CONTAMINATION PREVENTION IN THE BLOWER OF VENTILATORS

Description

[0001] Ventilation, anesthesia, and respiratory therapy devices for ventilation, respiratory support, or cough support include a blower to generate a flow of respiratory air for performing respiratory therapy. The blower housing typically contains at least one rotatably mounted fan wheel (also called an impeller) with a plurality of blade elements, which is driven by a motor.

[0002] Particularly when a blower is operated in a semi-closed circuit, as is the case with anesthesia machines, the patient's breathing air can cause contamination in hard-to-reach places, such as the drive shaft or the motor bearing of the blower.

[0003] Two fundamental problems arise when reprocessing blowers in a washer-disinfector. The first is the effect of cleaning or disinfection on the motor. Contact with the generally chemically aggressive cleaning fluids in the motor leads to, among other things, wear on bearings, damaged bonding joints, or, in the case of unfavorable material combinations, even contact corrosion. The second problem is the poor cleaning performance of hard-to-reach areas. Compared to directly accessible parts such as the fan impeller or fan impeller housing, the cleaning fluid can only reach the spaces in the hard-to-reach areas indirectly, which reduces the impact energy of the fluid and potentially also reduces the temperature.

[0004] A purely mechanical sealing of the fan housing to prevent the penetration of germs is disadvantageous in intensive care ventilation and anesthesia, since fans there have to be operated at very high speeds (50,000 to 100,000 revolutions per minute) and fully sealed bearings are subject to higher friction losses.

[0005] US 2010 / 189554 A1 and FR 2 910 081 A1 disclose a blower for a ventilator. The blower comprises a motor arranged in a motor part, a motor atrium, and a blower head in which a fan wheel driven by the motor is arranged to generate an air flow. A second fan wheel is additionally arranged in the motor part, which can generate an air flow for cooling the motor.

[0006] FR 2 910 078 B1 discloses a similar blower in which a collecting container is additionally formed between the engine atrium and the blower head, in which the oxygen escaping from the blower head and the air escaping from the engine atrium can be collected.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an efficient, durable ventilator that can be operated germ-free.

[0008] This object is achieved by a ventilator according to claim 1. Further developments and advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features will become apparent from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiments.

[0009] The invention relates to a ventilator with at least one motor-driven fan for generating an air flow. According to the invention, the fan is configured and designed such that, during the generation of the air flow, different pressure zones with different pressures are formed in the fan in such a way that air flow toward the motor is prevented.

[0010] According to the invention, the ventilator is designed such that the blower comprises at least one motor part with the motor and a drive shaft as well as a blower head with a rotatably mounted fan wheel, wherein a motor atrium is arranged between the motor part and the blower head, through which the drive shaft of the motor runs.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed such that at least one pressure region with a pressure is present in the blower head and at least one pressure region with a pressure is present in the motor atrium, wherein the pressure in the motor atrium is equal to the pressure in the blower head.

[0012] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed such that at least one pressure region with a pressure is present in the blower head and at least one pressure region with a pressure is present in the motor atrium, wherein the pressure in the motor atrium is greater than the pressure in the blower head.

[0013] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed so that the pressure in the motor atrium is constant or is dynamically adjusted to the pressure in the blower head.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed such that the pressure in the motor atrium is generated by applying the pressure and / or by a further flow.

[0015] According to the invention, the ventilator is designed such that the blower comprises at least one supply, wherein a fluid, in particular a breathing gas or a breathing gas mixture, is guided into the motor atrium through the supply.

[0016] According to the invention, a passage is arranged and arranged between the motor forecourt and the fan head, wherein the drive shaft leads from the motor through the motor forecourt and the passage to the fan wheel in the fan head.

[0017] According to the invention, the engine atrium is connected to the blower head in an essentially airtight manner, with only the passage allowing a leakage between the engine atrium and the blower head.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fan comprises a suction port with an inlet opening and a pressure port with an outlet opening, wherein the air flow is generated in the fan head and flows from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The different pressure zones are configured such that at least one additional flow is generated in the fan, wherein the additional flow flows from the engine atrium through the passage into the fan head.

