Nebulizer and method for atomizing medicinal liquid

Abstract

To provide a nebulizer capable of sufficiently atomizing a liquid medicine even when a small shading motor is used.SOLUTION: A compressor 30 includes a shading motor 130 as a power source, and is provided with a discharge port 32 that discharges compressed air 4 generated by driving the shading motor 130. The shading motor 130 includes a stator 132 made of a soft magnetic body that has an apparent volume of 78000 mm3 or lower. A load reduction mechanism 50 reduces a load to be applied to the shading motor 130 by suppressing a pressure increase inside a flow path 40 from a first point in time at which the shading motor 130 starts driving to a second point in time at which the rotation speed of the rotor 131 reaches a predetermined rotation speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a nebulizer and a method for nebulizing a liquid medicine. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-87446 (Patent Document 1) is a prior art document that discloses a nebulizer. The nebulizer described in Patent Document 1 includes an air flow passage and a liquid medicine tank. The air flow passage extends from an air inlet to a spray nozzle. The liquid medicine in the liquid medicine tank is atomized by air compressed by a compressor. The air introduced through the air inlet and the liquid medicine atomized in the liquid medicine tank are mixed, and this mixed air is released from the spray nozzle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-87446 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A shading motor (shaded pole induction motor) is sometimes used as the power source for the compressor in a nebulizer. When the compressor is driven, the pressure in the space on the compressor's discharge side increases, which increases the load on the shading motor. Therefore, if a small shading motor is used, the torque of the shading motor may be insufficient, making it difficult to rotate the rotor beyond the specified rotation speed, which may result in insufficient atomization of the medicinal liquid.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a nebulizer and a method for nebulizing a medicinal liquid that can sufficiently nebulize the medicinal liquid even when a small shading motor is used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The nebulizer according to the present disclosure comprises a compressor, a nozzle, an atomizing unit, a flow path, and a load reduction mechanism. The compressor includes a shading motor as a power source and is provided with an outlet port that discharges compressed air generated by driving the shading motor. The nozzle sprays the compressed air generated by the compressor. The atomizing unit includes a baffle disposed opposite the nozzle, and imparts a chemical solution to the compressed air sprayed from the nozzle, and the compressed air to which the chemical solution has been imparted is sprayed against the baffle to generate an aerosol. The flow path connects the outlet port and the nozzle. The shading motor includes a rotor and a rotor having an apparent volume of 78,000 mm. 3 and a stator made of the following soft magnetic material. The load reduction mechanism reduces the load applied to the shading motor by suppressing a pressure increase in the flow path from a first point in time when the shading motor starts to drive to a second point in time when the rotor rotation speed reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the load reduction mechanism reduces the load applied to the shading motor until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, even when a small shading motor is used, it is possible to rotate the rotor at a speed exceeding the predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, even when a small shading motor is used, sufficient atomization of the chemical solution can be achieved.

[0008] In one example of the present disclosure, an opening / closing unit is provided on the flow path, which allows the compressed air in the flow path to be discharged outside the flow path in an open state and prevents the compressed air in the flow path from being discharged outside the flow path in a closed state. The opening / closing unit is maintained in an open state from the first time point to the second time point, and is maintained in a closed state after the second time point is exceeded, thereby forming a load reduction mechanism in the opening / closing unit.

[0009] According to the above configuration, by providing an opening / closing section as a load reduction mechanism on the flow path, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the shading motor until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the simple configuration of providing an opening / closing section on the flow path makes it possible to use a small shading motor.

[0010] In one example of the present disclosure, the opening and closing portion is a diaphragm valve.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible to configure the opening and closing section as a load reducing mechanism using a diaphragm valve, which has a simple configuration, which contributes to reducing manufacturing costs and making the nebulizer smaller.

[0012] In one example of the present disclosure, the load reduction mechanism is configured with a buffer tank provided on the flow path.

[0013] According to the above configuration, by providing a buffer tank as a load reduction mechanism on the flow path, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the shading motor until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the simple configuration of providing a buffer tank on the flow path makes it possible to use a small shading motor.

[0014] In one example of the present disclosure, the compressor further includes a piston, a cylinder, and a crank. The piston and the cylinder define a pump chamber where compressed air is generated. The crank is connected to the rotor and the piston to convert rotational motion of the rotor into reciprocating motion of the piston. The compressor is configured such that an eccentricity of the crank relative to the rotor increases as the rotation speed of the rotor increases, thereby increasing the compression ratio in the pump chamber, thereby configuring the crank as a load reduction mechanism.

