CPAP device

Abstract

To humidify air in a circulation passage without supplying an excessive amount of liquid to the circulation passage of air.SOLUTION: A CPAP device comprises a blower, which forcibly feeds air, and a humidifier into which air forcibly fed from the blower can flow and which is capable of humidifying the flowing-in air. The humidifier includes: a tank 31 which defines a storage space D of a liquid; a circulation passage 82 in which air forcibly fed from the blower can be circulated; and a heater 61 capable of heating the storage space. The tank 31 includes a tank opening 34 and a gas / liquid permselective membrane 60 separating the inside of the tank 31 and the inside of the circulation passage 82. The gas / liquid permselective membrane 60 is a membrane which allows a gas to pass from the inside of the tank 31 to the circulation passage 82 and, on the other hand, prevents the liquid from passing from the inside of the tank 31 to the circulation passage 82. An upper end of the gas / liquid permselective membrane 60 is positioned in a downward direction DW with respect to a lower end of the tank opening 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to CPAP devices. [Background technology]

[0002] The CPAP device described in Patent Document 1 includes a blower and a humidifier. The blower pressurizes air toward the humidifier. The humidifier includes a casing, a storage tank, and a heater. Inside the casing, an air flow passage is defined through which the air pressurized from the blower flows. The storage tank can store liquid. The storage tank is located inside the casing. The heater can heat the inside of the casing. The storage tank has a notch. Through the notch, a space in the storage tank communicates with the air flow passage. As a result, the liquid in the storage tank is led out through the notch into the flow passage. The size of the notch is determined so that a thin liquid layer is formed inside the casing. The liquid layer is heated by the heater and vaporized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2005-506157 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The storage tank described in Patent Document 1 has a small cutout so that a thin liquid layer is formed. The evaporation speed of the liquid varies depending on the respiratory flow rate of the user of the CPAP device. Therefore, when the respiratory flow rate of the user of the CPAP device increases, the supply of liquid may not be enough due to the small cutout. On the other hand, if the size of the cutout is designed to be large, an excessive amount of liquid may be supplied to the air circulation passage. The CPAP device described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of humidifying the air in the circulation passage without supplying an excessive amount of liquid to the air circulation passage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a CPAP device comprising: a blower that pressurizes air; and a humidifier into which the air pressurized from the blower can flow and which can humidify the flowing-in air, the humidifier comprising: a tank that partitions a liquid storage space; a flow passage through which the air pressurized from the blower can flow; and a heater that can heat the storage space, the tank having an opening and a gas-liquid selective permeable membrane that separates the interior of the tank from the interior of the flow passage, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane being a membrane that allows gas to pass from the interior of the tank to the flow passage while not allowing liquid to pass from the interior of the tank to the flow passage, and an upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane being positioned downward relative to a lower end of the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to continuously humidify the air flowing through the flow passage while preventing liquid from being supplied to the flow passage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a CPAP device in use. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a CPAP device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a CPAP device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a part of the CPAP device. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 is a side view of a part of the CPAP device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tank. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an end view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an end view of the CPAP device of the modification example. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an end view of the CPAP device of the modification example.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (hereinafter referred to as a CPAP device) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings may show the components enlarged for easy understanding. The dimensional ratios of the components may be different from the actual ones or those in another drawing.

[0009] <Overall Configuration of the CPAP Device> As shown in FIG. 1, the CPAP device 10 includes a main unit MU and a sub-unit SU. In the state where the sub-unit SU is attached to the main unit MU, the CPAP device 10 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole.

[0010] Here, when the CPAP device 10 is used, the CPAP device 10 is placed on a flat placement surface. In this state, the CPAP device 10 and the placement surface are in contact with each other at three or more points. The direction perpendicular to the placement surface and from the placement surface toward the CPAP device 10 is defined as the upward direction UP. The direction perpendicular to the placement surface and opposite to the upward direction UP is defined as the downward direction DW. The downward direction DW is described as coinciding with the direction of gravity. The axis parallel to the placement surface and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the CPAP device 10 is defined as the first axis X. The axis perpendicular to the first axis X and parallel to the placement surface is defined as the second axis Y. In addition, one of the directions along the first axis X is defined as the first positive direction X1, and the direction opposite to the first positive direction X1 among the directions along the first axis X is defined as the first negative direction X2. Further, one of the directions along the second axis Y is defined as a second positive direction Y1, and the direction along the second axis Y opposite to the second positive direction Y1 is defined as a second negative direction Y2.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 3, the main unit MU includes a housing 11. The housing 11 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a cavity therein. As shown in Fig. 2, the main unit MU includes a blower 20 that compresses and blows air. The blower 20 is stored in the housing 11. Although not shown in the figure, the blower 20 includes an electric motor, a blower fan rotated by the electric motor, and the like.