[0019] In some embodiments, the ventilator is configured to generate the air flow in the blower head, flowing from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and to generate an additional flow.

[0020] In some embodiments, the ventilator is configured such that the pressure in the motor atrium is greater than the pressure in the blower head, so that the flow flows through the passage from the motor atrium into the blower head.

[0021] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed so that the motor atrium acts as a clean room lock due to the additional flow, preventing germs from the blower head from entering the motor atrium.

[0022] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed so that the motor is operated germ-free by the additional flow.

[0023] According to the invention, the ventilator is designed so that the motor atrium is subjected to pressure P2 via the supply.

[0024] In some embodiments, the fan comprises at least one discharge, wherein a fluid, in particular a breathing gas or a breathing gas mixture, is discharged from the engine atrium through the discharge, wherein the discharge is arranged on the engine atrium and / or on the engine part.

[0025] In some embodiments, the ventilator is configured such that the motor atrium is subjected to the pressure P2 via the further flow, wherein the supply and the discharge are arranged and configured to generate the further flow by supplying a fluid into the motor atrium via the supply and discharging it from the motor atrium via the discharge.

[0026] In some embodiments, the supply is arranged at the engine atrium and / or at the engine part.

[0027] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed such that the supply is arranged at the motor atrium and the motor atrium is pressurized via the supply.

[0028] In some embodiments, the supply is arranged on the motor part, wherein the motor part has at least one channel to which the supply is hermetically coupled, and wherein the channel opens into the motor atrium.

[0029] In some embodiments, the ventilator is designed so that the motor atrium is subjected to pressure via the supply and the channel and / or the pressure is generated by the further flow.

[0030] In some embodiments, the ventilator is configured such that the motor atrium includes an outlet and the further flow flows from the supply through the channel into the motor atrium and from there via the outlet.

[0031] In some embodiments, the ventilator is configured such that the further flow is directed through the at least one channel such that the further flow cools the motor.

[0032] In some embodiments, the fan is designed in one or two parts.

[0033] In some embodiments, the motor atrium is arranged and configured to allow separation of the blower head and the motor part.

[0034] The figures show exemplary embodiments of the ventilator according to the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic section of a ventilator according to the invention with a blower in cross section; Fig. 2 a schematic section of the ventilator according to the invention with the blower in cross section showing different flows and different pressure ranges; Fig. 3 a schematic section of an alternative embodiment of the ventilator according to the invention with the blower in cross section; Fig. 4 a schematic section of a further embodiment of the ventilator according to the invention with the blower in cross section.

[0035] The following exemplary embodiments describe a ventilator according to the invention. Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear in the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. The invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments.

[0036] For the purposes of the invention, a ventilator is understood to mean all devices that support a patient or other user in natural breathing and / or provide ventilation for a user or patient and / or serve for respiratory therapy and / or otherwise influence the breathing of a user or patient. These include, for example, but are not limited to, ventilators for clinical or home use, respiratory therapy devices, CPAP, APAP, and bi-level devices, high-flow therapy devices, anesthesia or anesthesia devices, clinical, home, or emergency ventilators, oxygen-delivering devices, diagnostic systems, and cough therapy devices or cough machines.

[0037] The ventilator 1 is equipped with a blower 10 housed inside the device, which includes at least one fan wheel 24, with which an air flow S is generated for ventilation or respiratory therapy. In particular, a breathing air flow S is generated for ventilation or respiratory therapy. Breathing air, within the meaning of the invention, comprises any fluid, breathing gas and / or gas mixture that is suitable and can be used for ventilation, breathing and / or respiratory therapy. Breathing air and fresh gas are used synonymously herein. The breathing air or fresh gas can also be oxygen or oxygen-enriched air. In particular, the breathing air or fresh gas can also contain at least one anesthetic gas and be suitable for anesthesia devices.

