is fixedly connected to the output end of the second electronic liquid valve; and the inner surface of the sputum collection box is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the second delivery tube.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, a contactless sealing mechanism is also included, which is mounted on the rear side of the carrier box.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the contactless sealing mechanism includes a support column, a processing table, and a conversion box. The support column is installed on the rear side of the carrier box, the bottom of the processing table is fixedly connected to the top of the support column, and the top of the conversion box is fixedly connected to the bottom of the processing table.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the non-contact sealing mechanism further includes a stepper motor, a worm gear, a rotating shaft, and a worm wheel. The outer surface of the stepper motor is fixedly connected to the side of the conversion box, the outer surface of the worm gear is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the conversion box, and the end of the worm gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the stepper motor. The outer surface of the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the conversion box, the inner surface of the worm wheel is fixedly connected to the middle of the rotating shaft, and the outer edge of the worm wheel meshes with the worm gear.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the non-contact sealing mechanism further includes an indexing plate, the inner surface of which is fixedly connected to the top end of the rotating shaft.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the contactless sealing mechanism further includes a collection bottle positioned above the indexing plate.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the non-contact sealing mechanism further includes a support frame, a cylinder, a guide rail, and a slider. The bottom of the support frame is fixedly connected to the top of the processing table. The outer surface of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the side of the support frame. The outer surface of the guide rail is fixedly connected to the side of the support frame and is located below the cylinder. The inner surface of the slider is slidably connected to the outer surface of the guide rail, and the output end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the top of the slider.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the contactless sealing mechanism further includes a bottle cap, the top of which is mounted on the bottom of the slider and positioned directly above the collection bottle.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder can drive the slider to move along the guide rail, thereby causing the bottle cap to descend and press against the mouth of the collection bottle.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the air supply hood is fitted over the output end of the electronic air valve, and the inlet of the suction tube is located inside the air supply hood.
[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. By integrating oxygen supply and suction function into a three-way tubing and adopting a structure with a suction tube inside the air supply mask, the integrated operation of respiratory assistance and suction is realized. At the same time, the closed suction passage and valve-pump linkage can prevent sputum backflow and aerosol diffusion, significantly reducing the risk of cross-infection. 2. The stepper motor drives the worm gear indexing plate to automatically switch the collection bottle, and the cylinder drives the bottle cap to press and seal. The entire process does not require manual contact with sputum, eliminating biological contamination and occupational exposure. The worm gear self-locking position is precise, and multiple bottles can be operated continuously, which greatly improves the efficiency of sputum treatment and the reliability of sealing. 3. The whole machine adopts a compact layout with the oxygen cylinder built into the upper part of the carrier box, the breathing and suction mechanism integrated into the box, and the contactless sealing mechanism located at the rear. Combined with the front control panel and the filter ventilation plates on both sides, the structure has a high degree of integration, intuitive operation, and is easy to move and deploy in limited spaces such as bedside. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the carrier box of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the position and structure of the respiratory suction mechanism of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the respiratory suction mechanism of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the contactless sealing mechanism of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a partial internal structure diagram of the contactless sealing mechanism of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the contactless sealing mechanism of the present invention.
[0016] In the diagram: 1. Carrier box; 2. End cap; 3. Control panel; 4. Filter ventilation plate; 5. Breathing and suction mechanism; 6. Non-contact sealing mechanism; 50. Oxygen cylinder; 51. Electronic valve; 52. Gas delivery hood; 53. Suction tube; 54. Three-way tube; 55. Electronic liquid valve one; 56. Sputum outlet tube; 57. Delivery tube one; 58. Dual-direction pump; 59. Electronic liquid valve two; 510. Delivery tube two; 511. Sputum collection box; 60. Support column; 61. Processing table; 62. Conversion box; 63. Stepper motor; 64. Worm gear; 65. Rotary shaft; 66. Worm wheel; 67. Indexing plate; 68. Support frame; 69. Cylinder; 610. Guide rail; 611. Slider; 612. Bottle cap; 613. Collection bottle. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The following will be combined with the present invention. Figures 1 to 7 The technical solutions in this invention will be clearly and completely described. In addition, the forms of the various structures described in the following embodiments are merely illustrative. The suction device with suction and sputum collection function that assists in sputum collection and suction is not limited to the structures described in the following embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0018] Please see Figures 1 to 7 The illustrated device is a suction device with assisted sputum collection and suction function. The device includes a carrier box 1, which forms the main support structure of the device. An end cap 2 is installed on the top of the carrier box 1 to seal and protect the internal components. A control panel 3 is located on the front of the carrier box 1, which receives operating commands and displays the device's operating status. Filter ventilation plates 4 are installed on both sides of the carrier box 1 to facilitate gas circulation and heat dissipation within the carrier box 1. A respiratory suction mechanism 5 is installed inside the carrier box 1 to provide assisted oxygen supply to the patient and to suction and collect sputum from the respiratory tract. A non-contact sealing mechanism 6 is installed on the rear of the carrier box 1 to automatically seal and change the sputum collection bottle 613. The device features a compact layout, with an oxygen cylinder 50 integrated into the upper part of the carrier box 1 and all functional components integrated into the front and rear sides of the box, allowing for flexible movement and deployment in limited spaces such as beside the bed.