[0012] Further, the main unit MU includes an upstream flow path 71 and a downstream flow path 72. The upstream flow path 71 and the downstream flow path 72 are defined within the housing 11. The upstream end of the upstream flow path 71 opens toward the outside of the housing 11. The downstream end of the upstream flow path 71 is connected to the upstream side of the blower 20. The upstream end of the downstream flow path 72 is connected to the downstream side of the blower 20. The downstream end of the downstream flow path 72 opens toward the outside of the housing 11. Therefore, the blower 20 sucks in air in the upstream flow path 71 and blows it to the downstream flow path 72.

[0013] 3, the main unit MU includes an operation unit 21. The operation unit 21 is exposed on the upper surface of the housing 11. The operation unit 21 is a physical push button for turning the CPAP device 10 on and off, etc.

[0014] The subunit SU of the CPAP device 10 includes a base 12 and a humidifier 30. The base 12 is a substantially rectangular box shape elongated along a first axis X. The inside of the base 12 is hollow. The base 12 stores wiring and the like (not shown) therein.

[0015] The humidifier 30 has an overall rectangular parallelepiped appearance. Air compressed by the blower 20 can flow into the humidifier 30. The humidifier 30 can humidify the air that flows into the humidifier 30. The structure of the humidifier 30 will be described in detail later.

[0016] 1, the subunit SU has an overall L-shape when viewed from the direction along the second axis Y. By attaching the main unit MU to the subunit SU, the CPAP device 10 becomes substantially rectangular, as described above.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 30 includes an inflow passage 81, a circulation passage 82, a heater 61, and a tank 31. The inflow passage 81 is defined in the humidifier 30. The upstream end of the inflow passage 81 opens toward the outside of the humidifier 30. The downstream end of the inflow passage 81 opens toward the outside of the humidifier 30 at a location different from the upstream end. The circulation passage 82 is defined in the humidifier 30. The upstream end of the circulation passage 82 opens toward the outside of the humidifier 30 at a location different from the end of the inflow passage 81. The downstream end of the circulation passage 82 opens toward the outside of the humidifier 30 at a location different from the end and the upstream end of the inflow passage 81. The tank 31 defines a liquid storage space S. The heater 61 has a heating element. The heater 61 is capable of heating the storage space S. In this embodiment, the storage space S is a space partitioned by the heater 61 and the tank 31. That is, a wall portion S1 partitioning the storage space S is formed by a wall portion of the tank 31 and a heater wall 42 described later.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the CPAP device 10 includes a tube 91 and a mask 92. The tube 91 is tubular through which air blown by the blower 20 can flow. The upstream end of the tube 91 is detachable from the downstream end of the flow passage 82. The mask 92 is detachable from the downstream end of the tube 91. When the CPAP device 10 is in use, the mask 92 is attached to cover the nose or mouth of the user.

[0019] <About the air flow path of the CPAP device when in use> In the state where the sub-unit SU is attached to the main unit MU of the CPAP device 10, each flow path of the main unit MU and each passage of the sub-unit SU are connected as one. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the CPAP device 10 is in use, the upstream end of the upstream-side flow path 71 in the main unit MU is connected to the downstream end of the inflow passage 81 in the sub-unit SU. Also, the downstream end of the downstream-side flow path 72 in the main unit MU is connected to the upstream end of the distribution passage 82 in the sub-unit SU. Therefore, when the blower 20 is driven in the state where the CPAP device 10 is in use, the air taken in from the inflow passage 81 reaches the blower 20 through the upstream-side flow path 71. And the air blown by the blower 20 reaches the mask 92 through the downstream-side flow path 72, the distribution passage 82, and the tube 91.

[0020] <Regarding the electrical configuration of the CPAP device> As shown in FIG. 2, the main unit MU includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes circuitry including one or more processors. The control unit 100 may be a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a combination thereof. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 100 also includes peripheral circuits such as a power supply circuit and a clock circuit.

[0021] The control unit 100 acquires a signal from the operation unit 21. Based on the signal acquired from the operation unit 21, the control unit 100 outputs a control signal to the blower 20 and the heater 61 of the humidifier 30. And the control unit 100 controls the power supply to the blower 20 and the heater 61 of the humidifier 30 by this control signal.

[0022] The main unit MU includes a power input terminal T. The power input terminal T can connect a power cable from an external power source. The external power source is, for example, an AC / DC converter CV that converts AC power from a commercial AC power supply PS into DC power. The blower 20 of the main unit MU receives power supply via the power input terminal T.

[0023] The main unit MU includes a first connector C1. The first connector C1 is a group of signal lines, power lines, etc. The main unit MU supplies power to the sub-unit SU via the first connector C1. The main unit MU also transmits and receives data to and from the sub-unit SU via the first connector C1.

[0024] The subunit SU includes a second connector C2. The second connector C2 is a group of a plurality of signal lines, power lines, etc. The second connector C2 is connected to the first connector C1 when the CPAP device 10 is in use. The heater 61 of the humidifier 30 receives power from the main unit MU via the second connector C2.

