respirator

Abstract

To provide a respiratory apparatus capable of improving usability while securing pressure resistance and blocking resistance of an intake line.SOLUTION: The respiratory apparatus includes: a respiratory apparatus body constituted of a cylinder for storing inhalation gas to be supplied to a user and mounted on the body of a user; a face body mounted to cover the face of the user; and an inhalation line 3 provided between the respiratory apparatus body and the face body and capable of supplying the inhalation gas to the inside of the face body. The inhalation line 3 includes: an inner tube 30 formed from a flexible material; and a plurality of tube covers 31 which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 30 at intervals in a length direction of the inner tube 30, in which each of the tube covers is annularly formed around an axis line O and formed from a material harder than that of the tube 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a respirator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, self - contained respirators used in scenes such as fire sites, factories, and other places where there is a possibility of oxygen deficiency or a risk of inhaling substances harmful to the human body are known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 shows an example of a self - contained respirator. In this type of respirator, intake gas from a cylinder worn by a user is supplied to a face - covering body through an intake line (intake tube).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In such a self - contained respirator, since the intake line is connected to the face - covering body, the intake line also moves and deform with the movement of the user's face. Therefore, it is preferable that the intake line adopts a flexible structure that is easy to move and deform. Especially for firefighters and others who conduct rescue activities at fire sites, it is desired to improve the followability of the intake line to the movement of the face so as not to interfere with the activities and to improve the usability of the respirator. On the other hand, if a flexible structure is adopted for the inhalation line to improve its conformability, the inhalation line becomes more susceptible to blockage by external forces. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the inhaled gas from the cylinder reaches the facepiece, the inhalation line must be circulated with inhaled gas at a relatively high pressure. Therefore, when trying to improve the blockage resistance and pressure resistance of the inhalation line, it is preferable to adopt a structure that is less prone to deformation (a rigid structure) for the inhalation line. However, when such a deformation-resistant structure is adopted for the inhalation line, the inhalation line needs to be longer than necessary to ensure that it conforms to the movement of the face, and as a result, the inhalation line can interfere with the user's activities, leading to problems such as a decrease in the usability of the ventilator.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a respiratory device that can improve usability while ensuring pressure resistance and blockage resistance of the inspiratory line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A respiratory apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cylinder containing inhaled gas supplied to the user, a respiratory apparatus body worn on the user's body, a facepiece worn to cover the user's face, and an inhalation line provided between the respiratory apparatus body and the facepiece to supply the inhaled gas to the inside of the facepiece, wherein the inhalation line has an inner tube made of a flexible material and a plurality of tube covers provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube, each formed in an annular shape around its axis using a material harder than the inner tube.

[0008] In the respiratory apparatus described above, the length of the inspiratory line in the region where multiple tube covers are provided on the inner tube may be 150 mm or more.

[0009] In the above-described respiratory apparatus, the gauge pressure of the inhaled gas flowing through the inhalation line may be 3 kPa or less.

[0010] In the respiratory apparatus described above, the inner tube has a plurality of small-diameter sections arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and large-diameter sections arranged between adjacent small-diameter sections in the longitudinal direction, with larger inner and outer diameters than the small-diameter sections, and the tube covers may be arranged one by one on each of the small-diameter sections.

[0011] In the respiratory apparatus described above, the maximum outer diameter of the tube cover may be 1.2 times or less the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion.

[0012] In the above-described respirator, the respirator body has a pressure regulator connected to the inhalation line that adjusts the pressure of the inhalation gas supplied from the cylinder into the facepiece, the facepiece has a connection part to which the inhalation line is connected, and the respirator may further include a pressure sensing line provided between the pressure regulator and the connection part to transmit pressure fluctuations inside the facepiece to the pressure regulator and operate the pressure regulator to maintain the pressure inside the facepiece at a higher pressure than the pressure outside the facepiece, and a fixing member that fixes the inhalation line and the pressure sensing line at a position between the pressure regulator and the connection part.