[0015] According to the above configuration, by providing the compressor with a crank with a variable eccentricity as a load reduction mechanism, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the shading motor until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the simple configuration of providing the compressor with the crank makes it possible to use a small shading motor.

[0016] A method for atomizing a liquid medicine using a nebulizer according to the present disclosure generates an aerosol by injecting compressed air from a nozzle and spraying the injected compressed air onto a baffle while adding a liquid medicine to the air. The nebulizer includes a compressor and a flow path. The compressor includes a shading motor as a power source and is provided with an outlet for discharging compressed air generated by driving the shading motor. The flow path connects the outlet to the nozzle. The shading motor includes a rotor and a rotor with an apparent volume of 78,000 mm. 3 and a stator made of a soft magnetic material as described below. The method for atomizing a liquid medicine comprises the steps of starting to drive a shading motor, and reducing a load applied to the shading motor by suppressing a pressure increase in a flow path over a period from a first time point when the shading motor starts to drive to a second time point when the rotation speed of the rotor reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

[0017] According to the above method, the load applied to the shading motor can be reduced until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, even when a small shading motor is used, it is possible to rotate the rotor at a rotation speed exceeding the predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, even when a small shading motor is used, sufficient atomization of the chemical solution can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, a nebulizer can be provided that can sufficiently atomize a medicinal solution even when a small shading motor is used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a nebulizer according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a nebulizer according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the nebulizer of FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of the arrows along line III-III. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a compressor included in a nebulizer according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of the arrow VV. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a load reduction mechanism included in a nebulizer according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation speed and torque of a typical shading motor. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart showing a method for atomizing a liquid medicine by a nebulizer according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a nebulizer according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration when a crank in a compressor included in a nebulizer according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure rotates at a low speed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration when a crank in a compressor included in a nebulizer according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure rotates at high speed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Nebulizers according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0021] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a nebulizer according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a nebulizer according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the nebulizer of Fig. 2 as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line III-III.

[0022] 1 to 3, nebulizer 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure includes nebulizer kit 10, main body 20, compressor 30, flow path 40, and load reduction mechanism 50. Nebulizer 1 is a device used in inhalation therapy in which atomized medicinal liquid 2 is applied directly to the nasal cavity, upper respiratory tract, bronchi, or the like.

[0023] Nebulizer kit 10 includes case body 100, storage section 101, aerosol outlet 102, aerosol transport path 103, nozzle 110, and atomizing section 120.

[0024] Case body 100 has an air passage 104 that opens at the top end and is configured in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. A medicinal liquid 2 is stored in storage section 101. After being atomized in atomization section 120, the medicinal liquid 2 is mixed with air introduced from air passage 104 to form aerosol 3, which is then circulated to aerosol outlet 102. Aerosol 3 circulated to aerosol outlet 102 is released to the outside of case body 100 through aerosol transport passage 103.

[0025] The nozzle 110 injects compressed air 4 generated by a compressor 30, which will be described later. As shown in Fig. 3, the nozzle 110 has a hole 111 at its tip. The inner diameter of the nozzle 110 decreases toward the hole 111.

[0026] Atomization part 120 includes baffle 121 and liquid suction part 123. Baffle 121 is disposed opposite nozzle 110. On the nozzle 110 side of baffle 121, protrusion 122 that protrudes toward nozzle 110 is provided.

[0027] The liquid suction part 123 covers the periphery of the nozzle 110 with a gap between it and the outer periphery of the nozzle 110. By ejecting compressed air from the hole 111 of the nozzle 110, the space between the inner periphery of the liquid suction part 123 near the hole 111 and the outer periphery of the nozzle 110 becomes negative pressure.

[0028] The atomization unit 120 applies the liquid medicine 2 to the compressed air 4 sprayed from the nozzle 110, and the compressed air 4 to which the liquid medicine 2 has been applied is sprayed onto the baffle 121, thereby generating the aerosol 3. Specifically, the liquid medicine 2 is sucked into the space between the inner periphery of the liquid suction unit 123 and the outer periphery of the nozzle 110 toward the tip of the nozzle 110, and the liquid medicine 2 and the compressed air 4 are sprayed onto the protrusion 122, turning the liquid medicine 2 into fine particles, and the air and the fine particles of the liquid medicine 2 are mixed to generate the aerosol 3.