[0025] <About humidifiers> 3 and 4, the humidifier 30 includes an inner cover 50 and an outer cover 55. The inner cover 50 further includes a cover body 51, a first cylindrical wall 52, a second cylindrical wall 53, and a partition wall 54. These four members are integrally molded.

[0026] The cover body 51 has an overall rectangular shape elongated in the direction along the first axis X. The main surface of the cover body 51 is parallel to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. The main surface of the cover body 51 is the surface of the cover body 51 that has the largest area.

[0027] An end of the cover body 51 on the first negative direction X2 side is bent toward the downward direction DW. Similarly, an end of the cover body 51 on the second positive direction Y1 side and an end of the cover body 51 on the second negative direction Y2 side are bent toward the downward direction DW. In other words, the cover body 51 has a recessed shape that is convex toward the upward direction UP. The cover body 51 is fitted into the base 12 so that the inside of the recess faces the base 12.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 7, the cover body 51 has a first opening 51A and a second opening 51B. The first opening 51A penetrates the cover body 51 from top to bottom. As shown in Fig. 4, the first opening 51A has a generally rectangular shape elongated in the direction along the first axis X. Specifically, the first opening 51A extends slightly inclined with respect to the first axis X so as to face the second negative direction Y2.

[0029] 7, the second opening 51B passes through the cover main body 51 in the vertical direction. The second opening 51B is located on the second negative direction Y2 side with respect to the first opening 51A. The second opening 51B has a substantially trapezoidal shape.

[0030] The first cylindrical wall 52 has a semi-cylindrical shape that is convex in the upward direction UP. The first cylindrical wall 52 blocks the first opening 51A from the upward direction UP. That is, the first cylindrical wall 52 extends in a direction along the first axis X as a whole, similar to the first opening 51A. A first end of the first cylindrical wall 52 is located at the end of the cover body 51 in the first positive direction X1. A second end of the first cylindrical wall 52 is located at the end of the first opening 51A on the first negative direction X2 side. In a state where the inner cover 50 is alone, the first cylindrical wall 52 is open toward the downward direction DW through the first opening 51A. This open portion is closed by a wall portion of the tank 31 described later.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, the second cylindrical wall 53 has a cylindrical shape with an open upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the second cylindrical wall 53 is connected to the end of the first cylindrical wall 52 on the first negative direction X2 side. As shown in Fig. 3, the second cylindrical wall 53 vertically penetrates an outer cover 55 described later.

[0032] 4, the space inside the second cylindrical wall 53 communicates with the space partitioned by the first cylindrical wall 52. This continuous space can take in air from the outside of the humidifier 30 and allow the air to pass through. That is, the passage partitioned by the first cylindrical wall 52 and the second cylindrical wall 53 is a circulation passage 82 through which air pressurized by the blower 20 can flow. The upper end of the second cylindrical wall 53 is the downstream end of the circulation passage 82.

[0033] The partition wall 54 rises from the end of the cover body 51 in the first positive direction X1 toward the upward direction UP. The partition wall 54 has a first ventilation opening 81A and a second ventilation opening 82A. The first ventilation opening 81A is the downstream end of the inflow passage 81. The second ventilation opening 82A is the upstream end of the circulation passage 82.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer cover 55 is a substantially rectangular box-shaped long side along the first axis X. The outer cover 55 is open in the downward direction DW. The dimension of the outer cover 55 along the first axis X is approximately half the dimension of the base 12 along the first axis X. The dimension of the outer cover 55 along the second axis Y is approximately the same as the dimension of the base 12 along the second axis Y. The outer cover 55 is attached to the base 12 from the upward direction UP so as to cover the inner cover 50. The wall portion of the outer cover 55 on the first positive direction X1 side is connected to the partition wall 54 of the inner cover 50. When the outer cover 55 is attached to the base 12, the surface of the outer cover 55 facing the first positive direction X1 side and the surface of the partition wall 54 facing the first positive direction X1 side are approximately flush with each other. As described above, the second cylindrical wall 53 vertically penetrates the outer cover 55. Therefore, the downstream end of the flow passage 82 is located outside the outer cover 55.

[0035] When the outer cover 55 is attached to the base 12, a space is defined between the outer cover 55 and the inner cover 50. This space is an inflow passage 81 of the humidifier 30. Although not shown in the drawings, air can flow between the outer cover 55 and the inner cover 50 via a through hole that penetrates the outer cover 55.

[0036] <About the humidifier tank> 6, the humidifier 30 includes the tank 31, a sealant 35, and an upper lid 36. The tank 31 has a box-shaped portion 32 and a cylindrical portion 33. The walls of the box-shaped portion 32 and the cylindrical portion 33 are part of a wall portion S1 that defines the storage space S.

