Flow regulator

Abstract

To provide a flow rate adjustor capable of recognizing approximate available time corresponding to a present pressure of a gas cylinder by setting a gas flow rate.SOLUTION: A flow rate adjustor 1 includes a body 10, a connecting portion 11 connected to a gas supply source, a primary pressure chamber 14 connected to the connecting portion, a secondary pressure chamber 16 connected to the primary pressure chamber through a pressure adjusting portion 20, a supply portion 12 that is connected to the secondary pressure chamber through a flow rate adjusting portion 40 and is connected to a gas supply destination, a pressure display portion 30 that has a pointer rotating according to the pressure of the primary pressure chamber, a display member 43 that is disposed so as to surround a pressure gauge 31, has a rough estimate display portion formed with a plurality of display portions indicating rough estimate of available time, and a plurality of setting flow rate portions formed coaxially with the rough estimate display potion, an orifice plate 41 that has a plurality of holes 41d having a diameter corresponding to the setting flow rate portion of the setting flow rate display portion, and a setting dial 42 that is rotatably attached to the body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow regulator that reduces the pressure of high-pressure gas supplied from a gas cylinder and adjusts the flow rate before supplying it, and more particularly to a flow regulator that allows the approximate usable time to be determined based on the pressure of the gas cylinder and the set gas flow rate. [Background technology]

[0002] Patients who require oxygen can move around by towing a cart equipped with a gas cylinder filled with medical oxygen gas. Hospitals and clinics often provide medical oxygen to patients by installing gas cylinders in their patient rooms or by carrying them on stretchers. The pressure of these gas cylinders is higher than the pressure required for the patient. Therefore, a flow regulator with pressure reduction and flow rate adjustment functions is used to reduce the pressure of the medical oxygen gas stored in the gas cylinder to the pressure required for the patient and adjust the flow rate.

[0003] The gas cylinders mounted on carts or installed in hospital rooms have an extremely small capacity and contain only a small amount of medical oxygen gas, so the time they can be used is limited, making it necessary to constantly monitor the pressure of the medical oxygen gas stored in the gas cylinder. For this reason, pressure regulators have been proposed that can detect when the remaining amount in a gas cylinder is low.

[0004] For example, the remaining gas amount display device described in Patent Document 1 incorporates a movable cylinder having a surface of a certain color (e.g., green or red), and is configured by attaching the base of a casing with a see-through window to the side of the pressure regulator body and communicating with the gas flow path. The movable cylinder moves due to the pressure of gas leaking into the casing, and a surface of a certain color appears in the see-through window. The movable cylinder moves according to the pressure of gas flowing into the casing, and when there is sufficient gas remaining in the gas cylinder, green appears in the see-through window. When the gas cylinder becomes low and the gas pressure decreases, the movable cylinder moves and red appears, allowing the remaining gas amount to be recognized.

[0005] In addition, the pressure regulator described in Patent Document 2 has a warning horn connected to a high-pressure gas chamber formed inside the casing, and is configured so that when the pressure inside the high-pressure gas chamber drops, the warning horn will sound to notify those around that the residual pressure in the gas cylinder has dropped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-177698 (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 57-75592) [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6253295 (JP 2015-025527) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Those receiving medical oxygen gas from a gas cylinder and those operating the system need to know how much time is left that can be used from the gas cylinder they are using. However, the remaining gas display device described in Patent Document 1 displays the current pressure of the gas cylinder, allowing for an approximate understanding of the remaining pressure, but does not provide a precise indication of the remaining time. As a result, patients or caregivers must determine the remaining time based on the volume and remaining pressure of the gas cylinder and the current flow rate, but this determination is problematic as it is a difficult task.