[0029] 1 and 2, main body 20 houses compressor 30, load reduction mechanism 50, and electronic components (not shown). Electrical operations such as powering on nebulizer 1 are performed in main body 20. Main body 20 has ventilation window 21 on its side.

[0030] The nebulizer kit 10 and the compressor 30 are connected by a flow path 40. Specifically, the flow path 40 connects an outlet 32 ​​of the compressor 30, which will be described later, to a nozzle 110. In this embodiment, the flow path 40 is made of, for example, a resin or rubber tube.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a compressor included in the nebulizer according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of Fig. 4 as viewed from the direction of the arrows VV.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the compressor 30 includes an intake port 31, an exhaust port 32, a fan 33, a shading motor 130 as a power source, a crank 140, a piston 150, and a cylinder 160.

[0033] The intake port 31 draws in outside air through the main body 20. The outlet port 32 discharges compressed air 4 generated by driving the shading motor 130. The fan 33 takes in outside air into the main body 20 through the ventilation window 21 provided in the main body 20, thereby cooling the inside of the main body 20.

[0034] The shading motor 130 includes a rotor 131, a stator 132, a rotor shaft 133, and a support base 134.

[0035] A rotor shaft 133 is connected to the center of rotation of the rotor 131. The rotor shaft 133 is connected at both ends to the fan 33 and the crank 140. The rotor 131 and the rotor shaft 133 rotate around the rotor shaft 133 as the central axis of rotation, causing the fan 33 and the crank 140 to rotate.

[0036] The stator 132 generates a magnetic field when power is supplied from an electric wiring (not shown). The stator 132 covers the outer periphery of the rotor 131. The stator 132 rotates the rotor 131 by the magnetic field generated in the stator 132.

[0037] Stator 132 is made of a soft magnetic material. In this embodiment, stator 132 is made of, for example, a silicon alloy. Note that stator 132 is not limited to a silicon alloy as long as it is a soft magnetic material, and may be made of pure iron, carbon steel, a nickel alloy, a cobalt alloy, or ceramics (ferrite) mainly composed of iron oxide.

[0038] The stator 132 has an apparent volume of 78,000 mm 3 The apparent volume in this disclosure is the volume of the smallest rectangular parallelepiped that can fit inside the stator 132, calculated by multiplying the width, height, and thickness of the rectangular parallelepiped. This apparent volume includes the case where components other than the stator 132 are present inside the rectangular parallelepiped.

[0039] The smallest rectangular parallelepiped that can accommodate the stator 132 of this embodiment has a width W of 62.5 mm, a height H of 60.5 mm, and a thickness T of 20.5 mm. Therefore, the stator 132 of this embodiment has an apparent volume of 77516 mm. 3 (approximately 78,000 mm 3 )

[0040] The support base 134 supports the stator 132. A portion of the stator 132 penetrates the inside of the support base 134.

[0041] As the rotor 131 and rotor shaft 133 rotate, the eccentric portion 141 of the crank 140 rotates eccentrically around the rotation axis of the rotor shaft 133. The crank 140 is connected to the rotor 131 and the piston 150, thereby converting the rotational motion of the rotor 131 into the reciprocating motion of the piston 150.

[0042] The piston 150 is connected to the eccentric portion 141 of the crank 140. The cylinder 160 accommodates a portion of the piston 150. The piston 150 and the cylinder 160 together define the pump chamber 34 in which the compressed air 4 is generated.

[0043] The cylinder 160 has a suction chamber 161, a discharge chamber 162, and a valve 163. The suction chamber 161 is connected to the suction port 31 and introduces outside air into the pump chamber 34. The discharge chamber 162 is connected to the discharge port 32 and discharges the compressed air 4 compressed in the pump chamber 34 into the flow path 40. The valve 163 connects the suction chamber 161, the discharge chamber 162, and the pump chamber 34. 34 It is placed between.

[0044] The valve 163 is disposed between the pump chamber 34 and the suction chamber 161 and discharge chamber 162, and allows air to flow in one direction. Specifically, when air flows from the suction chamber 161 into the pump chamber 34, a portion of the valve 163 opens toward the pump chamber 34, allowing the air to enter the pump chamber 34. However, because the valve 163 does not open toward the suction chamber 161, air does not flow from the pump chamber 34 to the suction chamber 161. Similarly, when compressed air is discharged from the pump chamber 34 to the discharge chamber 162, a portion of the valve 163 opens toward the discharge chamber 162, discharging the compressed air into the discharge chamber 162. However, because the valve 163 does not open toward the pump chamber 34, compressed air does not flow from the discharge chamber 162 to the pump chamber 34.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the load reduction mechanism included in the nebulizer according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] 2 and 6, the load reduction mechanism 50 causes a phenomenon in which a pressure increase in the flow path 40 is suppressed, separate from the phenomenon in which a part of the compressed air 4 generated by the compressor 30 is discharged from the nozzle 110 to suppress a pressure increase in the flow path 40 until the shading motor 130 reaches a predetermined rotation speed, which will be described later. In other words, the nozzle 110 does not correspond to the load reduction mechanism in the present disclosure.