[0037] When the box-shaped portion 32 is viewed in the downward direction DW, the box-shaped portion 32 has a generally trapezoidal shape. Specifically, the dimension of the box-shaped portion 32 in the direction along the second axis Y becomes smaller toward the first negative direction X2.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, when the box-shaped portion 32 is viewed in the first negative direction X2, the box-shaped portion 32 is divided into two parts with different vertical dimensions. Specifically, approximately half of the box-shaped portion 32 on the second negative direction Y2 side is the storage portion 32A with a larger vertical dimension. Approximately half of the box-shaped portion 32 on the second positive direction Y1 side is the heating portion 32B with a smaller vertical dimension. The internal spaces of the storage portion 32A and the heating portion 32B are connected. In addition, the wall portion of the storage portion 32A on the downward direction DW side and the wall portion of the heating portion 32B on the downward direction DW side are an integral, approximately planar bottom wall 41. The bottom wall 41 is the wall portion of the tank 31 located at the most downward direction DW side. The bottom wall 41 of the tank 31 is a part of the bottom wall S2 that partitions the storage space S. Further, the bottom wall S2 that partitions the storage space S is the wall portion located furthest in the downward direction DW among the wall portions S1 that partition the storage space S. In this embodiment, the bottom wall S2 that partitions the storage space S is parallel to the first axis X and the second axis Y. That is, the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31 is parallel to the first axis X and the second axis Y.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 6, the storage section 32A is substantially trapezoidal. The outer shape of the storage section 32A corresponds to the shape of the second opening 51B of the inner cover 50 described above. As shown in Fig. 7, the storage section 32A has an inflow hole IL. The inflow hole IL opens in the wall portion of the storage section 32A facing most upward in the UP direction. The inflow hole IL is circular.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the heating section 32B has five outlet holes OL. The five outlet holes OL are open in the wall portion of the heating section 32B that is located most upward in the UP direction. Each outlet hole OL is circular. Furthermore, each outlet hole OL has the same dimensions. As shown in FIG. 6, the five outlet holes OL are aligned in a row in the direction along the first axis X as a whole.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the cylindrical portion 33 has a generally cylindrical shape with an open upper end and a closed lower end. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 33 is connected to the inlet IL in the storage portion 32A of the box-shaped portion 32. The cylindrical portion 33 has an inner diameter that gradually increases from the lower end to the upper end. The opening at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 33 is a tank opening 34 located at the most upward UP side of the tank 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 31 penetrates the outer cover 55 from top to bottom. Therefore, the tank opening 34 of the tank 31 is located outside the outer cover 55. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 33 is fixed to the outer cover 55. That is, the tank 31 is fixed to the outer cover 55.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31 is detachable from the portion of the tank 31 other than the bottom wall 41. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bottom wall 41 is the first portion 31A. Meanwhile, the portion of the tank 31 other than the bottom wall 41 is the second portion 31B located in the upward direction UP with respect to the first portion 31A. In other words, the second portion 31B is detachable from the first portion 31A including the bottom wall S2 that divides the storage space S. Note that "detachable" here means that the tank 31 can be removed or attached by fingers or the like without irreversible destruction and without using a special tool.

[0043] 6, the seal 35 is in the shape of a substantially elliptical ring. The seal 35 is attached to the surface of the uppermost wall portion of the heating unit 32B of the tank 31 in the upper direction UP. The seal 35 surrounds five outflow holes OL. The seal 35 is made of synthetic rubber.

[0044] 7, the top lid 36 is in the shape of a substantially circular plate. The center of the top lid 36 is convex toward the upward direction UP. The top lid 36 is detachable from the tank opening 34. By fitting the top lid 36 into the tank opening 34, the entire tank opening 34 is closed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the tank 31 is provided with five gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60. The five gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 are attached to the box-shaped portion 32 so as to block the outflow holes OL, respectively. The gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 separate the inside and outside of the tank 31. The gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 prevent the flow of liquid and allow the flow of only gas. The gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 are, for example, TEMISH (registered trademark) (manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation). As shown in FIG. 7, since the cylindrical portion 33 is located on the upward UP side with respect to the box-shaped portion 32, the upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 is located on the downward DW side with respect to the lower end of the tank opening 34.

[0046] 7, in a state in which the tank 31 is fixed to the outer cover 55, a part of the tank 31 is located in a space partitioned by the inner cover 50 and the base 12. Specifically, the storage portion 32A of the tank 31 penetrates the cover body 51 through the second opening 51B of the cover body 51. That is, a part of the storage portion 32A and the cylindrical portion 33 are located on the upward UP side with respect to the cover body 51. In addition, a part of the storage portion 32A and the heating portion 32B are located on the downward DW side with respect to the main surface of the cover body 51.