[0008] Furthermore, the pressure regulator described in Patent Document 2 has the function of sounding a horn to notify the user that the remaining pressure in the gas cylinder has decreased, but it has the problem that it is not configured to be able to determine the remaining usable time from the pressure in the gas cylinder.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a flow regulator that can recognize the approximate usable time corresponding to the current pressure of a gas cylinder by setting the gas flow rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A representative flow rate regulator according to the present invention for solving the above problems includes a main body, a connection portion disposed in the main body and connected to a gas supply source, a primary pressure chamber disposed inside the main body and connected to the connection portion, a secondary pressure chamber disposed inside the main body and connected to the primary pressure chamber via a pressure adjustment portion, a supply portion disposed in the main body and connected to the secondary pressure chamber via the flow rate adjustment portion and connected to a supply destination of gas whose flow rate has been adjusted, and a pressure gauge connected to the primary pressure chamber and having a pointer that rotates in response to the pressure in the primary pressure chamber. Applicable The pressure gauge is surrounded by a display member on which a plurality of reference values ​​are displayed, and arranged in concentric circles The reference value is selectively exposed through a window, thereby enabling the gas supply source to be Available rest Estimated time display and, a set flow rate display unit having a plurality of set flow rate sections formed concentrically with the guide display unit; A plurality of holes are formed between the secondary pressure chamber and the supply section, and have diameters corresponding to the set flow rate section to determine the flow rate. an orifice plate; Along with multiple of the above-mentioned reference values rotatably attached to the main body handle It has the following characteristics. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The flow regulator of the present invention is connected to a gas cylinder that serves as a gas supply source, and supplies the gas filled in the cylinder to the primary pressure chamber.When the flow rate for the patient is set, the remaining pressure in the gas cylinder and the approximate usable time can be seen from the pointer on the pressure display.

[0012] That is, a display member is disposed that has a pressure display unit having a pointer that rotates in response to the pressure in the primary pressure chamber, a guideline display unit having a plurality of display units that indicate an approximate usable time around the pressure display unit, and a set flow rate display unit having a plurality of set flow rate units that are formed concentrically with the guideline display unit, so that when the setting dial is turned to set the required flow rate, the guideline display unit also rotates around the pressure display unit, and one of the display units that indicates an approximate usable time faces the pointer.The approximate usable time can be ascertained from the display unit facing the pointer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a flow rate regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a main part of the flow rate regulator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a development view illustrating the configuration of a main part of the flow rate regulator according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The configuration of a flow regulator according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The flow regulator 1 shown in the drawings is configured as a flow regulator that can be attached to a gas cylinder (hereinafter simply referred to as a "cylinder") filled with medical oxygen (hereinafter simply referred to as "oxygen"), which serves as a gas supply source. Because cylinders occupy a small area and are easily movable, they are installed in examination rooms, treatment rooms, operating rooms, etc. in medical institutions, and are mounted on stretchers and carts used to transport patients.

[0015] First, we will explain the general configuration of the flow regulator 1 according to this embodiment. The flow regulator 1 is attached to the mouthpiece of a cylinder, and supplies high-pressure oxygen filled in the cylinder by adjusting the pressure and flow rate to a preset level corresponding to the patient, and is configured to be able to determine the approximate usable time of the cylinder based on the remaining pressure in the cylinder and the set flow rate.

[0016] A connection part 11 is disposed on one side surface of a main body 10 constituting the flow regulator 1, and is connected to a cylinder (not shown) that serves as an oxygen supply source. A primary pressure chamber 14 is formed inside the main body 10 and is continuous with the connection part 11, and a pressure adjustment part 20 and a secondary pressure chamber 16 are disposed continuous with the primary pressure chamber 14. A pressure display part 30 is disposed on the top of the main body 10, and a flow adjustment part 40 is disposed therein that is rotatable around the pressure display part 30. Furthermore, a supply part 12 is disposed on the other side surface of the main body 10, and is continuous with the secondary pressure chamber 16 and supplies oxygen to a destination.

[0017] The primary pressure chamber 14 is connected to the flow path 11a of the connection part 11 via a primary gas flow path 14a. The secondary pressure chamber 16 is connected to the flow path 12a of the supply part 12 via secondary gas flow paths (upstream flow path 16a, gas chamber 16c, downstream flow path 16b).