[0047] The load reduction mechanism 50 in this embodiment is composed of an opening / closing unit 170. The opening / closing unit 170, which is the load reduction mechanism 50, is provided on the flow path 40. The opening / closing unit 170 in this embodiment is provided inside the main body unit 20. Note that the load reduction mechanism 50 is not limited to being arranged inside the main body unit 20, and may be arranged directly below the nebulizer kit 10 in the flow path 40, at an intermediate position in the flow path 40, or the like.

[0048] The opening and closing part 170 is a diaphragm valve and includes a housing 171, a thin film part 173, a seat part 175, a closing part 176, and a spring 177.

[0049] The housing 171 accommodates other components inside. The housing 171 has a through hole 172 formed therein.

[0050] The thin film portion 173 is provided with an opening 174 through which the compressed air 4 flows. As the pressure of the compressed air 4 increases, the thin film portion 173 expands in the direction in which the compressed air 4 flows through the opening 174. The sheet portion 175 is provided adjacent to the thin film portion 173.

[0051] The opening / closing unit 170 allows the compressed air 4 in the flow path 40 to be discharged to the outside of the flow path 40 when in the open state, and prevents the compressed air 4 in the flow path 40 from being discharged to the outside of the flow path 40 when in the closed state.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the open / close unit 170 is in an open state when the opening 174 of the thin film portion 173 is not closed by the closing portion 176. When the open / close unit 170 is in the open state, the compressed air 4 is discharged to the outside of the flow path 40 through the opening 174 and the through-hole 172.

[0053] The opening / closing unit 170 is in a closed state when the opening 174 of the thin film portion 173 is closed by the closing portion 176. In the closed state, the opening / closing unit 170 does not allow the compressed air 4 to flow out of the flow path 40. fart Specifically, the closure portion 176 comes into contact with the seat portion 175 due to the expansion of the thin film portion 173, thereby closing the opening 174. When the pressure of the compressed air 4 is applied to the thin film portion 173, the thin film portion 173 expands toward the closure portion 176 while resisting the spring 177, thereby closing the opening 174. This makes it impossible for the compressed air 4 to be discharged to the outside of the flow path 40.

[0054] The opening / closing unit 170 is not limited to a diaphragm valve, but may be configured as a pressure reducing valve without a diaphragm, or may be configured such that the opening is opened and closed by a float that moves up and down depending on the flow rate of the compressed air 4. Furthermore, the opening / closing unit 170 is not limited to a configuration that automatically opens and closes using pressure, like a diaphragm valve, but may be configured such that a lid that can open and close the opening is manually opened and closed.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation speed and torque of a typical shading motor.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, the shading motor, which is a single-phase AC motor, has a characteristic that due to its structure, the torque (output) of the shading motor is unstable and low below a predetermined rotation speed, but once the predetermined rotation speed is exceeded, the torque becomes stable and high, and then gradually decreases as the rotation speed increases. The predetermined rotation speed of the shading motor in this case differs depending on the configuration of the shading motor, but in this example it is about 2300 rpm. The shading motor starts driving when the rotor rotation speed reaches the predetermined rotation speed. (approx. 2300rpm) The second hour Lights The torque becomes unstable in the range of approximately 15 to 45 mN·m over this period.

[0057] On the other hand, when the pressure on the discharge side increases due to the pressure of the compressed air compressed by driving the compressor, the compressed air acts as a resistance to the torque of the shading motor in the compressor, and as the rotation speed of the shading motor increases, the load applied to the shading motor increases.

[0058] This shading motor is designed to have an apparent volume of 77516 mm, as in the shading motor 130 shown in this embodiment, for the purpose of reducing environmental load. 3 (approximately 78,000 mm 3 ), the torque is lower than when the motor is not downsized. As a result, at rotation speeds below a certain value, the torque is lower than the load applied to the shading motor, making it difficult for the downsized shading motor to rotate above the certain value.

