Humidifiers and oxygen concentrators

Abstract

To provide a humidifier which is reliably connectable by adapting to variation in a connecting position with the thermal expansion of a member with variation in environmental temperature, and an oxygen concentrator equipped with the humidifier.SOLUTION: A humidifier is equipped with an adjusting unit which adjusts a nozzle interval between an inlet nozzle or an outlet nozzle of a water humidifier for humidifying a dry gas and a nozzle supporting structure supporting the nozzle. The oxygen concentrator is equipped with the humidifier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator that separates oxygen from air, and more particularly to an oxygen concentrator equipped with a water humidifier for appropriately humidifying the dry oxygen-enriched gas that is produced. [Background technology]

[0002] The number of patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, as well as viral pneumonia caused by COVID-19, is increasing. Oxygen inhalation therapy is one of the most effective treatments for these conditions. Oxygen inhalation therapy involves inhaling oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched gas to patients with respiratory diseases. While oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen, and oxygen gas cylinders are known as oxygen supply sources, oxygen concentrators are the mainstream for home oxygen therapy due to their ease of use and maintenance.

[0003] An oxygen concentrator separates and concentrates the approximately 21% of oxygen present in the air and supplies it. Known types of oxygen concentrators include membrane oxygen concentrators, which use a membrane that selectively allows oxygen to pass through, and pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentrators, which use an adsorbent that preferentially adsorbs nitrogen or oxygen. Pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentrators are primarily used for home oxygen therapy because they can provide oxygen at concentrations of over 90%.

[0004] Pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentrators can continuously produce highly concentrated oxygen-enriched gas by alternately repeating the following steps: a pressurization / adsorption process in which nitrogen is adsorbed into the adsorbent under pressurized conditions by supplying air compressed by a compressor to an adsorption column filled with molecular sieve zeolite such as 5A, 13X, or Li-X, which is an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen over oxygen, and unadsorbed oxygen is obtained; and a decompression / desorption process in which the pressure in the adsorption column is reduced to atmospheric pressure or below and the nitrogen adsorbed by the adsorbent is purged to regenerate the adsorbent.

[0005] Zeolite, which is used as a nitrogen adsorbent, has the property of adsorbing moisture from the air, so the oxygen-enriched gas produced is discharged in a dry state with almost no humidity. Therefore, to prevent the patient's nasal cavity and oral cavity from drying out due to the continuous inhalation of dry oxygen-enriched gas, many oxygen concentrators are equipped with a humidifier to supply humidified oxygen-enriched gas. Due to their high humidifying performance, bubble-type humidifiers are commonly used, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 7-165402. These humidifiers humidify the dry oxygen-enriched gas by passing it through a bubble generator that introduces water into the oxygen-enriched gas and generates bubbles, thereby adding moisture (Patent Document 1).

[0006] Humidifiers installed midway through the flow path of an oxygen concentrator require the user to refill or replace the humidifying water, so various ideas have been incorporated to prevent water leaks during replacement or oxygen leaks due to poor connections. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-185415 discloses a design that provides irregularities on the mounting surfaces of the humidifier container and oxygen concentrator to prevent incorrect installation of the humidifier, and a design that prevents improper tightening of the humidifier lid and container (Patent Document 2). WO 2011 / 087110 also discloses a device that adjusts the position of an O-ring on the nozzle so that the outlet side of the humidifier breaks before the inlet side, preventing humidifying water from spraying out when the humidifier is removed while exhaust pressure is applied to the oxygen concentrator due to a bent cannula, etc. (Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-165402 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-185415 [Patent Document 3] WO2011 / 087110 issue Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The humidifier and oxygen concentrator, which are equipped with various functions, are designed to be connected precisely between the nozzle on the oxygen concentrator and the humidifier lid that fits onto it to prevent oxygen leakage.