[0018] High-pressure oxygen supplied from connection unit 11 flows through flow path 11a and primary gas flow path 14a into primary pressure chamber 14, and the pressure (cylinder pressure) of primary pressure chamber 14 can be displayed by pressure gauge 31 constituting pressure display unit 30. Furthermore, the oxygen that has flowed into primary pressure chamber 14 is reduced to a preset pressure by passing through pressure adjustment unit 20 and then flows into secondary pressure chamber 16. Furthermore, by operating flow rate adjustment unit 40, the reduced-pressure oxygen in secondary pressure chamber 16 can be adjusted to a set flow rate and supplied from supply unit 12 via secondary gas flow paths (16a-16c) to a patient who requires oxygen.

[0019] In particular, a display member 43 having a reference value 43c, which serves as a reference display section showing an estimate of available time, and a set value c, which serves as a set flow rate display section for setting the amount of oxygen supplied, is arranged around the pressure gauge 31 constituting the pressure display section 30. This makes it possible to check the remaining pressure in the cylinder and at the same time recognize the estimated available time corresponding to the set flow rate.

[0020] Next, each component of the flow rate regulator 1 will be described in detail.

[0021] The main body 10 has a primary side member 10a having a boss-shaped shaft portion 10c, with a primary pressure chamber 14 formed by axially penetrating the shaft portion 10c, and a secondary side member 10b that houses the pressure adjusting portion 20 and has a secondary pressure chamber 16. The main body 10 is constructed by joining the primary side member 10a and the secondary side member 10b with a plurality of screws 10d.

[0022] A pressure gauge 31 constituting the pressure display unit 30 is fastened to the end of the shaft 10c of the primary side member 10a constituting the main body 10, and is configured to display the remaining pressure in the cylinder by rotating a pointer 31a in response to the oxygen pressure in the primary pressure chamber 14. In addition, an orifice plate 41 constituting the flow rate adjustment unit 40 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the shaft 10c so as to be rotatable around the shaft 10c.

[0023] The connection part 11 is connected to a cylinder and supplies oxygen filled in the cylinder to a primary pressure chamber 14 formed in the main body 10. To this end, the connection part 11 has a connection pipe 11b formed with a flow path 11a connected to a primary gas flow path 14a, and a cap nut 11c rotatably attached to the connection pipe 11b. The flow regulator 1 can be connected to the cylinder by fastening the cap nut 11c to the nozzle of the cylinder.

[0024] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 11 is configured with a cap nut 11c, but the configuration is not limited to this and any configuration may be used as long as it corresponds to the shape of the nozzle of the cylinder. For example, depending on the shape of the nozzle of the cylinder, there is a configuration having a square frame, generally called a gut, and a set screw.

[0025] The pressure adjusting unit 20 has the function of reducing the pressure of high-pressure oxygen supplied to the primary pressure chamber 14 to a preset pressure. To this end, the pressure adjusting unit 20 is configured to include a nozzle 21 provided in the primary pressure chamber 14, a piston 22 having a spring 23 arranged opposite the nozzle 21, a spring 24 that biases the piston 22, and a spring guide 25.

[0026] In the pressure adjusting unit 20 configured as described above, when oxygen is not being supplied from the cylinder to the primary pressure chamber 14, the piston 22, biased by the spring 24, moves toward the nozzle 21. When high-pressure oxygen is supplied to the primary pressure chamber 14, the pressure of the oxygen acts on the cap 23 through the nozzle 21, and the piston 22 moves against the biasing force of the spring 24 to move the cap 23 away from the nozzle 21. As a result, the high-pressure oxygen present in the primary pressure chamber 14 flows through the nozzle 21 into the secondary pressure chamber 16, and in this process, the pressure is reduced to a preset level.