[0059] The following describes a method for atomizing a liquid medicine using nebulizer 1 including miniaturized shading motor 130. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for atomizing a liquid medicine using a nebulizer according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, in the method of atomizing the liquid medicine by the nebulizer 1, first, the driving of the shading motor 130 is started (step S1).

[0061] Next, from a first time point when the shading motor 130 starts to be driven to a second time point when the rotation speed of the rotor 131 reaches a predetermined rotation speed, the load applied to the shading motor 130 is reduced by suppressing a pressure increase in the flow path 40 (step S2). Specifically, from the first time point to the second time point, the opening / closing unit 170 is maintained in an open state, and after the second time point is passed, the opening / closing unit 170 is maintained in a closed state. As a result, the opening / closing unit 170 suppresses a pressure increase in the flow path 40 from the first time point to the second time point, thereby reducing the load applied to the shading motor 130.

[0062] In this embodiment, the opening / closing unit 170 releases the compressed air 4 in the flow path 40 from the opening 174 through the through-hole 172 to the outside of the flow path 40 over the period from the first time point to the second time point. After the predetermined rotation speed is exceeded, the opening 174 is closed by the closing unit 176, and the release of the compressed air 4 from the opening 174 is stopped. As a result, even if the torque of the miniaturized shading motor 130 decreases at or below the predetermined rotation speed, the load applied to the shading motor 130 is reduced by the opening / closing unit 170, and the shading motor 130 can rotate at or above the predetermined rotation speed (step S3).

[0063] Here, even between the first and second points in time described above, a portion of the compressed air 4 is discharged from the nozzle 110, thereby suppressing the pressure rise in the flow path 40. However, this "suppression of the pressure rise in the flow path caused by the discharge of a portion of the compressed air from the nozzle" does not correspond to the "suppression of the pressure rise in the flow path" in the "step of reducing the load applied to the shading motor by suppressing the pressure rise in the flow path from the first point in time when the shading motor starts to drive to the second point in time when the rotation speed of the rotor reaches a predetermined rotation speed" as referred to in the present disclosure.

[0064] In other words, in the present disclosure, "suppressing the pressure rise in the flow path" in the "step of reducing the load applied to the shading motor by suppressing the pressure rise in the flow path from the first point in time when the shading motor starts to operate to the second point in time when the rotor rotation speed reaches a predetermined rotation speed" means that the pressure rise in the flow path is suppressed separately from the above-mentioned "suppressing the pressure rise in the flow path caused by the discharge of some of the compressed air from the nozzle."

[0065] As mentioned above, the graph in Figure 7 showing the relationship between the rotation speed and torque of the shading motor is an example and does not limit the characteristics of the shading motor. The characteristics of the shading motor, such as torque or maximum rotation speed, are set arbitrarily depending on the motor specifications or the frequency of the commercial power supply.

[0066] In the nebulizer 1 and medicinal liquid atomization method according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, an opening / closing section 170 is provided as a load reduction mechanism 50 that suppresses the pressure rise in the flow path 40 of the compressed air 4 when the shading motor 130 is at or below a predetermined rotation speed. This makes it possible to reduce the load applied to the shading motor 130 due to the pressure rise of the compressed air 4 when the shading motor 130 is at or below the predetermined rotation speed, thereby reducing the load applied to the miniaturized shading motor 130 and allowing the shading motor 130 to rotate at or above the predetermined rotation speed.

[0067] In the nebulizer 1 and medicinal liquid nebulization method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening / closing section 170 as the load reduction mechanism 50 enables the rotor 131 to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed or higher even when a small shading motor 130 is used, so that sufficient atomization of the medicinal liquid 2 can be achieved even when a small shading motor 130 is used.

[0068] In the nebulizer 1 and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing an opening / closing unit 170 as a load reduction mechanism 50 on the flow path 40, it becomes possible to reduce the load applied to the shading motor 130 until the rotor 131 of the shading motor 130 reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the simple configuration of providing an opening / closing unit 170 on the flow path 40 makes it possible to use a small shading motor 130.

[0069] In the nebulizer 1 and medicinal liquid nebulization method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to configure the opening / closing section 170 as the load reduction mechanism 50 using a diaphragm valve, which has a simple configuration, thereby contributing to reducing manufacturing costs and miniaturizing the nebulizer 1.