[0013] In the above-described respiratory apparatus, the fixing member may be a fire-resistant cover that covers both the inhalation line and the pressure sensing line from the outside.

[0014] In the above-described respiratory device, the pressure regulator may be located on the back of the user.

[0015] In the above respiratory apparatus, the facepiece has a connection part to which the inspiratory line is connected, and the inspiratory line The connection area is connected to the connection part, and the respiratory body is located further from the connection area. body near Even if it is located on the side and has a main body side region with a maximum outer diameter larger than the connection region, good.

[0016] In the above-described respirator, the tube cover disposed in the connection region may be formed of a material harder than the tube cover disposed in the main body side region.

[0017] In the above-described respirator, each of the plurality of tube covers has a plurality of cover pieces that each extend along a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube and are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the inner tube, and at at least one end in the circumferential direction of each of the plurality of cover pieces, an engaging portion for restricting relative movement between the cover pieces adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction may be provided.

[0018] In the above-described respirator, each of the plurality of tube covers disposed in the main body side region has a plurality of cover pieces that each extend along a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube and are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the inner tube, and at at least one end in the circumferential direction of each of the plurality of cover pieces, an engaging portion for restricting relative movement between the cover pieces adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is provided, and each of the plurality of tube covers disposed in the connection region may be an integral annular member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the above-described respirator, usability can be improved while ensuring the pressure resistance of the intake line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] The perspective view which shows the state which the user mounted the respirator which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is the figure which looked at the user from the diagonal front, (b) is the figure which looked at the user from the diagonal back. [Figure 2] The perspective view which shows the polyhedron in the said respirator, (a) is the figure which looked at the polyhedron from the diagonal front, (b) is the figure which looked at the polyhedron from the diagonal back. [Figure 3] The plan view which looked at the backpack of the said respirator from the back side of the user, is the schematic diagram which shows removing the cover etc. of the backpack for the sake of convenience. [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing an intake line and a pressure detection line in the above-mentioned respirator. [Figure 5] It is an overall view of an inner tube in an intake line in the above-mentioned respirator, and is a view showing one side in cross section across an axis. [Figure 6] It is a side view of a tube cover of the above-mentioned intake line as viewed from the direction of the axis. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a first cover piece and a second cover piece of the above-mentioned tube cover. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing the first cover piece of the above-mentioned tube cover. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing the second cover piece of the above-mentioned tube cover.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, the respirator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Overall Configuration) As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the respirator 100 is, for example, a self - contained respirator that supplies intake gas G to the user U in a state of being worn by the user U (such as a firefighter). Specifically, the respirator 100 includes a face - covering body 1 that is worn so as to cover the face of the user U, a respirator main body 2 that is worn on the back of the user U, and an intake line 3 and a pressure detection line 4 provided between the face - covering body 1 and the respirator main body 2.

[0022] (Face - covering Body) As shown in FIG. 2(a), the face - covering body 1 includes a face - covering body main body 10 formed of a light - transmissive material (such as a transparent resin) along the face shape, a tightening strap 11 provided on the face - covering body main body 10 for fixing the face - covering body main body 10 to the head of the user U, a barrier 12 provided inside the face - covering body main body 10 (the side facing the face of the user U), and a connection part 13 provided outside the face - covering body main body 10.

[0023] The barrier 12 is made of rubber or the like and elastically contacts the user U's face when the user U is wearing the facepiece 1, covering the user U's mouth and nose. A breathing chamber S is formed between the barrier 12 and the user U's mouth and nose, and inhaled gas G is supplied to the breathing chamber S from a gas cylinder B (see Figure 1(b)) through an inhalation line 3, which will be described in detail later.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2(b), the connection portion 13 is provided so as to protrude from the facepiece body 10. The connection portion 13 is provided with a pair of connection ports 13a, and the intake line 3 and pressure sensing line 4, which will be described in detail later, are fitted into the corresponding connection ports 13a, so that the flow paths inside the intake line 3 and pressure sensing line 4 communicate with the inside of the facepiece 1 (the inside of the facepiece body 10). For the sake of explanation, Figure 2(b) shows the facepiece 1 with its components, such as the barrier 12, removed from the facepiece body 10.