[0038] The fan 10 is controlled by a control device located inside the device. For example, the control device sets a specific speed of the fan wheel 24 depending on the therapy specifications or regulates the fan speed to a target value.

[0039] The ventilator 1 has an interface for coupling a hose system, via which a (respiratory) air flow S can be supplied to the patient or user for ventilation, respiratory support, or cough support. For this purpose, a patient interface can be connected to the hose system. Within the meaning of the invention, a patient interface is understood to be any peripheral device designed to interact with a living being. In particular, the patient interface is designed for therapeutic and / or diagnostic purposes in conjunction with the ventilator 1. The patient interface can be designed as a breathing mask. This includes, for example, but is not limited to, nasal masks, nasal cushion masks, nasal cannulas or oxygen cannulas, full-face or total-face masks, and tracheal tubes or cannulas.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic section of the ventilator 1 with the blower 10 in cross-section. The blower 10 comprises a blower head 20, a motor part 40, and a motor atrium 50.

[0041] The motor part 40 has a motor housing 42. A drive device or a motor 44 with an electric drive is mounted in the motor housing 42. To operate the motor 44, the motor part 40 can have an electrical connection 48 that can supply the motor 44 with power. The motor 44 is connected to a drive shaft 46, which can be set in rotation via the motor 44. The drive shaft 46 can be designed as a single-piece or two-piece unit. The motor 44 can be controlled via a control device of the ventilator 1, so that specific speeds can be dynamically set.

[0042] The blower head 20 has a fan housing 22 in which at least one fan 24 is arranged. The fan 24 is rotatably mounted in the fan housing 22. The fan 24 comprises a plurality of blade elements 26. To rotate the fan 24, the blower 10 has a motor 44 with an electric drive in the motor part 40. The motor 44 can transfer rotational energy to the fan 24 via the drive shaft 46. The rotational movement creates a pressure side and a vacuum side on the fan 24, creating the (breathing) air flow S with a flow direction. The flow direction is indicated by arrows in the figures. The air flow S essentially runs from an inlet opening 30 to an outlet opening 34 of the fan 1. The control device of the ventilator 1 is designed and constructed to dynamically control the fan wheel 24 and to operate it at high speeds of up to 100,000 revolutions per minute.

[0043] The fan housing 22 of the blower head 20 is typically spiral-shaped. The blower 10 comprises an intake port 28 with the inlet opening 30. The intake port 28 has a central axis 36. Blowers 10 used in ventilators 1 are typically radial blowers. In radial blowers, a fluid, for example, breathing air, enters the blower head 20 in the axial direction and exits the blower 10 perpendicular to the axial direction. In addition to breathing air, the blower 10 can also transport any other gas mixture required for respiratory therapy. The fluid, for example, breathing air, can be sucked in via the intake port 28. The breathing air enters the blower head 20 through the intake port 28 in the axial direction. The blower 10 further comprises a pressure port 32 with the outlet opening 34. The fluid can be discharged via the pressure port 32.The breathing air exits the blower head 20 through the discharge port 32 perpendicular to the axial direction. The spiral-shaped fan housing 22 ensures that the breathing air is collected in the blower head 20 and directed to the discharge port 32, where it exits the blower head 20. This prevents circular discharge flows, which lead to losses. At the same time, the spiral housing 10 converts part of the velocity energy of the breathing air into pressure energy.

[0044] Hose connections (not shown) can be connected to the suction port 28 and / or the pressure port 32. For example, fresh gas can be introduced into the fan housing 22 via a hose connection on the suction port 28. The fresh gas can be supplied to the patient via a hose connection on the pressure port 32.

[0045] Suction port 28 and / or pressure port 32 can also be used to clean and / or disinfect the blower. Cleaning and / or disinfection can be carried out, for example, by placing the blower 1 in a cleaning or disinfection device. A cleaning fluid can then be introduced into the fan housing 22 via the pressure port 32 and / or the suction port 28. Any agent suitable for cleaning and / or disinfecting the blower 1 is referred to as a cleaning fluid. Cleaning and disinfection are used synonymously herein. Cleaning can include disinfection, and disinfection can include cleaning.