[0047] When the tank 31 is fixed to the outer cover 55, the wall portion of the heating portion 32B in the upward direction UP is in contact with the inner cover 50 via the seal material 35. Specifically, the seal material 35 is in contact with the edge of the first opening 51A and the lower end of the second cylindrical wall 53. Therefore, when the tank 31 is fixed to the outer cover 55, five gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 are exposed from the first opening 51A. The gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 face the first cylindrical wall 52. That is, a part of the flow passage 82 is partitioned by the wall portion of the tank 31 including the gas-liquid selective permeable membranes 60 and the first cylindrical wall 52. In other words, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 separates the inside of the tank 31 from the inside of the flow passage 82. The gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 allows the passage of gas from the inside of the tank 31 to the flow passage 82, while not allowing liquid to pass from the inside of the tank 31 to the flow passage 82.

[0048] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the tank 31 is fixed to the outer cover 55, the portion of the flow passage 82 defined by the first cylindrical wall 52 is located on the downward direction DW side with respect to the tubular portion 33 of the tank 31.

[0049] <Internal structure of the tank> As described above, the humidifier 30 includes the heater 61. The heater 61 has a generally rectangular plate shape elongated in the direction along the first axis X. As shown in FIG. 7, the heater 61 is attached to the tank 31. Specifically, the heater 61 is attached to the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31. The heater 61 is exposed from the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31. The liquid in the storage space S is heated by the heater 61.

[0050] The wall portion S1 that divides the storage space S has a heater wall 42 where the heater 61 is present. Specifically, the bottom wall S2 that divides the storage space S has the heater wall 42. That is, the heater wall 42 is located at the most downward direction DW position of the wall portion S1 that divides the storage space S. In this embodiment, the heater wall 42 is a portion of the heater 61 that is exposed from the tank 31. In addition, the bottom wall S2 that divides the storage space S has a non-heater wall 42A where the heater wall 42 is not provided. In this embodiment, the non-heater wall 42A coincides with the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31.

[0051] The heater wall 42 is coated with a hydrophilic coating. As a result, the hydrophilicity of the heater wall 42 is greater than the hydrophilicity of the wall portion S1 that divides the storage space S, excluding the heater wall 42. In other words, the hydrophilicity of the heater wall 42 is greater than that of the non-heater wall 42A. Note that "high hydrophilicity" means that when a liquid is dropped onto the surface of a component, the contact angle between the liquid droplet on the component and the surface of the component is close to 0 degrees.

[0052] In addition, the wall portion S1 that partitions the storage space S has an opposing wall 43 that faces the heater wall 42. The opposing wall 43 is a part of the wall portion of the heating section 32B in the upward direction UP. In other words, the opposing wall 43 is located on the upward UP side of the heater wall 42. In addition, the opposing wall 43 includes a gas-liquid selective permselective membrane 60.

[0053] Now, suppose that an imaginary line segment V1 is drawn to connect the heater wall 42 and the opposing wall 43 at the shortest distance. The average distance from the heater wall 42 to the opposing wall 43 in a direction parallel to the imaginary line segment V1 is smaller than the average inner dimension of the tank 31 in the direction parallel to the imaginary line segment V1.

[0054] In this embodiment, the distance from the heater wall 42 to the opposing wall 43 in the direction parallel to the virtual line segment V1 includes a first distance and a second distance. The first distance is the distance from the upper end of the heater wall 42 to the lower end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60. The second distance is the distance from the upper end of the heater wall 42 to the inner surface of the wall in the upward direction UP of the heating section 32B. In calculating the average distance, first, the total value of the volume where the distance from the heater wall 42 to the opposing wall 43 in the direction parallel to the virtual line segment V1 is the first distance and the volume where the distance is the second distance is calculated. Then, the average distance is calculated by dividing the total value by the area of ​​the heater wall 42. The average inner dimension is calculated by dividing the volume of the storage space S by the area of ​​the bottom wall S2 that partitions the storage space S. In this embodiment, the average distance is a value close to the shortest distance from the heater wall 42 to the opposing wall 43 in the direction parallel to the virtual line segment V1. On the other hand, the average inner dimension is calculated as a value including the distance from the non-heater wall 42A to the tank opening 34 in a direction parallel to the imaginary line segment V1, and the distance from the non-heater wall 42A to the inside of the wall portion on the upward UP side of the storage section 32A in a direction parallel to the imaginary line segment V1. Therefore, the average distance is smaller than the average inner dimension of the storage space S.

[0055] <Action of this embodiment> At the start of use of the CPAP device 10, it is preferable that about 80% of the volume of the storage space S is stored in the storage space S. Suppose that water is poured into the storage space S from the tank opening 34 so as to achieve such a ratio. When water is continuously poured into the storage space S, the heating section 32B is filled with water first. That is, the water is first filled so as to be in contact with the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60. Then, the storage section 32A is filled with water. Then, the tubular section 33 is filled with water, and a preferable amount of water can be filled when the CPAP device 10 is used.

[0056] Suppose the heater 61 is driven in a state where the water is filled. First, the heater 61 heats the water around the heater wall 42. Then, the heated water is convected in the upward direction UP. In this way, the temperature rises mainly from the water in the heating section 32B. In addition, the upward UP side of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 is the circulation passage 82. The amount of water vapor passing through the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 increases as the difference in air density on the upward UP side of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 increases. In this embodiment, air flows through the circulation passage 82, and a difference in air density occurs between the side close to the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 side and the side far from the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 side in the circulation passage 82. As a result, the amount of water vapor passing through the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 can be secured.