[0025] (Respiratory body) Returning to Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the respiratory unit 2 comprises a gas cylinder B in which the inhaled gas G supplied to the user U is stored, a frame-shaped backpack 21 that supports the gas cylinder B and is equipped with shoulder belts 20 and the like so that it can be attached to the back of the user U, and a pressure regulator 22 provided on the backpack 21 to adjust the pressure of the inhaled gas G flowing out of the gas cylinder B. The gas cylinder B stores compressed air at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure as the inhaled gas G.

[0026] The pressure regulator 22, although detailed illustrations and descriptions are omitted, is composed of a pressure reducing valve, a pressure demand valve, and the like. The pressure regulator 22 reduces the pressure of the inhaled gas G from the gas cylinder B to a medium pressure of 0 kPa to 3 kPa on the gauge pressure and flows it into the inhalation line 3, which will be described in detail later. The pressure regulator 22 also detects pressure fluctuations inside the facepiece 1 (inside the facepiece body 10, including the breathing chamber S) caused by the user U's breathing through the pressure sensing line 4, which will be described in detail later, and adjusts the pressure of the inhaled gas G, maintaining the pressure inside the facepiece 1 at all times in a positive pressure state, which is higher than the pressure outside the facepiece 1 (outside the facepiece body 10) (atmospheric pressure). In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 22 is located on the back of the user U as it is provided on the backpack 21.

[0027] (Intake line) The inhalation line 3 is a tubular member that connects the pressure regulator 22 and the connection part 13. In this embodiment, inhalation gas G flows through the inhalation line 3 at a gauge pressure of 0 kPa or more and 3 kPa or less. As shown in Figure 3, the inhalation line 3 is located inside the backpack 21 of the respiratory body 2 and has an internal region X connected to the pressure regulator 22, and a protruding region Y connected to the internal region X, with at least a portion of it protruding outside the backpack 21 and connected to the connection part 13 of the facepiece 1. Here, one end of the protruding region Y is fitted into one end of the internal region X from the outside or inside and fixed, for example, by a cable tie K. For this reason, the protruding region Y and the internal region X partially overlap, but for the sake of explanation below, the position of the cable tie K will be considered the boundary between the internal region X and the protruding region Y.

[0028] The main body fixing area X includes an inner tube 300 formed of a flexible material such as rubber, and an outer case 301 covering the inner tube 300. In this embodiment, the outer case 301 is a flexible metal tube that can be bent and deformed. The main body fixing area X is positioned at one end of the backpack 21 in the width direction and extends above and below the backpack 21.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the protruding region Y includes a connection region A2 connected to the connection portion 13 of the facepiece 1, and a body-side region A1 located closer to the respiratory body 2 than the connection region A2 and having a larger maximum outer diameter than the connection region A2. The connection region A2 is clamped and fixed to the connection port 13a of the connection portion 13. The body-side region A1 is fixed to the body-internal region X by a cable tie K as described above. The protruding region Y has a cylindrical inner tube 30 that extends between the body-side region A1 and the connection region A2 and forms a flow path on its interior, and a plurality of tube covers 31 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30.

[0030] In this embodiment, the length dimension of the intake line 3 in region Z where the inner tube 30 is provided with these multiple tube covers 31 is 150 mm or more. The "region Z where the inner tube 30 is provided with multiple tube covers 31" refers to the region where the inner tube 30 is covered by the multiple tube covers 31, and includes the region where the inner tube 30 is covered by the tube cover 31 provided on one end of the intake line 3 and the tube cover 31 provided on the other end, as well as the extended region of the inner tube 30 from the tube cover 31 provided on one end to the tube cover 31 provided on the other end.