[0046] For example, hose connections can be connected to the pressure port 32 and / or the suction port, connecting the blower 1 to the cleaning or disinfection device. The cleaning fluid can be introduced into the fan housing 22, for example, at a pressure of at least 50 mbar, preferably at least 80 mbar, and particularly preferably at least 100 mbar. The pressure at which the cleaning fluid is introduced should be selected to be high enough so that the cleaning fluid reaches as many areas within the blower head 20 as possible. At the same time, the pressure should be selected to be low enough so that the blower 1 is not damaged.

[0047] Chemically aggressive cleaning fluids are typically used for cleaning or disinfection. These can cause damage, particularly in the motor part 20, such as wear on bearings, negatively affecting adhesives at bonding points within the motor part 20, and / or contact corrosion. For these reasons, it is advantageous if the motor part 20 can be excluded from cleaning or disinfection, or if contact between the cleaning or disinfection agents and the motor part 40 can be prevented or at least reduced as much as possible.

[0048] For this purpose, the blower 1 has a motor atrium 50. The motor atrium 50 offers many advantages. Firstly, the motor atrium 50 is designed and constructed to prevent contamination of the motor part 40. Secondly, the motor atrium 50 can be used to prevent or avoid cleaning and / or disinfectant from reaching the motor part 40. These advantages are described in more detail below.

[0049] The motor atrium 50 has an atrium housing 52. The atrium housing 52 can be one-piece (see Fig. 1-3 ) or two-part (see Fig. 4 ) must be trained.

[0050] The atrium housing 52 is arranged between the blower head 20 and the motor part 40. The atrium housing 52 encloses the interior of the motor atrium 50. On the one hand, the atrium housing 52 is connected to the fan impeller housing 22 in a substantially airtight manner. On the other hand, the atrium housing 52 is connected to the motor housing 42 in a substantially airtight manner. The drive shaft 46 leads from the motor part 40 through the atrium housing 52 into the blower head 20. In the blower head 20, the drive shaft 46 is connected to the fan impeller 24.

[0051] A passage 54 is arranged and configured between the motor atrium 50 and the fan head 20, through which the drive shaft 46 of the motor 44 passes. The passage 54 can be mechanically sealed. Preferably, the passage 54 is not mechanically sealed in order to avoid friction losses and achieve particularly high speeds of the fan wheel 24. The passage 54 can allow for leakage between the fan head 20 and the motor atrium 50.

[0052] The blower 10 can comprise at least one supply line 60. The supply line 60 can be used to fill the engine atrium 50 with a fluid. The supply line 60 can be used to apply a pressure P to the engine atrium 50. The supply line 60 can also be used to generate a flow in the engine atrium 50 that generates a pressure P in the engine atrium 50.

[0053] Fresh gas is preferably fed into the engine atrium 50. Fresh gas can be fed into the atrium housing 52 through the supply 60, so that the engine atrium 50 can be brought to a positive pressure relative to the blower head 20. The positive pressure in the engine atrium 50 can, for example, be maintained statically at a pressure level. In some embodiments, the positive pressure in the engine atrium 50 can also be dynamically adjusted to the pressure supplied by the blower 1. For this purpose, one or more supply valves 62 can be arranged in the supply 60. The supply valves 62 can, for example, represent a staged system, wherein different pressure levels can be offered by the supply valves 62. Alternatively or additionally, a second blower 1' can also be provided, which can provide a static and / or dynamically adjusted pressure P and / or flow for the supply 60.

[0054] The feed 60 can in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 be arranged on the atrium housing 52. For this purpose, the atrium housing 52 has an opening to which the supply line 60 can be hermetically coupled. The fresh gas can be introduced directly into the engine atrium 50 via the supply line 60 to generate the overpressure.