[0019] In this embodiment, it is necessary to explain the specific tubing connections and component positions of the respiratory suction mechanism 5. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 2 The respiratory suction mechanism 5 shown includes an oxygen cylinder 50, an electronic valve 51, an air supply hood 52, a suction tube 53, a three-way tube 54, an electronic liquid valve 55, a sputum outlet tube 56, a delivery tube 57, a dual-direction pump 58, an electronic liquid valve 59, a delivery tube 510, and a sputum collection box 511. The oxygen cylinder 50 is installed above the support box 1 and below the end cap 2, for storing and supplying oxygen. The outer surface of the electronic valve 51 is fixedly connected to the end of the oxygen cylinder 50 for controlling the oxygen supply. The on / off state of the air supply mask 52 is as follows: The end of the air supply mask 52 is fixedly connected to the output end of the electronic air valve 51 to direct oxygen to the patient's mouth and nose area; the end of the suction tube 53 is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the air supply mask 52, and the inlet of the suction tube 53 is located inside the air supply mask 52, for directly suctioning sputum in an oxygen-supplied environment, reducing aerosol leakage; the top end of the three-way tube 54 is fixedly connected to the other end of the suction tube 53, for realizing the separation of sputum between two pathways: from the three-way tube 54 to the electronic liquid valve 55 and from the three-way tube 54 to the delivery tube 57. The left end of the three-way pipe 54 is fixedly connected to the input end of the electronic liquid valve 55, which controls the flow of sputum from the three-way pipe 54 through the electronic liquid valve 55 to the sputum outlet pipe 56. The output end of the electronic liquid valve 55 is connected to the sputum outlet pipe 56, which discharges sputum to the external collection bottle 613. The right end of the three-way pipe 54 is fixedly connected to the end of the delivery pipe 57, which connects the three-way pipe 54 to the dual-direction pump 58. The bottom end of the delivery pipe 57 is connected to the dual-direction pump 58. The input end of the dual-flow pump 58 is fixedly connected to the pump. The dual-flow pump 58 can operate in both directions to provide negative pressure for suctioning or to pump sputum out in the forward direction. The output end of the dual-flow pump 58 is fixedly connected to the input end of the electronic liquid valve 59. The electronic liquid valve 59 is used to control the flow of the pipeline from the dual-flow pump 58 through the electronic liquid valve 59 to the sputum collection box 511. The output end of the electronic liquid valve 59 is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the sputum collection box 511 through the delivery pipe 510. The sputum collection box 511 is used to temporarily store the inhaled sputum. The respiratory suction mechanism 5 integrates oxygen supply and suction functions into one integrated circuit consisting of a three-way tube 54, a suction tube 53, a delivery tube 57, and an electronic liquid valve 55. It can flexibly switch between respiratory assistance and suction modes without changing the tubing. At the same time, the inlet of the suction tube 53 is built into the air supply mask 52, and works in conjunction with the electronic air valve 51, electronic liquid valve 55, electronic liquid valve 59, and the dual-direction pump 58 to form a closed sputum treatment pathway consisting of the suction tube 53, the three-way tube 54, the delivery tube 57, the dual-direction pump 58, the delivery tube 510, and the sputum collection box 511. This effectively prevents sputum backflow and aerosol diffusion, and significantly reduces the risk of cross-infection.