[0031] (Inner tube) The inner tube 30 is formed from a flexible material such as rubber. The inner tube 30 can bend and expand / contract in the longitudinal direction by elastic deformation. As shown in Figure 5, the inner tube 30 has a plurality of small-diameter sections 35 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and large-diameter sections 36 arranged between adjacent small-diameter sections 35 in the longitudinal direction, with larger inner and outer diameters than the small-diameter sections 35. In other words, the inner tube 30 has a bellows shape.

[0032] Furthermore, the maximum outer diameter of the inner tube 30 in the main body region A1 is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the inner tube 30 in the connection region A2. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 36X in the main body region A1 is larger than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 36Y in the connection region A2. Also, the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 36X in the main body region A1 is larger than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 36Y in the connection region A2. The spacing between the large-diameter portions 36X in the main body region A1 is wider than the spacing between the large-diameter portions 36Y in the connection region A2. Note that the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 35X in the main body region A1 is the same as the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 35Y in the connection region A2, and the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 35X in the main body region A1 is the same as the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 35Y in the connection region A2.

[0033] (Tube cover) Returning to Figure 4, the tube cover 31 is formed from a material harder than the inner tube 30 and is an annular shape centered on an axis O along the longitudinal direction of the inner tube 30. The tube cover 31 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the inner tube 30 in the circumferential direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "circumferential direction") of the inner tube 30.

[0034] The tube covers 31 differ between the main body region A1 and the connection region A2. Each of the tube covers 31Y located in the connection region A2 is a single, annular member, such as a metal ring. Each of the tube covers 31X located in the main body region A1 is, for example, an annular member made of resin. Each of the tube covers 31Y located in the connection region A2 is made of a harder material than each of the tube covers 31X located in the main body region A1. Furthermore, each of the tube covers 31X located in the main body region A1 has a larger width dimension in the direction of axis O than each of the tube covers 31Y located in the connection region A2. In addition, each of the tube covers 31X located in the main body region A1 has a larger outer diameter than each of the tube covers 31Y located in the connection region A2.

[0035] In both the main body region A1 and the connection region A2, the maximum outer diameter of the tube cover 31 is preferably 1.2 times or less the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 36 of the inner tube 30, and in this embodiment, it is 1.0 times or less. Furthermore, the width dimension of the tube cover 31 in the direction of axis O is equal to or slightly smaller than the distance between the large-diameter portions 36, i.e., the width dimension in the direction of axis O of the small-diameter portion 35.

[0036] (Cover piece) As shown in Figure 6, each of the tube covers 31X located in the main body region A1 has a plurality of cover pieces 40 that extend along a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30 and are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, each cover piece 40 is provided as a first cover piece 41 and a second cover piece 42, both having a partial arc shape. Each cover piece 41 and 42 is provided with an engaging portion 45 at both ends in the circumferential direction that restricts the relative movement between the circumferentially adjacent first cover piece 41 and second cover piece 42.

[0037] (Engaging part) More specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the engaging portion 45 is provided as a first engaging portion 45X located at one circumferential end of the first cover piece 41, and a second engaging portion 45Y located at the other circumferential end of the first cover piece 41. The first engaging portion 45X has a first receiving projection 50, a first lateral projection 51, and a first rearward projection 57. The second engaging portion 45Y has a second rib recess 62, a second lateral recess 63, and a second engaging projection 68.

[0038] Similarly, the engaging portion 45 includes a third engaging portion 45V provided at one circumferential end of the second cover piece 41, and a fourth engaging portion 45W provided at the other circumferential end of the second cover piece 41. The third engaging portion 45V has a second housing protrusion 60, a second lateral protrusion 61, and a second rearward protrusion 67. The fourth engaging portion 45W has a first rib inner recess 52, a first lateral recess 53, and a first engaging projection 58.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first cover piece 41 and the second cover piece 42 have the same shape, the first engaging portion 45X and the third engaging portion 45V have the same shape, and the second engaging portion 45Y and the fourth engaging portion 45W have the same shape. The first engaging portion 45X at one end of the first cover piece 41 in the circumferential direction and the fourth engaging portion 45W at the other end of the second cover piece 42 in the circumferential direction engage to restrict the relative movement of the cover pieces 41 and 42. The second engaging portion 45Y at the other end of the first cover piece 41 in the circumferential direction and the third engaging portion 45V at one end of the second cover piece 42 in the circumferential direction also engage to restrict the relative movement of the cover pieces 41 and 42.