[0055] The supply line 60 can be arranged at any suitable location on the atrium housing 52. Preferably, the supply line 60 is arranged adjacent to the motor part 40. For example, the supply line 60 is arranged in the region of the atrium housing 52 that is located at the maximum distance from the blower head 20.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows a schematic section of the ventilator 1 with the blower 10 in cross section showing different flows S, S1 and different pressure ranges PB0, PB1, PB2.

[0057] In Fig. 2 The pressure conditions within blower 1 are shown schematically and in a simplified manner. Different areas within blower 1, each of which has a substantially identical pressure P, are shown with different shaded areas. During operation of blower 1, essentially three pressure ranges can exist: PB0, PB1, and PB2.

[0058] In the suction nozzle 28 and in the area in front of the fan wheel 24 there can be a pressure range PB0 in which a pressure P0 is present.

[0059] In the flow direction downstream of the fan wheel 24 toward the outlet opening 34 and in the pressure port 32, an increased pressure P1 generated by the fan wheel 24 can be present in a pressure area PB1. Accordingly, the pressure P1 also prevails downstream of the fan wheel 24 in the area of the passage 54. When the blower 1 is operating, the pressure P1 is greater than the pressure P0.

[0060] A pressure range PB2 can be located in the engine atrium 50, in which a pressure P2 is present. The pressure range PB2 in the engine atrium 50 is brought to pressure P2 via the supply line 60. Preferably, the pressure P2 is greater than the pressure P1. Because the pressure P2 is greater than the pressure P1, the penetration of the respiratory air contaminated with germs during operation is prevented. Therefore, in the blower 1, P2 > P1 > P0 preferably applies. In particular, during operation of the blower 1, P2 > P1 > P0 applies.

[0061] Due to the overpressure in the engine atrium 50, a small constant air flow, an additional flow S1, can preferably be created from the engine atrium 50 into the blower head 20.

[0062] The additional flow S1 prevents germs from entering the motor atrium 50. In particular, the additional flow S1 prevents germs from the patient's breathing air, which enters the blower head 20 in a semi-closed circuit, from passing from the blower head 20 into the motor atrium 50. The motor atrium 50 can thus be designed and configured as a clean room lock, which, in the sense of the invention, means that the motor atrium 50 is at least low-germ and preferably germ-free. Because the motor atrium 50 is low-germ or germ-free, the motor part 40 can also be operated in a low-germ or germ-free manner.

[0063] For the purposes of the invention, germs include all airborne particles that are undesirable in the blower 1 and can have negative effects on the patient. Germs include, in particular, microorganisms and / or microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, algae, parasites, prions, protists, viruses, or viroids, as well as their derivatives or precursors such as fungal spores, spores, allergens, toxins, and the like. Germs can be understood, in particular, as pathogens and / or pathogens.

[0064] In this embodiment, the pressure P2 is preferably kept constant. The additional flow S1 is created by the illustrated pressure ratios of P0, P1, and P2 and the passage 54 arranged between the fan housing 22 and the atrium housing 52. The flow S1 flows from the atrium housing 52 through the passage 54 into the fan housing 22. In the fan housing 22, the flow S1 can combine with the air flow S and be conveyed to the outlet opening 34.

[0065] Fresh gas, which may also be intended for the patient, is preferably introduced into the motor atrium 52 via the supply line 60. By using fresh gas to create the positive pressure in the motor atrium 50, part of the gas supply required to refresh the patient's breathing air can be provided through the intended leakage of the passage 54.

[0066] The air flow of the additional flow S1 prevents germs from entering the motor atrium 50 from the blower head 20. The air flow of the additional flow S1 also prevents germs from reaching the motor part 40. The motor part 40 and / or the motor atrium 50 can thus be exempted from cleaning and / or disinfection after operation of the blower 1 by means of a clean room lock in the motor atrium 50.