[0027] The pressure display unit 30 is configured to have a pressure gauge 31 that displays the pressure of the primary pressure chamber 14 , a display frame 32 that is configured integrally with the pressure gauge 31 , and a cover 33 .

[0028] The pressure gauge 31 has a pointer 31a that rotates in response to the pressure in the primary pressure chamber 14, and is attached by threading a screw formed at the tip of a boss portion 31b onto a shaft portion 10c of a primary side member 10a that constitutes the main body 10. A wrench hook 31c and a groove 31d are formed at a predetermined position on the boss 31b. The pressure gauge 31 can be attached to the shaft portion 10c by hooking a wrench on the wrench hook 31c and rotating it. A display frame 32 is fixed via the groove 31d.

[0029] The display frame 32 has a storage recess 32a that stores the pressure gauge 31, a fitting hole 32b that is formed continuously with the storage recess 32a and into which the boss 31b of the pressure gauge 31 is fitted, an attachment portion 32c that is provided in at least one position corresponding to the groove 31d, and a flange 32d that is formed on the upper part of the storage recess 32a.

[0030] Mounting portions 32c are formed as protrusions at multiple locations on the outer periphery of fitting hole 32b, and each mounting portion 32c is provided with a setscrew 32c1 that penetrates from the outer periphery toward fitting hole 32b. Setscrew 32c1 is threadedly engaged with plate-shaped nut 32c2 disposed on mounting portion 32c, and its tip presses against groove 31d of pressure gauge 31, thereby integrating pressure gauge 31 and display frame 32. A lock nut 32c3 and a washer 31c4 are fastened to set screw 32c1 to prevent loosening.

[0031] A plurality of windows 32d1 to 32d4 are formed in the flange 32d. Window 32d1 displays the set flow rate value of oxygen and is formed at a position corresponding to the set value set in a display member 43 constituting a flow rate adjuster 40 (described later), for example, at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the flange 32d. Windows 32d2 to 32d4 display an estimate of the usable time of the cylinder and are formed at positions corresponding to the scales 5, 10, and 15 of the pressure gauge 31 on the inner periphery of the flange 32d close to the pressure gauge 31.

[0032] Then, boss 31b of pressure gauge 31 is fitted into fitting hole 32b of display frame 32, and windows 32d2 to 32d4 are aligned to face scales 5, 10, and 15 of pressure gauge 31, respectively. Then, setscrew 32c1 is tightened to integrate pressure gauge 31 and display frame 32, and the upper surface is covered with cover 33. Therefore, pressure gauge 31 and display frame 32 are integrated with main body 10 by being fixed to shaft 10c of primary-side member 10a.

[0033] The flow rate adjusting unit 40 has the function of adjusting the oxygen pressure adjusted in the pressure adjusting unit 20 to a preset flow rate corresponding to the target patient. To this end, the flow rate adjusting unit 40 has an orifice plate 41 arranged to cross the upstream flow path 16a and downstream flow path 16c connected to the secondary pressure chamber 16, a handle 42 for rotating the orifice plate 41, and a display member 43 that displays the set flow rate value and an estimate of the available time.

[0034] The orifice plate 41 has a plate 41a, a boss 41b formed in the center of the plate 41a, and an attachment portion 41c formed at the tip of the boss 41b. The boss 41b is fitted onto a shaft portion 10c of a primary side member 10a constituting the main body 10, so that the orifice plate 41 can rotate around the shaft portion 10c.

[0035] A plurality of orifices 41d having different diameters are formed in plate 41a of orifice plate 41 at equiangularly spaced positions on a predetermined circumference, and through holes 41e are formed on a circumference different from the circumference on which orifices 41d are formed. When boss 41b of orifice plate 41 is fitted onto shaft portion 10c of primary side member 10a, plate 41a is positioned across the secondary gas flow path connecting secondary pressure chamber 16 and supply portion 12, thereby dividing the flow path into upstream flow path 16a on the secondary pressure chamber 16 side, downstream flow path 16c on the supply portion 12 side, and gas chamber 16b.