[0009] Oxygen concentrators are used in various environments around the world to provide oxygen inhalation therapy to patients with respiratory diseases. Therefore, even indoors, they may be used in extremely hot environments with temperatures exceeding 35°C or below 5°C. The humidifier lids used in oxygen concentrators are typically made of resins such as ABS, while the inlet and outlet nozzles that fit into them are made of stainless steel. The structural components of the oxygen concentrator, which serve as the mounting base for the nozzles, are often made of aluminum. Due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients, misalignment can occur between the oxygen concentrator's oxygen inlet and outlet nozzles and their mating parts on the humidifier lid, requiring force when attaching or detaching the humidifier, and potentially resulting in poor connection.

[0010] The present invention provides a humidifier and an oxygen concentrator equipped with it that can be reliably connected and adaptable to changes in the connection position due to thermal expansion of components caused by changes in environmental temperature, by providing a movable area to support the inlet and outlet nozzles, which are the connecting parts between the oxygen concentrator and the humidifier, rather than by completely fixing them in place with the structural part of the oxygen concentrator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] As a solution to this problem, the present inventors have discovered the following device: That is, the present invention is a humidifier for humidifying dry gas, comprising an inlet nozzle for introducing the gas and an outlet nozzle for discharging the humidified gas, a nozzle support structure for supporting the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle in parallel, a humidifying container for containing water for humidification, and a lid that seals the humidifying container and has an inlet and an outlet for the gas that fit airtightly between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle, respectively, and The humidifier is characterized by comprising an adjustment unit for adjusting the nozzle interval between the inlet nozzle or outlet nozzle and the nozzle support structure.

[0012] The present invention also provides a humidifier characterized in that the adjustment unit has a gap between the inlet nozzle or outlet nozzle and the nozzle support structure, and in particular, has a flange-type bearing that receives the inlet nozzle or outlet nozzle, and is supported at a predetermined interval so that the adjustment unit can move between the flange-type bearing and the nozzle support structure.

[0013] The present invention also provides a humidifier, wherein the range of movement between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle is 0.2 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides an adsorption-type oxygen concentrator that includes an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen over oxygen and separates unadsorbed oxygen-enriched gas from air, and also includes a humidifier that humidifies the generated oxygen-enriched gas, The oxygen concentrator device is characterized in that the humidifier comprises an inlet nozzle for introducing oxygen-enriched gas and an outlet nozzle for discharging humidified oxygen-enriched gas, a nozzle support structure for supporting the inlet nozzle and outlet nozzle in parallel, a humidifying container for holding water for humidification, and a lid that seals the humidifying container and has an inlet and outlet for the oxygen-enriched gas that fit airtightly between the inlet nozzle and outlet nozzle, respectively, and an adjustment unit for adjusting the nozzle spacing between the inlet nozzle or outlet nozzle and the nozzle support structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] Oxygen concentrators are designed to be used primarily in room temperature environments, such as 15°C to 25°C, but also to demonstrate their oxygen generating capabilities in room temperature environments, such as 5°C to 35°C, or even higher. As for humidifiers, users themselves attach and detach them when changing the water, so easy and reliable flow path connection is required. This invention does not require dimensional accuracy in the fit between the inlet and outlet nozzles and the humidifier lid, but instead provides a movable area in the fixed part between the inlet and outlet nozzles and the support structure of the oxygen concentrator that supports them. This absorbs the effects of thermal expansion caused by changes in the temperature of the operating environment, allowing users to reliably change the water in the humidifier and attach and detach the oxygen concentrator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the external view of the oxygen concentrator. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an external view of a humidifying container mounted on an oxygen concentrator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the humidifier housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection between the humidification container and the oxygen concentrator. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a partially enlarged view A of the cross section showing the connection between the humidification container and the oxygen concentrator. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a partially enlarged view B of the cross-sectional view showing the connection between the humidifier and the oxygen concentrator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the oxygen concentrator of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentrator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is its external view. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentrator of the present invention comprises compressor 101, which supplies raw air; adsorption column 102, which is filled with an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen over oxygen; supply valve 103, exhaust valve 104, and pressure equalizing valve 105, which are flow path switching devices that switch between the adsorption and desorption processes; oxygen-enriched gas separated and produced from the raw air is adjusted to a predetermined flow rate using pressure regulator valve 108 and control valve 109, which are flow rate setting devices; the gas is then humidified using water humidifier 110, and supplied to the user via a cannula.