[0067] During cleaning and / or disinfection, the blower 1 can be placed into a cleaning or disinfection device, for example with the motor part 40 facing upwards and the blower head 20 facing downwards. A cleaning fluid can then be introduced into the fan housing 22 via the pressure port 32 and / or the suction port 28, preferably completely filling it. Gravity essentially keeps the cleaning fluid in the lower blower head 20. However, cleaning fluid can potentially inadvertently enter the motor atrium 50 via the passage 54. To prevent the cleaning fluid from reaching the motor part 40 and causing damage there, the motor atrium 50 is arranged between the blower head 20 and the motor part 40. In addition, the motor atrium 50 can contain special protective mechanisms that are designed and constructed to keep the cleaning fluid away from the motor part.

[0068] In some embodiments, for example, one or more baffles 76 may be arranged in the atrial housing 52 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ). The impact elements 76 are configured and designed to keep cleaning fluid in the form of splash water away from the motor part 40. The impact elements 76 can, for example, be designed in the form of one or more baffles that divide the atrium housing into two sections and leave the smallest possible clearance only in the area of the drive shaft 46.

[0069] In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, one or more drainage openings (not shown) can be arranged in the atrium housing 52. During operation of the blower 1, the drainage openings can be hermetically sealed. For a cleaning and / or disinfection process, however, the drainage openings can be opened so that potentially penetrating cleaning fluid can be drained from the motor atrium 50 before it reaches the motor part 40. In some embodiments, additionally arranged baffle elements 76 can advantageously be arranged and designed for this purpose to direct the penetrating cleaning fluid to the drainage openings of the motor atrium 50.

[0070] In alternative embodiments, the vestibule housing 52 may alternatively or additionally have a special shape that can keep potentially penetrating cleaning fluid away from the motor part 20 (not shown). For example, the vestibule housing 52 may have one or more constrictions, creating one or more narrows that can keep splashing cleaning fluid away from the motor part 40. In an exemplary embodiment, the motor vestibule 50 may have an hourglass shape.

[0071] Fig. 3 shows a schematic section of an alternative embodiment of the ventilator 1 with the blower 10 in cross section.

[0072] Figur 3 shows that the supply line 60 can also be arranged on the motor part 40. For this purpose, the motor part 40 has an opening to which the supply line 60 can be hermetically coupled. The opening is designed, for example, as at least one channel 49. The at least one channel 49 connects the supply line 60 to the interior of the atrium housing 52. Multiple supplies 60 and / or multiple channels 49 can also be provided through the motor part 40. Fresh gas can be introduced via the supply line 60 through the channel 49 into the atrium housing 52.

[0073] The fresh gas can be used according to the embodiment described above to generate a constant pressure in the atrial housing 52.

[0074] In this exemplary embodiment, the fresh gas introduced into the atrium housing 52 via the channel 49 can preferably also be used to generate a further flow S2. For this purpose, the blower 1 can, in some embodiments, comprise a discharge 70. The discharge 70 can also have one or more discharge valves 72 and / or throttle elements 74.

[0075] The discharge 70 is configured and designed, for example, to constantly direct the flow S2 through the at least one channel 49 and the atrium housing 52. The flow S2 can also be dynamically adapted to the (breathing) air flow S generated in the blower head 20. The discharge valves 72 and / or throttle elements 74 in the discharge 70 can be configured such that the pressure P2 in the motor atrium 50 is always higher than the pressure P1 in the blower head 20. Thus, the pressure P2 can be dynamically adapted to the pressure conditions in the blower head 20.

[0076] The channel 49 can, in an exemplary embodiment, run straight through the length of the motor part 40 (see Fig. 3 ). In some embodiments, it is possible for the channel 49 to travel the longest possible path in the motor part 40. For example, the channel 49 can loop through the motor part 40 and / or have one or more branches. In some embodiments, it is also conceivable for multiple channels 49 to pass through the motor part 49 (not shown).