[0036] The upstream flow path 16a and the gas chamber 16b communicate with each other via the through-hole 41e, and the gas chamber 16b and the downstream flow path 16c communicate with each other via the orifice 41d. Therefore, by rotating the orifice plate 41 and selecting an orifice 41d corresponding to a target flow rate and arranging it so that it crosses the upstream flow path 16a and the downstream flow path 16c, it is possible to adjust the oxygen flow rate to correspond to the diameter of the orifice 41d that has been arranged.

[0037] The handle 42 rotates the orifice plate 41 and the display member 43 simultaneously when operating the flow rate regulator 1. A fitting hole 42a that fits into the boss 41b of the orifice plate 41 is formed in the handle 42. The fitting hole 42a is fitted into the boss 41b, and the handle 42 is fixed to an attachment portion 41c formed at the tip of the boss 41b using a fixing member 45 such as a snap ring. The boss 41b has at least one fitting hole formed in a shape such as a chamfer that corresponds to the fitting hole 42a, and serves as positioning and a rotation stopper.

[0038] A recess 42b for receiving the display member 43 and multiple locking portions 42c are formed in the upper portion of the handle 42, and an opening 42d is formed in the side surface. This opening 42d is for passing a spanner or wrench through when fastening the pressure gauge 31 of the pressure display unit 30 to the shaft portion 10c of the primary side member 10a.

[0039] 3, the pressure indicator 30 and the handle 42 constituting the flow rate adjuster 40 are assembled in advance, and the pressure gauge 31 can be fixed to the shaft 10c by inserting a wrench through the opening 42d and rotating it using the wrench hook 31c. In addition, since the display frame 32 is formed with a plurality of mounting portions 32c, it is possible to fix the display frame 32 to the pressure gauge 31 by facing one mounting portion 32c to the opening 42d, passing a wrench through it and tightening the setscrew 32c, and then rotating the handle 42 to face the other mounting portion 32c and tightening the setscrew 32c.

[0040] The display member 43 has the function of displaying the set flow rate value and the estimated usable time of the cylinder corresponding to this set value, and has a hole 43a formed in the center that is larger than the outer diameter of the display frame 32a that constitutes the pressure display unit 30. In addition, a hook-shaped engaging portion 43b is formed on the outer periphery, and the display member 43 is attached to a locking portion 42c formed on the handle 42 by the engaging portion 43b.

[0041] Therefore, the display member 43 is configured integrally with the handle 42, and by rotating the handle 42, the orifice plate 41 and the display member 43 simultaneously rotate in the same direction around the pressure gauge 31.

[0042] A plurality of set values ​​43c consisting of numbers are displayed on the surface of the display member 43, on the circumference corresponding to the window 32d1 formed in the flange 32d of the display frame 32 that constitutes the pressure display unit 30. Also, guide values ​​43d that indicate the available time are displayed on the circumference corresponding to the windows 32d2 to 32d4, respectively.

[0043] The set value 43c is the flow rate per unit time (liters per minute) and is displayed numerically, for example, 0.25, 1, 2, or 3. The guideline value 43d is displayed corresponding to the set flow rate and the pressure (5, 10, or 15) displayed by the pressure gauge 31. For this reason, when 0.5 (0.5 liters per minute) is selected as a certain set value 43c, the guideline value 43d corresponding to the available time is displayed in the window 32d2 corresponding to the pressure 5, and similarly, the guideline values ​​43d corresponding to the pressures 10 and 15 are displayed in the windows 32d3, .., and 32d4, respectively.

[0044] The indication format of the guideline is not particularly limited, and it may be displayed in time or in a color that attracts attention. In this embodiment, if there is sufficient available time, it is displayed in green, if there is only a short available time, it is displayed in red, and if there is an intermediate time, it is displayed in yellow.