[0018] Ordinary air contains approximately 21% oxygen gas, approximately 77% nitrogen gas, 0.8% argon gas, and 1.2% carbon dioxide and other gases. This system separates and extracts the oxygen needed for breathing. Separation of oxygen-enriched gas is achieved in the adsorption process by controlling the opening and closing of supply valve 103 and exhaust valve 104 to an adsorption column filled with an adsorbent such as zeolite, which selectively adsorbs nitrogen molecules over oxygen molecules. This switches the flow path to adsorption column 102, which is the target of raw air supply, and sequentially supplies compressed air from compressor 101. Approximately 77% of the nitrogen gas contained in the raw air is selectively adsorbed and removed within the pressurized adsorption column.

[0019] The adsorption columns are cylindrical containers filled with an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen over oxygen. The number of adsorption columns is determined based on the amount of oxygen produced. To continuously and efficiently produce oxygen-enriched gas from feed air, it is preferable to use a two-cylinder or multi-cylinder adsorption column as shown in Figure 1.

[0020] The oxygen-enriched gas, which is mainly composed of oxygen and has not been adsorbed in the adsorption column, flows into product tank 107 via check valve 106, which is provided to prevent backflow into the adsorption column, and is temporarily stored there.

[0021] In order to continuously generate oxygen-enriched gas, it is necessary to desorb and remove the nitrogen adsorbed in the adsorbent filled in the adsorption column. Therefore, in the desorption process, the supply valve is closed and the exhaust valve is opened to connect the adsorption column to the exhaust line, and the pressurized adsorption column is switched to an open state, where the nitrogen adsorbed in the pressurized state is desorbed and the adsorbent is regenerated.

[0022] The two adsorption columns are controlled by staggering the operations of each process, so that while one adsorption column is performing the adsorption process to generate oxygen, the other adsorption column is performing the desorption process to regenerate the adsorbent, and oxygen is generated continuously by switching between the processes.

[0023] Oxygen-enriched gas is produced from raw air and temporarily stored in a product tank. The oxygen-enriched gas stored in the product tank contains highly concentrated oxygen, for example, 95%. The supply flow rate and pressure are controlled by a flow rate setting device such as a pressure regulator or control valve, and the humidified oxygen-enriched gas is supplied to the patient. Such a humidifier can be a bubbling type humidifier or a surface evaporation type humidifier that uses water as the humidification source.

[0024] The flow rate and oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas supplied to the user are detected by an ultrasonic oxygen concentration / flow rate sensor, and the compressor rotation speed and the opening and closing time of the flow path switching valve are feedback-controlled based on the detected oxygen concentration value and oxygen supply flow rate value, making it possible to control oxygen generation.

[0025] The adsorption column is filled with molecular sieve zeolites such as Na-X, Li-X, and MD-X, which act as adsorbents that selectively adsorb nitrogen over oxygen. Since they adsorb moisture from the air while also adsorbing nitrogen, the oxygen-enriched gas produced is separated as a nearly bone-dry gas. To prevent the nostrils and other parts of the body from drying out due to continuous inhalation of this oxygen-enriched gas, a water humidifier is installed in the piping connecting the product tank, which temporarily stores the produced oxygen-enriched gas, to the cannula that supplies oxygen to the patient. This humidifies the oxygen-enriched gas by bubbling humidified water.