[0020] In this embodiment, it is necessary to explain the driving and indexing structure of the contactless sealing mechanism 6. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 3 The contactless sealing mechanism 6 shown includes a support column 60, a processing table 61, a conversion box 62, a stepper motor 63, a worm gear 64, a rotating shaft 65, a worm wheel 66, an indexing plate 67, and a collection bottle 613. The support column 60 is installed on the rear side of the carrier box 1 to support the entire contactless sealing mechanism 6 on the carrier box 1. The bottom of the processing table 61 is fixedly connected to the top of the support column 60, serving as the mounting base for the various moving parts in the contactless sealing mechanism 6. The top of the conversion box 62 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the processing table 61, accommodating and supporting the stepper motor 63, the worm gear 64, the rotating shaft 65, and the worm wheel 66. The outer surface of the stepper motor 63 is fixedly connected to the side of the conversion box 62, providing the driving force for the indexing rotation. The outer surface of the worm 64 is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the conversion box 62, and the end of the worm 64 is fixedly connected to the output end of the stepper motor 63, for transmitting the rotational motion of the stepper motor 63 to the worm wheel 66; the outer surface of the rotating shaft 65 is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the conversion box 62, for outputting rotational motion; the inner surface of the worm wheel 66 is fixedly connected to the middle part of the rotating shaft 65, and the outer edge of the worm wheel 66 meshes with the worm 64, forming a worm wheel 66-worm gear 64 transmission pair composed of the worm 64 and the worm wheel 66, realizing the functions of speed reduction, torque increase and self-locking; the inner surface of the indexing plate 67 is fixedly connected to the top end of the rotating shaft 65, for carrying and driving the collection bottle 613 to switch positions; the collection bottle 613 is placed above the indexing plate 67, for finally collecting and sealing the sputum. The non-contact sealing mechanism 6 uses a stepper motor 63 to drive the indexing plate 67 to rotate via a worm gear 64 and a worm wheel 66 transmission pair. This allows for automatic and precise switching of the collection bottle 613 to the sealing position. The self-locking characteristic of the worm gear 66 and worm wheel 64 transmission pair ensures high-precision positioning of the indexing plate 67 when it stops. Multiple collection bottles 613 mounted on the indexing plate 67 can operate continuously, significantly improving sputum processing efficiency, and eliminating the need for direct manual contact with the collection bottles 613 throughout the entire process.
[0021] In this embodiment, it should be noted that the automatic sealing action of the collection bottle 613 is implemented in a specific manner. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 3 and Figure 4The diagram shows a mating structure consisting of a bottle cap 612 and a collection bottle 613. The contactless sealing mechanism 6 further includes a support frame 68, a cylinder 69, a guide rail 610, a slider 611, and the bottle cap 612. The bottom of the support frame 68 is fixedly connected to the top of the processing table 61, providing vertical support and a suitable mounting position. The outer surface of the cylinder 69 is fixedly connected to the side of the support frame 68, providing the driving force for the sealing action. The outer surface of the guide rail 610 is fixedly connected to the side of the support frame 68 and located below the cylinder 69, guiding the linear movement of the slider 611. The slider 611... The inner surface of the slide block 611 is slidably connected to the outer surface of the guide rail 610, allowing it to move smoothly up and down on the guide rail 610. The output end of the cylinder 69 is fixedly connected to the top of the slide block 611, enabling the cylinder 69 to directly drive the slide block 611. The top of the bottle cap 612 is installed at the bottom of the slide block 611, and the bottle cap 612 is located directly above the collection bottle 613. The bottle cap 612 is used to cooperate with the mouth of the collection bottle 613 to achieve a seal. The cylinder 69 can drive the slide block 611 to move along the guide rail 610, thereby causing the bottle cap 612 to descend and press against the mouth of the collection bottle 613, achieving automatic sealing of the collection bottle 613. The mechanical sealing method, which uses the cylinder 69 to drive the bottle cap 612 to press vertically, provides rigid pressure, stability, and reliability. It can effectively prevent leakage of sputum and aerosol release during storage and transportation, completely eliminating the risk of biological contamination and occupational exposure for operators.
[0022] Working principle: The control panel 3 is electrically connected to the electronic air valve 51, electronic liquid valve one 55, electronic liquid valve two 59, and dual-direction pump 58, realizing coordinated control of all electrical components of the whole machine. When the patient needs respiratory assistance, the electronic air valve 51 opens, and oxygen from the oxygen cylinder 50 is supplied to the patient's mouth and nose area through the gap between the air delivery mask 52 and the outside of the suction tube 53. At this time, both electronic liquid valve one 55 and electronic liquid valve two 59 are closed, ensuring that the oxygen supply channel formed by the electronic air valve 51, air delivery mask 52, and suction tube 53 is independent and unobstructed. When suctioning is required, electronic air valve 51 closes, electronic liquid valve one 55 closes, and electronic liquid valve two 59 opens. The dual-direction pump 58 rotates towards the sputum collection box 511, generating negative pressure. Sputum flows through suction tube 53, three-way tube 54, delivery tube one 57, dual-direction pump 58, and delivery tube two 510 into the sputum collection box 511 for temporary storage. The entire suctioning process is completed within a closed pipeline formed by suction tube 53, three-way tube 54, delivery tube one 57, dual-direction pump 58, delivery tube two 510, and the sputum collection box 511. When the sputum in the sputum collection box 511 needs to be transferred to the collection bottle 613, electronic liquid valve one 55 opens, electronic liquid valve two 59 closes, and the dual-direction pump 58 rotates in reverse, discharging the sputum through the discharge tube 56 into the collection bottle 613 located on the indexing plate 67. Subsequently, stepper motor 63 drives rotating shaft 65 via worm gear 64 and worm wheel 66, causing indexing plate 67 to rotate. This moves collection bottle 613 filled with sputum to the sealing position directly below bottle cap 612. Cylinder 69 drives slider 611 to descend along guide rail 610, causing bottle cap 612 to press against the mouth of collection bottle 613, completing the contactless sealing replacement. The entire machine's workflow is coherent and orderly, from respiratory assistance oxygen supply, sputum suction and temporary storage, sputum transfer to automatic bottle sealing. Each step is electrically linked and controlled, which not only simplifies the operation process for medical staff but also fully ensures biosafety during the completely enclosed sputum processing.