[0070] In the nebulizer 1 and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening / closing unit 170 is a diaphragm valve, and by changing the thin film unit 173 that constitutes part of the diaphragm valve, it is possible to easily adjust the pressure that serves as the reference for the open and closed states of the opening / closing unit 170.

[0071] (Embodiment 2) The following describes a nebulizer and a method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. The nebulizer and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure differ from nebulizer 1 and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure in the configuration of the load reduction mechanism, and therefore, the description of the configuration that is similar to nebulizer 1 and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will not be repeated.

[0072] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a nebulizer according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 9, nebulizer 1A according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure includes nebulizer kit 10, main body 20A, compressor 30, flow path 40, and load reduction mechanism 50A.

[0073] The load reduction mechanism 50A in this embodiment is configured by a buffer tank 270 provided on the flow path 40.

[0074] The buffer tank 270 contains compressed air 4. The compressed air 4 compressed by the compressor 30 flows into the buffer tank 270 from the outlet 32. The compressed air 4 flows from the flow port 271 to the nebulizer kit 10 via the flow path 40.

[0075] Compared to when the buffer tank 270 is not provided on the flow path 40, the provision of the buffer tank 270 increases the volume that can accommodate the compressed air 4 in the flow path 40, thereby suppressing the increase in pressure due to the compressed air 4 in the flow path 40.

[0076] In the nebulizer 1A and medicinal liquid nebulization method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a buffer tank 270 on the flow path 40 and increasing the volume of compressed air 4 stored on the flow path 40, it is possible to suppress the increase in pressure within the flow path 40, thereby reducing the load applied to the miniaturized shading motor and allowing the shading motor to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed or higher.

[0077] In the nebulizer 1A and medicinal liquid nebulization method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the buffer tank 270 as the load reduction mechanism 50A enables the rotor to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed or higher even when a small shading motor is used, so that sufficient nebulization of the medicinal liquid 2 can be achieved even when a small shading motor is used.

[0078] In nebulizer 1A and a method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, buffer tank 270 is provided on flow path 40 as load reduction mechanism 50A, thereby reducing the load applied to the shading motor until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the simple configuration of providing buffer tank 270 on flow path 40 allows the use of a small shading motor.

[0079] (Embodiment 3) The following describes a nebulizer and a method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. The nebulizer and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure differ from nebulizer 1 and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure in the configuration of the load reduction mechanism, and therefore, the description of the configuration that is similar to nebulizer 1 and the method for nebulizing a liquid medicine according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will not be repeated.

[0080] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration when the crank in the compressor included in the nebulizer according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure rotates at a low speed, and Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration when the crank in the compressor included in the nebulizer according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure rotates at a high speed.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the nebulizer according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure includes a nebulizer kit, a main body, a compressor 30B, a flow path, and a load reduction mechanism 50B.

[0082] The compressor 30B has a rotor shaft 333, a crank 370, and a link mechanism 373. The rotor shaft 333 is connected to a rotor (not shown).

[0083] Load reduction mechanism 50B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is configured by crank 370. Crank 370 has eccentric shaft portion 371 and connecting shaft portion 372. Eccentric shaft portion 371 is connected to connecting shaft portion 372. Eccentric shaft portion 371 and connecting shaft portion 372 can be moved eccentrically from rotor shaft 333 by link mechanism 373.

[0084] The link mechanism 373 has a first member 374 , a second member 376 , and a third member 377 .

[0085] The first member 374 has a long hole 375. The second member 376 can move along the long hole 375 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor shaft 333. The second member 376 is connected to the eccentric shaft portion 371. The third member 377 has a weight 378 at its tip. The third member 377 is connected to the rotor shaft 333 by a support member 379.

[0086] Compressor 30B in this embodiment is configured to increase the compression ratio in pump chamber 34. As the rotation speed of the rotor increases, the eccentricity of crank 370 relative to the rotor increases. Specifically, as the rotation speed of rotor shaft 333 increases, weight 378 of third member 377 receives centrifugal force in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of rotor shaft 333. As a result, second member 376 moves between elongated holes 375 of first member 374, causing eccentric shaft portion 371 and connecting shaft portion 372 to move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of rotor shaft 333. This changes the eccentricity of eccentric shaft portion 371 and connecting shaft portion 372.