[0026] Water humidifier 210 for humidifying oxygen-enriched gas has a humidifier connected vertically to a humidifier housing provided in the center of the front of the housing, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in the schematic external view of Fig. 3, this humidifier is composed of humidification container 301 for holding humidifying water and lid 302 for sealing it, and the lid portion is provided with inlet 303 and outlet 304 that fit respectively with inlet nozzle 313 for supplying dry oxygen-enriched gas from the oxygen concentrator and outlet nozzle 314 for delivering humidified oxygen-enriched gas to the oxygen concentrator, and form receiving sides for airtight connection.

[0027] The humidifier is attached to the oxygen concentrator via a nozzle support structure in the humidifier housing. An inlet nozzle 313 and an outlet nozzle 314 are attached vertically to nozzle support structure 315, which serves as the humidifier mounting base. Dry oxygen-enriched gas produced by the oxygen concentrator is introduced from inlet nozzle 313 into humidifying container 301 through inlet 303 in the lid. Humidified oxygen-enriched gas in the humidifying container is returned to the oxygen concentrator via outlet 304 in lid 302 and outlet nozzle 314. Inlet nozzle 313, outlet nozzle 314, and inlet 303 and outlet 304 in lid 302 are detachable and can be easily removed by pulling the handle upward. Lid 302 and humidifying container 301 are also detachable; water for humidification can be replenished into the humidifying container by rotating and removing the lid.

[0028] It is preferable to manufacture inlet nozzle 313 and outlet nozzle 314 from stainless steel and nozzle support structure 315 from aluminum, from the viewpoints of reducing the weight of the device and of strength and durability. Furthermore, humidifier lid 302, which forms the inlet and outlet, is a resin molded product, and it is preferable to use ABS resin from the viewpoints of strength and durability.

[0029] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of humidifier housing 400, showing in detail inlet nozzle 413 and outlet nozzle 414 that form the connection part between the oxygen concentrator of the present invention and the humidifier. In order to maintain a sealed structure between inlet nozzle 413 and outlet nozzle 414 provided on nozzle support structure 415 and between the inlet nozzle receiving side and outlet nozzle receiving side on the lid side, sealing materials in the form of inlet nozzle Y-ring 416 and outlet nozzle Y-ring 417 are attached to the inlet nozzle 413 and outlet nozzle 414, respectively. These do not necessarily have to be Y-rings as long as they can ensure sealing function, and O-rings or other shapes may also be used.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the humidifier attached to the nozzle support structure of the oxygen concentrator, Figure 6 shows a partially enlarged view A showing the support state between the outlet nozzle and the nozzle support structure, and Figure 7 shows a partially enlarged view B showing the support state between the inlet nozzle and the nozzle support structure.

[0031] The outlet nozzle and inlet nozzle are supported by the nozzle support structure at intervals of 100 mm. The nozzle spacing is designed as appropriate, such as 50 mm or 250 mm, depending on the size and capacity of the humidifier. The stainless steel outlet nozzle 514 is supported by two upper and lower flange-type bearings 516 and 517 on an aluminum nozzle support structure 515, which is one of the structural components of the oxygen concentrator housing, and is fastened and fixed with a nut 518. Metal materials such as stainless steel and aluminum are often used for the nozzle support structure to maintain strength, and aluminum is preferably used to reduce weight.

[0032] Flange-type bearings are sliding bearings that support the nozzle shaft and are available in metal, resin, or multi-layered versions, but high-performance polymer materials such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polyamide-imide (PAI), which have excellent strength, heat resistance, and abrasion resistance, are used. The nozzle support structure is fixed between the two upper and lower flanges, and the gap between the bearings and the nozzle support structure defines the nozzle's range of motion.

[0033] In this case, by adopting a gap of 0.2 mm or more between the flange-type bearings 516, 517 and the nozzle support structure 515, and an inner diameter of the connection part with the nozzle support structure that is 0.2 mm or more larger than the outer diameter of the flange bearing, it is possible to provide a horizontal range of movement for the outlet nozzle 514.