[0077] The channel 49, or the multiple channels 49, offer the additional advantage that the motor part 40 or the motor 44 can be cooled by the air flow of the fresh gas. Cooling of the motor 44 during operation is usually necessary. The formation of the channels 49 can eliminate additional cooling devices for the motor 44. At the same time, the passage of the fresh gas through the motor part 40 offers the advantage that the fresh gas can be heated. Heated fresh gas can be beneficial and / or necessary for respiratory therapy and / or ventilation.

[0078] The flow S2 can flow essentially from the inlet 60 through the channel 49 into the atrial housing 52. From the atrial housing 52, the flow S2 can be discharged essentially through the outlet 70.

[0079] The flow S2 can generate an overpressure in the motor atrium 50. The overpressure in the motor atrium, in turn, creates the additional flow S1, which flows from the motor atrium 50 into the fan head 20. The flow S1, which is created by the overpressure in the motor atrium 50, flows through the passage 54 into the fan housing 22. In the fan housing 22, the flow S1 can combine with the air flow S and be conveyed to the outlet opening 34.

[0080] The flow S2 discharged through the discharge 70 can advantageously remain in the semi-closed circuit. The flow S2 discharged through the discharge 70 can then be fed back to the supply 60, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the flow S2 discharged through the discharge 70 can also be introduced into the blower head 20 via the intake port 28, where it can be used to generate the (breathing) air flow S.

[0081] Fig. 4 shows a schematic section of another embodiment of the ventilator 1 with the blower 10 in cross section. Fig. 4 shows that in some embodiments, the motor atrium 50 can be configured and designed such that a separation of the blower head 20 and the motor 40 is possible.

[0082] In some embodiments, the motor atrium 50 can be detachably coupled to the blower head 20 and / or to the motor part 40 (not shown). In an advantageous embodiment, the atrium housing 52 can also be formed in two parts (see Fig. 4 ). A two-part motor atrium may comprise two atrium housing parts 52i and 52ii and a housing coupling 58.

[0083] The atrial housing parts 52i, 52ii can be positively and / or non-positively coupled to one another via the housing coupling 58. Preferably, the atrial housing parts 52i, 52ii are coupled to one another in an airtight manner. When the atrial housing parts 52i, 52ii are coupled to one another in an airtight manner, the blower 1 can be activated and a (respiratory) air flow S can be generated.

[0084] The coupling can be reversible or irreversible. Preferably, the coupling is reversible. A reversible coupling of the atrial housing parts 52i, 52ii offers the advantage that the blower 1 can be separated. Separating the blower 1 can be advantageous, for example, for cleaning or disinfection and / or for other processing and / or for maintenance or repair purposes.

[0085] For the purpose of separating the fan 1, the drive shaft 46 can also be designed in two parts and include an axle coupling 47. During operation, the drive shaft 46 can be positively and / or non-positively connected via the axle coupling 47. To separate the fan 1, the axle coupling 47 can be released. The axle coupling 47 can be arranged at any area within the drive shaft 46. In the specific embodiment according to Fig. 4 the axle coupling 47 is arranged in the area of the drive shaft 46 which is located in the engine atrium 50.

[0086] For example, the blower 1 can be separated in preparation for cleaning and / or disinfection. This makes it possible to dispense with the reprocessing of the motor part 20, since, as described above, the motor part 20 was not exposed to contamination during operation. Thus, the motor part 20 can be protected from damage during a cleaning process. When the blower 1 is separated, only the contaminated area, namely the blower head 20 and / or the motor forecourt 50, can be cleaned or disinfected.