[0023] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0024] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A suction device with suction-assisted sputum collection function, comprising a carrier box (1), wherein an end cap (2) is installed on the top of the carrier box (1), characterized in that: It also includes a control panel (3), a filter ventilation plate (4), and a breathing suction mechanism (5). The control panel (3) is installed on the front side of the carrier box (1). The filter ventilation plate (4) is installed on both sides of the carrier box (1). The breathing suction mechanism (5) is installed inside the carrier box (1). The breathing suction mechanism (5) includes an oxygen cylinder (50), an electronic valve (51), a gas delivery hood (52), a suction tube (53), a three-way tube (54), an electronic liquid valve (55), a sputum outlet tube (56), a delivery tube (57), a dual-direction pump (58), an electronic liquid valve (59), a delivery tube (510), and a sputum collection box (511). The oxygen cylinder (50) is installed above the carrier box (1) and below the end cap (2). The outer surface of the electronic valve (51) is fixedly connected to the end of the oxygen cylinder (50). The end of the gas delivery hood (52) is fixedly connected to the end of the oxygen cylinder (50). The output end of the electronic air valve (51) is fixedly connected, the end of the suction tube (53) is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the air supply mask (52), the top end of the three-way tube (54) is fixedly connected to the other end of the suction tube (53), the input end of the electronic liquid valve (55) is fixedly connected to the left end of the three-way tube (54), the end of the sputum discharge tube (56) is fixedly connected to the output end of the electronic liquid valve (55), the end of the delivery tube (57) is fixedly connected to the right end of the three-way tube (54), the input end of the dual-way pump (58) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the delivery tube (57), the input end of the electronic liquid valve (59) is fixedly connected to the output end of the dual-way pump (58), the top end of the delivery tube (510) is fixedly connected to the output end of the electronic liquid valve (59), and the inner surface of the sputum collection box (511) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the delivery tube (510).
2. The suction device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a non-contact sealing mechanism (6), which is installed on the rear side of the carrier box (1).
3. The suction device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The non-contact sealing mechanism (6) includes a support column (60), a processing table (61), and a conversion box (62). The support column (60) is installed on the rear side of the bearing box (1). The bottom of the processing table (61) is fixedly connected to the top of the support column (60), and the top of the conversion box (62) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the processing table (61).
4. The suction device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The non-contact sealing mechanism (6) further includes a stepper motor (63), a worm (64), a rotating shaft (65), and a worm wheel (66). The outer surface of the stepper motor (63) is fixedly connected to the side of the conversion box (62). The outer surface of the worm (64) is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the conversion box (62), and the end of the worm (64) is fixedly connected to the output end of the stepper motor (63). The outer surface of the rotating shaft (65) is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the conversion box (62). The inner surface of the worm wheel (66) is fixedly connected to the middle of the rotating shaft (65), and the outer edge of the worm wheel (66) meshes with the worm (64).
5. A suctioning device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The non-contact sealing mechanism (6) also includes an indexing plate (67), the inner surface of which is fixedly connected to the top end of the rotating shaft (65).
6. A suctioning device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 5, characterized in that, The non-contact sealing mechanism (6) also includes a collection bottle (613) which is positioned above the indexing plate (67).
7. A suctioning device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The non-contact sealing mechanism (6) further includes a support frame (68), a cylinder (69), a guide rail (610), and a slider (611). The bottom of the support frame (68) is fixedly connected to the top of the processing table (61). The outer surface of the cylinder (69) is fixedly connected to the side of the support frame (68). The outer surface of the guide rail (610) is fixedly connected to the side of the support frame (68) and is located below the cylinder (69). The inner surface of the slider (611) is slidably connected to the outer surface of the guide rail (610), and the output end of the cylinder (69) is fixedly connected to the top of the slider (611).
8. A suctioning device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 7, characterized in that, The contactless sealing mechanism (6) also includes a bottle cap (612), the top of which is mounted on the bottom of the slider (611) and is located directly above the collection bottle (613).
9. A suctioning device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cylinder (69) can drive the slider (611) to move along the guide rail (610), thereby causing the bottle cap (612) to descend and press against the mouth of the collection bottle (613).
10. A suctioning device with suction-assisted sputum collection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas delivery hood (52) is installed over the output end of the electronic gas valve (51), and the inlet of the suction tube (53) is located inside the gas delivery hood (52).