[0034] On the other hand, the introduction side nozzle 524 is not provided with a range of motion, and is supported by being fixed directly to an aluminum nozzle support structure 525 with a nut 528 as in the conventional case.

[0035] The upper limit of the gap between the nozzle support structures is 3 mm, but it can be appropriately designed within the range of 0.2 to 3 mm, 0.2 to 2 mm, or 0.2 to 1 mm, taking into account differences in thermal expansion coefficients. If the gap is too wide, the range of motion will be wide, but there is a risk of connection difficulties due to misalignment of the connection position.

[0036] In the humidifier of the present invention, the distance between the inlet nozzle and outlet nozzle is given a range of motion of 0.2 to 3%. This allows the adjustment section, which has a range of motion between the flange-type bearing and the nozzle, to absorb any misalignment in the nozzle fitting position under the operating environment of the oxygen concentrator, which is caused by differences in the thermal expansion coefficients between the aluminum nozzle support structure that supports the inlet and outlet nozzles of the humidifier and the ABS resin humidifier lid into which the outlet and inlet nozzles fit. This makes it easy to attach and detach the humidifier, even when using the oxygen concentrator in low-temperature environments in winter or high-temperature environments in summer, and eliminates problems such as seal leaks.

[0037] In this embodiment, the inlet nozzle is fixed and the outlet nozzle is provided with the adjustment unit, but conversely, the outlet nozzle may be fixed and the adjustment unit may be provided on the inlet nozzle, or both may be provided with adjustment units. When adjustment units are provided on both the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle, the size of the range of motion can be adjusted on both the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle. [Industrial Applicability]

[0038] The humidifier of the present invention absorbs the effects of thermal expansion of the equipment due to changes in the temperature of the environment in which it is used, and provides a humidifier and oxygen concentrator that allow users to reliably change the humidifying water and attach and detach the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 101 Compressor 102 Adsorption cylinder 103 Supply valve 104 Exhaust valve 105 Pressure equalization valve 106 Check valve 107 Product Tank 108 Pressure Regulating Valve 109 Control Valve 110 water humidifier 111 Cannula 210 water humidifier 301 Humidification container 302 Humidifier lid 303 entrance 304 Outlet 313 Inlet nozzle 314 Outlet nozzle 315 Nozzle Support Structure 400 Humidifier housing 413 Inlet nozzle 414 Outlet nozzle 415 Nozzle Support Structure 416 Inlet nozzle Y ring 417 Outlet nozzle Y ring 514 Outlet nozzle 515 Nozzle Support Structure 516 Flange type bearing (upper) 517 Flange type bearing (bottom) 518 Nut 524 Inlet nozzle 525 Nozzle Support Structure 528 Nut

Claims

1. An adsorption-type oxygen concentrator is provided with an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen over oxygen, and separates unadsorbed oxygen-enriched gas from air. The adsorption-type oxygen concentrator is also provided with a humidifier that humidifies the generated oxygen-enriched gas. The oxygen concentrator includes an inlet nozzle for introducing oxygen-enriched gas and an outlet nozzle for discharging humidified oxygen-enriched gas, and the humidifier includes a nozzle support structure for supporting the inlet nozzle and outlet nozzle in parallel, a humidification container for containing water for humidification, and a lid that seals the humidification container and has an inlet and outlet for the oxygen-enriched gas that fit airtightly between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle, respectively; an adjustment unit for adjusting a nozzle interval between the introduction nozzle or the discharge nozzle and the nozzle support structure; the adjusting section has a gap between the inlet nozzle or outlet nozzle and the nozzle support structure, An oxygen concentrator comprising a flange-type bearing that receives the inlet nozzle or the outlet nozzle, and the adjustment unit is supported at a predetermined interval between the flange-type bearing and the nozzle support structure so that it can move.

2. 2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the movable range between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle is 0.2 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

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