[0040] More specifically, when the cover pieces 41 and 42 engage with each other, the first housing projection 50 is housed in the first rib recess 52, the first lateral projection 51 is housed in the first lateral recess 53, and the first rear projection 57 and the first engaging projection 58 engage. Also, the second housing projection 60 is housed in the second rib recess 62, the second lateral projection 61 is housed in the second lateral recess 63, and the second rear projection 67 and the second engaging projection 68 engage. The first housing projection 50 and the second housing projection 60 have the same shape, the first lateral projection 51 and the second lateral projection 61 have the same shape, the first rib recess 52 and the second rib recess 62 have the same shape, the first lateral recess 53 and the second lateral recess 63 have the same shape, the first rear projection 57 and the second rear projection 67 have the same shape, and the first engaging projection 58 and the second engaging projection 68 have the same shape. As a result, the first cover piece 41 and the second cover piece 42 have completely identical shapes.

[0041] (First containment protrusion) As shown in Figure 8, the first receiving projection 50 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 41a of the first cover piece 41 over the entire area in the direction of axis O. The first receiving projection 50 has an outer surface provided with a first circumferential end face 71 facing the side of the second cover piece 42, which is one side in the circumferential direction, and a second circumferential end face 72 that is adjacent to the first circumferential end face 71 in the direction of axis O and also faces one side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the first circumferential end face 71 and the second circumferential end face 72 form a single smoothly continuous plane.

[0042] (First horizontal convex part) Furthermore, the first lateral protrusions 51 project outwards from the first circumferential end face 71 and the second circumferential end face 72 in a portion of these areas, on one side in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the first lateral protrusions 51 are provided in pairs at intervals in the direction of axis O, with one first lateral protrusion 51 projecting from the first circumferential end face 71 and the other first lateral protrusion 51 projecting from the second circumferential end face 72. Each first lateral protrusion 51 is positioned at the end of the first housing protrusion 50 in the direction of axis O, at the outer end in the radial direction (direction perpendicular to axis O) of the first circumferential end face 71 and the second circumferential end face 72, and is radially outside the outer peripheral surface 41a of the first cover piece 41, forming a rectangular parallelepiped claw shape with a larger dimension in the direction of axis O compared to the circumferential direction.

[0043] Of the outer surfaces constituting one of the first lateral protrusions 51, the surface facing one side in the direction of axis O is the first axial movement restricting surface 73, and of the outer surfaces constituting the other first lateral protrusion 51, the surface facing the other side in the direction of axis O is the second axial movement restricting surface 74. The first axial movement restricting surface 73 extends from the first circumferential end surface 71 to one side in the circumferential direction, and the second axial movement restricting surface 74 is positioned at a distance from the first axial movement restricting surface 73 in the direction of axis O and extends from the second circumferential end surface 72 to one side in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the first housing protrusion 50 and the first lateral protrusion 51 are viewed from the radial outside, the end on one side in the circumferential direction of the first cover piece 41 is formed by the pair of first lateral protrusions 51 in a concave (stepped) shape that is recessed in the circumferential direction in the central region in the direction of axis O.

[0044] Furthermore, the outer surface of each first lateral protrusion 51 facing radially inward serves as the first radial movement restricting surface 75. The outer surface of each first lateral protrusion 51 facing radially outward smoothly connects to the radially outward-facing surface of the first housing protrusion 50 to form a single plane, which serves as the second radial movement restricting surface 76.

[0045] Furthermore, the outer surface of each first lateral protrusion 51 facing one side in the circumferential direction serves as the first circumferential movement restricting surface 77. Here, the surface of the first housing protrusion 50 facing the other side in the circumferential direction, that is, the outer surface of the first housing protrusion 50 located on the opposite side in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential movement restricting surface 77, serves as the second circumferential movement restricting surface 78.