[0087] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, modifications are possible in such a way that individual features are omitted or different combinations of the described individual features can be implemented, provided that the scope of the appended claims is not exceeded. The present disclosure includes all combinations of the individual features presented. Bezugszeichenliste

[0088] 1 Ventilator 10 Blower 20 Blower head 22 Fan housing 24 Fan wheel 26 Blade elements 28 Suction nozzle 30 Inlet opening 32 Pressure nozzle 34 Outlet opening 36 Central axis 40 Motor part 42 Motor housing 44 Motor 46 Drive shaft 47 Axis coupling 48 Electrical connection 49 Channel 50 Motor atrium 52 Atrial housing 52i, 52ii Atrial housing parts 54 Feedthrough 58 Housing coupling 60 Supply 62 Supply valves 70 Discharge 72 Discharge valves 74 Throttle elements 76 Impact elements PPressure PB0, PB1, PB2Pressure ranges S(Air) flow S1Additional flow S2Further flow

Claims

1. A ventilator (1), comprising: a fan (10) for generating an air flow (S) in the fan (10), wherein the fan (10) comprises: a fan head (20) with a rotatably mounted fan wheel (24); at least one motor part (40) with at least one motor (44) for operating the fan (10), wherein the motor (44) has a drive shaft (46) for driving the fan wheel (24); a motor pre-chamber (50) arranged between the motor part (40) and the fan head (20); a passage (54) arranged between the motor pre-chamber (50) and the fan head (20), wherein the drive shaft (46) leads from the motor (44) through the motor pre-chamber (50) and the passage (54) to the fan wheel (24) in the fan head (20), wherein the motor pre-chamber (50) is connected in a substantially air-tight manner to the fan head (20), such that a leak between the motor pre-chamber (50) and the fan head (20) is only possible via the passage (54); at least one feed line (60) arranged on the motor pre-chamber (50) and / or on the motor part (40) for conducting a fluid into the motor pre-chamber (50); characterized in that the fan (10) is designed such that, when the air flow (S) is generated, a first pressure is present in at least one first pressure region (PB1) in the fan head (20) and a second pressure is present in at least one second pressure region (PB2) in the motor pre-chamber (50), wherein the second pressure is applied to the motor pre-chamber (50) via the feed line (60) and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure, such that an air flow in a direction (S) towards the motor (44) is prevented.

2. The ventilator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fan (10) is designed such that the second pressure is constant or can be dynamically adapted to the first pressure.

3. The ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan (10) also comprises: an intake port (28) with an inlet opening (30); a discharge port (32) with an outlet opening (34); wherein the fan (10) is designed such that the air flow (S) flows from the inlet opening (30) to the outlet opening (34) and, due to the different pressure regions (PB1, PB2), at least one additional flow (S1) from the motor pre-chamber (50) through the passage (54) and into the fan head (20) is generated.

4. The ventilator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the motor pre-chamber (50) is designed such, due to the additional flow (S1), it functions as a clean room airlock in order to prevent germs from the fan head (20) from entering the motor pre-chamber (50) and / or the motor (44) and thus to enable germ-free operation of the motor (44).

5. The ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan (10) also comprises at least one discharge line (70) arranged on the motor pre-chamber (50) and / or on the motor part (40) for discharging the fluid from the motor pre-chamber (50).

6. The ventilator (1) according to claim 5, wherein the feed line (60) and the discharge line (70) are designed to generate a further flow (S2) in that the fluid is introduced into the motor pre-chamber (50) via the feed line (60) and discharged from the motor pre-chamber (50) via the discharge line (70), wherein the second pressure is applied to the motor pre-chamber (50) via the further flow (S2).

7. The ventilator (1) according to claim 6, wherein the motor part (40) has at least one channel (49), to which the feed line (60) is coupled in an air-tight manner, wherein the channel (49) opens into the motor pre-chamber (50), wherein the second pressure is applied to the motor pre-chamber (50) via the feed line (60) and the channel (49).

8. The ventilator (1) according to claim 7, wherein the motor pre-chamber (50) comprises the discharge line (70) and the further flow (S2) flows from the feed line (60) through the channel (49) into the motor pre-chamber (50) and from there via the discharge line (70).

9. The ventilator (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the channel (49) is designed to conduct the further flow (S2) such that the further flow (S2) cools the motor (44).

10. The ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan (10) is designed in one piece or in two pieces.

11. The ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor pre-chamber (50) is designed such that it is possible to separate the fan head (20) from the motor part (40).