[0057] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) According to the above embodiment, liquid can be stored in the storage space S so that the liquid level is located in the upward direction UP above the upper end of the gas-liquid permselective membrane 60. As long as the liquid level is located in the upward direction UP above the upper end of the gas-liquid permselective membrane 60, the vaporized liquid can be supplied to the flow passage 82 via the gas-liquid permselective membrane 60. On the other hand, since the liquid cannot pass through the gas-liquid permselective membrane 60, the liquid is not supplied to the flow passage 82. Therefore, the air flowing through the flow passage 82 can be continuously humidified while preventing the liquid from being supplied to the flow passage 82.

[0058] Furthermore, the flow rate of air passing through the flow passage 82 increases or decreases according to the breathing rate of the user of the CPAP device 10. When the breathing rate increases, the density difference in the flow passage 82 increases, and the amount of evaporation of the liquid in the storage space S increases. With the above configuration, even if the user's breathing rate increases and the amount of evaporation of the liquid increases, the air flowing through the flow passage 82 can be continuously humidified.

[0059] (2) In the above embodiment, the average distance from the heater wall 42 to the opposing wall 43 in the direction parallel to the virtual line segment V1 is smaller than the average inner dimension of the storage space S in the direction parallel to the virtual line segment V1. With this configuration, the volume of the area partitioned by the heater wall 42 and the opposing wall 43 is small, so that the heater 61 efficiently heats the liquid in that area. Since the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 constitutes the opposing wall 43, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 comes into contact with the liquid heated in the area partitioned by the heater wall 42 and the opposing wall 43. Therefore, the vaporized liquid can be efficiently supplied to the flow passage 82 via the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60.

[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, the heater wall 42 is located at the portion furthest to the downward direction DW side of the wall portion S1 that partitions the storage space S. With this configuration, the liquid in the storage space S tends to collect on the heater 61.

[0061] (4) In the above embodiment, the opposing wall 43 is located on the upward UP side relative to the heater wall 42. With this configuration, the liquid heated by the heater 61 convects upward UP and moves to the vicinity of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60. In this way, if a relatively high-temperature liquid is present in the vicinity of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60, humidification via the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 can be performed efficiently.

[0062] (5) In the above embodiment, the hydrophilicity of the heater wall 42 is greater than the hydrophilicity of the wall portion S1 that partitions the storage space S, excluding the heater wall 42. With this configuration, the liquid tends to move toward the heater wall 42. That is, by collecting the liquid on the heater 61, humidification via the gas-liquid selective permmeable membrane 60 becomes easier.

[0063] (6) In the above embodiment, the tank 31 has the first portion 31A and the second portion 31B located on the upward UP side of the first portion 31A. The second portion 31B is detachable from the first portion 31A. With the above configuration, even if the shape of the tank 31 becomes complicated, the inside of the tank 31 can be easily cleaned by removing the second portion 31B from the first portion 31A. That is, with the above configuration, the inside of the tank 31 can be kept clean.

[0064] (7) In the above embodiment, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 33 gradually increases from the lower end to the upper end. Such a shape of the cylindrical portion 33 allows the tank opening 34 to be enlarged. That is, it is easy to refill the tank 31 with water. On the other hand, the diameter of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 33 is smaller than the diameter of the upper end, so that a space is generated in the humidifier 30 by the amount of this dimensional difference. In the above embodiment, when the tank 31 is fixed to the outer cover 55, the portion of the flow passage 82 defined by the first cylindrical wall 52 is located on the downward direction DW side with respect to the cylindrical portion 33. That is, by arranging a part of the flow passage 82 in the space generated by the dimensional difference of the cylindrical portion 33, the space can be effectively utilized.

[0065] <Example of change> The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the bottom wall S2 that divides the storage space S may not be parallel to the first axis X and the second axis Y. The bottom wall S2 may have a step. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the humidifier 30 has a partition member 40 that is substantially rectangular tubular. The partition member 40 extends in a direction along the first axis X as a whole. Both ends of the partition member 40 are closed. That is, liquid cannot enter the inside of the partition member 40. The two walls of the partition member 40 are parallel to the first axis X. The two walls of the partition member 40 are perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. One wall of the partition member 40 is in contact with the inner surface of the wall on the second negative direction Y2 side of the storage section 32A. One wall of the partition member 40 is in contact with the inner surface of the wall on the downward direction DW side of the storage section 32A. That is, the partition member 40 is located at a corner of the storage section 32A. In this configuration, when the storage space S is filled with liquid, the corners of the storage section 32A where the partition member 40 is located are not filled with liquid. That is, the step wall 44 located on the upward UP side of the partition member 40 can be regarded as a part of the bottom wall S2 that partitions the storage space S. The step wall 44 is located on the upward UP side of the upper end of the heater 61 and the upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60. With this configuration, the liquid present in the space above the step wall 44 in the storage space S is more likely to flow toward the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 and heater 61 located on the downward DW side. Therefore, even if the amount of liquid in the storage space S is reduced, the liquid is more likely to maintain contact with the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 and heater 61.