[0045] Therefore, as the usage time passes without changing the set flow rate, the pressure indicated by the pointer 31a of the pressure gauge 31 decreases from 15 to 10 to 5, and the displayed content of the guideline value 43d indicated by the pointer 31a changes accordingly. Therefore, the patient using the device or the person in charge of operation can roughly determine the available time by visually checking the guideline value 43d indicated by the pointer 31a.

[0046] As described above, the indication displayed in correspondence with the displayed pressure value corresponds to the set flow rate value. Therefore, for example, if the set flow rate value is large, the display is set to indicate that the available time is short even if the displayed pressure value is large. Conversely, if the set flow rate value is small, the display is set to indicate that the available time is long even if the displayed pressure value is small.

[0047] Also, even if the flow rate setting is the same, the available time varies depending on the capacity of the cylinder. The display member 43 is prepared to correspond to each capacity of the cylinder. For example, if the capacity of the cylinder is large, it indicates that the available time is longer compared to a cylinder with a small capacity, regardless of the set flow rate value.

[0048] The oxygen, the flow rate of which has been adjusted by the flow rate setting unit 40, passes through the orifice 41d of the orifice plate 41, flows from the downstream flow path 16c into the flow path 12a, and is supplied from the supply unit 12 to the patient.

[0049] The structure of the supply unit 12 is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the structure of the patient receiving the oxygen supply. In this embodiment, the supply unit 12 is rotatably attached to the secondary side member 10b of the main body 10. This makes it easy to handle the oxygen tube (not shown) connected to the supply unit 12. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The flow regulator according to the present invention is capable of recognizing an estimate of the usable time when used with a gas cylinder. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Flow regulator 10 Main Unit 10a Primary member 10b Secondary member 10c shaft part 10d screw 11 Connection 11a, 12a flow paths 11b Connecting pipe 11c Cap Nut 12 Supply section 14 Primary pressure chamber 14a Primary gas flow path 16 Secondary pressure chamber 16a Upstream channel 16b Gas Chamber 16c Downstream channel 20 Pressure adjustment unit 21 nozzles 22 Piston 23 Kerep 24 springs 25 Spring guide 30 Pressure display unit 31 Pressure gauge 31a Guidelines 31b boss part 31c Spanner holder 31d groove 32 display frames 32a Receiving recess 32b mating hole 32c Mounting part 32c1 Set screw 32c2 nut 32c3 lock nut 32d flange 32c4 washer 32d1~32d4 windows 33 Cover 40 Flow rate adjustment section 41 Orifice plate 41a Plate 41b Boss 41c Mounting part 41d Orifice 41e Through hole 42 Handle 42a Mating hole 42b Recess 42c Locking part 42d aperture 43 Display components 43a hole 43b Engagement part 43c Setting value 43d Reference Value 45 Fixing member

Claims

1. The main body and a connection portion disposed on the body and connected to a gas supply source; a primary pressure chamber disposed inside the main body and connected to the connection portion; a secondary pressure chamber disposed inside the main body and connected to the primary pressure chamber via a pressure adjusting unit; a supply unit disposed in the main body and connected to the secondary pressure chamber via a flow rate adjustment unit, and connected to a supply destination of the gas whose flow rate is adjusted; a pressure gauge connected to the primary pressure chamber and having a pointer that rotates in response to the pressure in the primary pressure chamber; a display member surrounding the pressure gauge and displaying a plurality of reference values; an indicator display unit that selectively exposes the indicator value from a window that is concentrically arranged with the indicator value to indicate an indicator of the remaining usable time of the gas supply source; a set flow rate display unit having a plurality of set flow rate sections formed concentrically with the guideline display unit; an orifice plate disposed between the secondary pressure chamber and the supply unit and having a plurality of holes formed therein, the holes having diameters corresponding to the set flow rate sections and determining the flow rate; and a handle rotatably attached to the main body together with the plurality of guideline values; A flow rate regulator comprising:

2. A flow regulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that the multiple reference values ​​are differently colored.

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