[0087] 10 and 11, the eccentricity amounts L1 and L2 of the crank 370 are such that the eccentricity amount L1 at low rotation speeds is greater than the eccentricity amount L2 at high rotation speeds. The increase in the eccentricity amount of the crank 370 accompanying an increase in the rotation speed of the rotor increases the distance of the reciprocating motion of the piston 150, thereby increasing the compression rate of the compressed air 4 in the pump chamber 34. In other words, when the crank 370 rotates at low rotation speeds, the compression rate in the pump chamber 34 is lower than when the crank 370 rotates at high rotation speeds, and therefore the increase in pressure in the flow path during low rotation speeds is suppressed.

[0088] In the nebulizer and medicinal liquid nebulization method according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a crank 370 with a variable eccentricity on compressor 30B, the compression rate of the compressed air increases as the rotor rotation speed increases, thereby reducing the load applied to the shading motor due to the increase in pressure of the compressed air at or below a predetermined rotation speed of the shading motor. As a result, the load applied to the miniaturized shading motor can be reduced, allowing the shading motor to rotate at a speed higher than the predetermined rotation speed.

[0089] In the nebulizer and medicinal liquid nebulization method according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the crank 370 having a variable eccentricity as the load reduction mechanism 50B makes it possible to rotate the rotor at a predetermined rotation speed or more even when a small shading motor is used, thereby enabling sufficient nebulization of the medicinal liquid even when a small shading motor is used.

[0090] In the nebulizer and liquid medicine atomization method according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, compressor 30B is provided with crank 370 having a variable eccentricity as load reduction mechanism 50B, which makes it possible to reduce the load applied to the shading motor until the rotor of the shading motor reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the simple configuration of providing compressor 30B with crank 370 makes it possible to use a small shading motor.

[0091] Although the nebulizers according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown as portable nebulizers, the present disclosure can be applied not only to portable nebulizers but also to stationary nebulizers.

[0092] [Note] As described above, the present embodiment includes the following disclosures.

[0093] [Configuration 1] a compressor (30, 30B) including a shading motor (130) as a power source and provided with a discharge port (32) for discharging compressed air (4) generated by driving the shading motor (130); a nozzle (110) for injecting the compressed air (4) generated by the compressor (30); an atomization section (120) including a baffle (121) disposed opposite the nozzle (110), which applies a chemical solution (2) to the compressed air (4) sprayed from the nozzle (110) and generates an aerosol (3) by spraying the compressed air (4) to which the chemical solution (2) has been applied onto the baffle (121); a flow path (40) connecting the discharge port (32) and the nozzle (110); The shading motor (130) has a rotor (131) and an apparent volume of 78,000 mm 3 and a stator (132) made of a soft magnetic material, which is: The nebulizer further includes a load reduction mechanism (50) that reduces a load applied to the shading motor (130) by suppressing a pressure increase in the flow path (40) during a period from a first time point when the shading motor (130) starts to be driven to a second time point when the rotation speed of the rotor (131) reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

[0094] [Configuration 2] an opening / closing part (170) is provided on the flow path (40), the opening / closing part (170) enabling the compressed air (4) in the flow path (40) to be discharged to the outside of the flow path (40) in an open state and disabling the compressed air (4) in the flow path (40) to be discharged to the outside of the flow path (40) in a closed state; The nebulizer according to configuration 1, wherein the open / close unit (170) is maintained in the open state from the first time point to the second time point, and the open / close unit (170) is maintained in the closed state after the second time point is exceeded, thereby forming the load reduction mechanism (50) in the open / close unit (170).

[0095] [Configuration 3] 3. The nebulizer according to claim 2, wherein the opening and closing part (170) is a diaphragm valve.

[0096] [Configuration 4] 2. The nebulizer according to claim 1, wherein the load reduction mechanism (50A) is configured by a buffer tank (270) provided on the flow path (40).

[0097] [Configuration 5] The compressor (30B) further includes a piston (150) and a cylinder (160) that define a pump chamber (34) in which compressed air (4) is generated, and a crank (370) that is connected to the rotor (131) and the piston (150) to convert rotational motion of the rotor (131) into reciprocating motion of the piston (150); 10. The nebulizer according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is configured such that an eccentricity of the crank with respect to the rotor increases as the rotation speed of the rotor increases, thereby increasing the compression ratio in the pump chamber. The load reduction mechanism is configured by the crank.