[0067] 8, the partition wall 45 located on the second positive direction Y1 side of the partition member 40 rises in the upward direction UP from the non-heater wall 42A. With this configuration, the partition wall 45 can prevent the liquid heated by the heater 61 from spreading along the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31. In other words, the heated liquid can be retained between the heater wall 42 and the opposing wall 43.

[0068] In the above modification shown in Fig. 8, the thermal conductivity of partition member 40 is preferably 0.3 W / (m / k) or less. That is, ABS resin, polycarbonate, etc. can be used as the material of partition wall 45. Such thermal conductivity can prevent the heat of the liquid heated in heating section 32B from being transferred to the liquid in storage section 32A.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the heater wall 42 may not be located at the most downward DW side of the wall portion S1 that divides the storage space S. That is, the heater wall 42 may be attached to any part of the tank 31, not limited to the bottom wall 41 of the tank 31. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the heater wall 42 is attached to the wall portion located on the second negative direction Y2 side of the tank 31. In this case, the opposing wall 43 is a part of the wall portion of the tank 31 on the second positive direction Y1 side. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 is a part of the opposing wall 43. The first cylindrical wall 52 is located on the downward DW side with respect to the main surface of the cover body 51. The first cylindrical wall 52 and the opposing wall 43 divide the flow passage 82. Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 is located in the downward DW direction with respect to the lower end of the tank opening 34.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the dimensional relationship between the average distance and the average inner dimension is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the distance from the heater wall 42 to the opposing wall 43 in the direction parallel to the virtual line segment V1 may be constant. That is, the shape of the storage space S may be a rectangular parallelepiped. In this case, the average distance coincides with the average inner dimension. Also, the average distance may be larger than the average inner dimension.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the opposing wall 43 may be located on the downward direction DW side with respect to the heater wall 42. For example, the heater wall 42, the opposing wall 43, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60, and the flow passage 82 may be arranged in this order in the downward direction DW.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the second portion 31B of the tank 31 does not have to be detachable from the first portion 31A. That is, the tank 31 does not have to be disassembled. The tank 31 may have a configuration in which three or more members are detachable.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the heater 61 does not need to be coated with a hydrophilic coating. That is, the hydrophilicity of the heater wall 42 may be the same as or smaller than the hydrophilicity of the wall portion S1 that partitions the storage space S except for the heater wall 42.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the heater 61 does not have to be exposed from the wall of the tank 31. For example, the heater 61 may be attached to the outside of the wall of the tank 31. If the wall of the tank 31 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, the heater 61 can sufficiently heat the storage space S. When the heater 61 is attached to the outside of the wall of the tank 31, the wall of the tank 31 adjacent to the area surrounded by the heating element of the heater 61 may be used as the heater wall 42.

[0075] In the above embodiment, a tube heater may be attached to the tube 91. The tube heater is composed of, for example, a linear heating wire and a synthetic resin covering the heating wire. When an electric current flows through the heating wire of the tube heater, the tube heater generates heat, and the air inside the tube 91 can be heated. This allows the temperature of the air inside the tube 91 to be adjusted to a temperature that is preferable for the user of the CPAP device 10.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the shape of the tank 31 is not limited to the shape of the above embodiment. For example, the cylindrical portion 33 of the tank 31 may be an elliptical cylindrical shape. When the shape of the humidifier 30 is elongated in the direction along the first axis X as in the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion 33 is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape elongated in the direction along the first axis X, so that the volume of the tank 31 can be expanded while making use of the space within the humidifier 30. In addition, the tank 31 may be shaped such that there is no distinction between the box-shaped portion 32 and the cylindrical portion 33.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the number of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 may be one or more. In addition, the shape of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60 may be appropriately changed according to the shape of the outflow hole OL provided in the tank 31.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the tank 31 may be attached in a state of contact with the base 12 . In the above embodiment, the flow passage 82 does not have to be a space partitioned by the first cylindrical wall 52 and the second cylindrical wall 53. For example, the space partitioned by the outer cover 55 and the inner cover 50 may be the flow passage 82. Even in such a case, if an opening through which the air compressed by the blower 20 can flow in and an opening through which the humidified air can flow out are provided at any of the outer cover 55 and the inner cover 50, the space inside the humidifier 30 can be used as the flow passage 82. In addition, the humidifier 30 may appropriately omit the cover body 51, the first cylindrical wall 52, the second cylindrical wall 53, and the partition wall 54, or may appropriately change the shapes of these members, depending on the shape of the flow passage 82. For example, the humidifier 30 may not include the second cylindrical wall 53, and the end of the first negative direction X2 side of the first cylindrical wall 52 may penetrate the wall of the outer cover 55 of the humidifier 30 on the first negative direction X2 side. As long as the interior of the flow passage 82 and the interior of the tank 31 are separated by the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 60, the techniques of the above-described embodiments can be applied.