[0098] [Configuration 6] A method for atomizing a liquid medicine in a nebulizer, comprising: injecting compressed air (4) from a nozzle (110); imparting a liquid medicine (2) to the injected compressed air (4); and spraying the compressed air (4) against a baffle (121) to generate an aerosol (3), The nebulizer a compressor (30) including a shading motor (130) as a power source and provided with a discharge port (32) for discharging compressed air (4) generated by driving the shading motor (130); a flow path (40) connecting the discharge port (32) and the nozzle (110); The shading motor (130) has a rotor (131) and an apparent volume of 78,000 mm 3 and a stator (132) made of a soft magnetic material, which is: The method for atomizing a liquid medicine comprises: A step (S1) of starting the driving of the shading motor (130); and (S2) reducing a load applied to the shading motor (130) by suppressing a pressure increase in the flow path (40) during a period from a first time point when the shading motor (130) starts to be driven to a second time point when the rotation speed of the rotor (131) reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

[0099] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. In the description of the above-described embodiments, combinable configurations may be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1,1A nebulizer, 2 medicinal liquid, 3 aerosol, 4 compressed air, 10 nebulizer kit, 20,20A main body, 21 ventilation window, 30,30B compressor, 31 intake port, 32 discharge port, 33 fan, 34 pump chamber, 40 flow path, 50,50A,50B load reduction mechanism, 100 case body, 101 storage section, 102 aerosol discharge port, 103 aerosol transport path, 104 ventilation path, 110 nozzle, 111 hole, 120 atomization section, 121 baffle, 122 protrusion, 123 liquid absorption section, 130 shading motor, 131 rotor, 132 stator, 133,333 rotor shaft, 134 support base, 140,370 crank, 141 eccentric section, 150 Piston, 160 cylinder, 161 suction chamber, 162 discharge chamber, 163 valve, 170 opening / closing portion, 171 housing, 172 through hole, 173 thin film portion, 174 opening, 175 seat portion, 176 closing portion, 177 spring, 270 buffer tank, 271 flow port, 371 eccentric shaft portion, 372 connecting shaft portion, 373 link mechanism, 374 first member, 375 elongated hole, 376 second member, 377 third member, 378 weight, 379 support member, H height, T thickness, W width, L1, L2 eccentricity amount.

Claims

1. a compressor including a shading motor as a power source and provided with an outlet for discharging compressed air generated by driving the shading motor; a nozzle for injecting compressed air generated by the compressor; an atomization unit including a baffle disposed opposite the nozzle, which applies a chemical solution to the compressed air jetted from the nozzle, and which generates an aerosol by spraying the compressed air to which the chemical solution has been applied onto the baffle; a flow path connecting the discharge port and the nozzle, The shading motor has a rotor and an apparent volume of 78,000 mm 3 and a stator made of a soft magnetic material, A nebulizer further comprising a load reduction mechanism that reduces the load applied to the shading motor by suppressing a pressure increase within the flow path during the period from a first point in time when the shading motor starts to drive to a second point in time when the rotation speed of the rotor reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

2. an opening / closing section that allows the compressed air in the flow path to be discharged to the outside of the flow path in an open state and that prevents the compressed air in the flow path from being discharged to the outside of the flow path in a closed state is provided on the flow path, The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the load reduction mechanism is configured in the opening / closing unit by maintaining the opening / closing unit in the open state from the first point in time to the second point in time, and by maintaining the opening / closing unit in the closed state after the second point in time has passed.

3. The nebulizer according to claim 2 , wherein the opening and closing portion comprises a diaphragm valve.

4. 2. The nebulizer according to claim 1, wherein the load reduction mechanism is configured by a buffer tank provided on the flow path.

5. the compressor further includes a piston and a cylinder defining a pump chamber in which compressed air is generated, and a crank connected to the rotor and the piston to convert rotational motion of the rotor into reciprocating motion of the piston; 2. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the compressor is configured so that the eccentricity of the crank relative to the rotor increases as the rotation speed of the rotor increases, thereby increasing the compression rate in the pump chamber, and the load reduction mechanism is configured by the crank.

6. A method for atomizing a liquid medicine in a nebulizer, comprising: injecting compressed air from a nozzle, imparting a liquid medicine to the injected compressed air, and spraying the air against a baffle to generate an aerosol; The nebulizer a compressor including a shading motor as a power source and provided with an outlet for discharging compressed air generated by driving the shading motor; a flow path connecting the discharge port and the nozzle, The shading motor has a rotor and an apparent volume of 78,000 mm 3 and a stator made of a soft magnetic material, The method for atomizing a liquid medicine comprises: starting the driving of the shading motor; and reducing the load applied to the shading motor by suppressing a pressure increase in the flow path during the period from a first point in time when the shading motor starts to operate to a second point in time when the rotation speed of the rotor reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

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