[0079] <Additional Notes> The technical ideas that can be derived from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. [1] A CPAP device comprising: a blower that pressurizes air; and a humidifier into which the air pressurized from the blower can flow and which can humidify the flowing-in air, wherein the humidifier comprises a tank that defines a liquid storage space, a flow passage through which the air pressurized from the blower can flow, and a heater that can heat the storage space, wherein the tank has an opening and a gas-liquid selectively permeable membrane that separates the inside of the tank from the inside of the flow passage, wherein the gas-liquid selectively permeable membrane is a membrane that allows gas to pass from the inside of the tank to the flow passage while not allowing liquid to pass from the inside of the tank to the flow passage, and an upper end of the gas-liquid selectively permeable membrane is positioned below a lower end of the opening.

[0080] [2] The CPAP device described in [1], wherein a portion of the bottom wall partitioning the storage space is a step wall located above the upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane and the upper end of the heater. [3] The heater is attached to the tank, and the wall partitioning the storage space has a heater wall where the heater is located and an opposing wall facing the heater wall, and when an imaginary line is drawn connecting the heater wall and the opposing wall at the shortest distance, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane constitutes the opposing wall, and the average distance from the heater wall to the opposing wall in a direction parallel to the imaginary line is smaller than the average internal dimension of the storage space in a direction parallel to the imaginary line. [1] or [2] A CPAP device as described in the above.

[0081] [4] The CPAP device described in [3], wherein the heater wall is located at the lowest part of the wall portions that divide the storage space. [5] The CPAP device according to [3] or [4], wherein the opposing wall is located above the heater wall.

[0082] [6] A CPAP device as described in [5], wherein the bottom wall partitioning the storage space has the heater wall and a non-heater wall where the heater wall is not provided, and the humidifier has a partition wall rising upward from the non-heater wall.

[0083] [7] The CPAP device according to any one of [3] to [6], wherein the hydrophilicity of the heater wall is greater than the hydrophilicity of the wall portion that defines the storage space, excluding the heater wall.

[0084] [8] A CPAP device described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein the tank has a first portion including a bottom wall that partitions the storage space, and a second portion located above the first portion, and the second portion is detachable from the first portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] DW: Downward S: Storage space S1...Wall part S2…Bottom wall UP…Upward direction V1: Virtual line segment 10…CPAP device 20…Blower 30…humidifier 31…Tank 31A…First part 31B…Second part 34…Tank opening 41…Bottom wall 42…Heater wall 42A…Non-heated wall 43…Facing wall 44…Step wall 45…Partition wall 60...Gas-liquid selective permeable membrane 61…Heater 82…Distribution passage

Claims

1. A blower for compressing air; a humidifier into which the air compressed by the blower can flow and which can humidify the flowed-in air, The humidifier comprises: A tank defining a liquid storage space; a flow passage through which the air compressed by the blower can flow; A heater capable of heating the storage space; It is equipped with The tank has an opening and a gas-liquid selective permeable membrane that separates an interior of the tank from an interior of the flow passage, the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane is a membrane that allows gas to pass from the inside of the tank to the flow passage while not allowing liquid to pass from the inside of the tank to the flow passage, The upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane is located below the lower end of the opening. CPAP device.

2. A part of the bottom wall that partitions the storage space is a step wall that is located above the upper end of the gas-liquid selective permeable membrane and the upper end of the heater.

2. The CPAP device of claim 1.

3. The heater is attached to the tank, The wall portion that partitions the storage space has a heater wall where the heater is located and an opposing wall that faces the heater wall, When an imaginary line segment is drawn connecting the heater wall and the opposing wall at the shortest distance, The gas-liquid selective permeable membrane constitutes the opposing wall, The average distance from the heater wall to the opposing wall in a direction parallel to the imaginary line segment is smaller than the average inner dimension of the storage space in a direction parallel to the imaginary line segment.

2. The CPAP device of claim 1.

4. The heater wall is located at the lowermost position of the wall portions that divide the storage space.

4. The CPAP device of claim 3.

5. The facing wall is located above the heater wall.

4. The CPAP device of claim 3.

6. A bottom wall partitioning the storage space includes the heater wall and a non-heater wall not provided with the heater wall, The humidifier has a partition wall rising upward from the non-heater wall.

6. The CPAP device of claim 5.

7. The hydrophilicity of the heater wall is greater than the hydrophilicity of a portion of the wall portion that divides the storage space, excluding the heater wall.

4. The CPAP device of claim 3.

8. The tank is The storage space is divided into a first portion including a bottom wall, and a second portion is located above the first portion. The second part is detachable from the first part.

2. The CPAP device of claim 1.

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