[0046] (First rearward protrusion) The first rear projection 57 is provided on the first housing projection 50 at the radial outer end of the second circumferential movement restricting surface 78, so as to project to the other side in the circumferential direction over the entire area in the direction of axis O. The first rear projection 57 has an inner surface 79 facing radially inward and an outer surface 80 facing radially outward on its outer surface. The outer surface 80 is an inclined surface that slopes radially inward as it approaches the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0047] (Inner recess of the first rib) As shown in Figure 9, the first rib recess 52 extends radially from the inner circumferential surface 42b of the second cover piece 42 to radially outside the outer circumferential surface 42a of the second cover piece 42 over the entire area in the direction of axis O, and accommodates the first housing protrusion 50 (see Figure 8) on the inside. At a position corresponding to the first rib recess 52, a first rib-shaped protrusion 55 is provided that protrudes radially outward over the entire area in the direction of axis O from the outer circumferential surface 42a of the second cover piece 42. In other words, the first rib recess 52 is located radially inside the first rib-shaped protrusion 55.

[0048] The inner recess 52 of the first rib is provided with a first circumferentially opposed end face 81 facing the side of the first cover piece 41 which is the other side in the circumferential direction, and a second circumferentially opposed end face 82 which is adjacent to the first circumferentially opposed end face 81 in the direction of axis O and also faces the other side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the first circumferentially opposed end face 81 and the second circumferentially opposed end face 82 form a single smoothly continuous plane. The first circumferentially opposed end face 81 faces the first circumferentially opposed end face 71 of the first cover piece 41 in the circumferential direction, and the second circumferentially opposed end face 82 faces the second circumferentially opposed end face 72 of the first cover piece 41 in the circumferential direction, thereby restricting relative movement in the circumferential direction between the first cover piece 41 and the second cover piece 42.

[0049] (First transverse recess) The first lateral recess 53 is recessed in one circumferential direction from the opposing end faces 81 and 82 in a portion of the first circumferential opposing end face 81 and the second circumferential opposing end face 82. A pair of first lateral recesses 53 are provided spaced apart in the direction of axis O, with one first lateral recess 53 recessed from the first circumferential opposing end face 81 and the other first lateral recess 53 recessed from the second circumferential opposing end face 82. Each first lateral recess 53 is positioned at the end of the first rib inner recess 52 in the direction of axis O, at the radially outer end of the first circumferential opposing end face 81 and the second circumferential opposing end face 82, and radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 42a of the second cover piece 42, corresponding to the first lateral protrusion 51 (see Figure 8).

[0050] Of the inner surfaces constituting one of the first lateral recesses 53, the surface facing the other side in the direction of axis O is the first axial facing surface 83, and of the inner surfaces constituting the other first lateral recess 53, the surface facing the other side in the direction of axis O is the second axial facing surface 84. The first axial facing surface 83 extends to one side in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential facing end surface 81, and the second axial facing surface 84 is positioned at a distance from the first axial facing surface 83 in the direction of axis O and extends to one side in the circumferential direction from the second circumferential facing end surface 82. The first axial facing surface 83 faces the first axial movement restricting surface 73 of the first cover piece 41 in the direction of axis O, and the second axial facing surface 84 faces the second axial movement restricting surface 74 of the first cover piece 41 in the direction of axis O, thereby restricting relative movement in the direction of axis O between the first cover piece 41 and the second cover piece 42.

[0051] Furthermore, the inner surface of each first transverse recess 53 facing radially outward is the first radially opposing surface 85. The inner surface of each first transverse recess 53 facing radially inward smoothly continues to form a single plane with the radially inward-facing surface of the first rib inner recess 52, forming the second radially opposing surface 86. The first radially opposing surface 85 is radially opposed to the first radial movement restricting surface 75 of the first cover piece 41, and the second radially opposing surface 86 is radially opposed to the second radial movement restricting surface 76 of the first cover piece 41.

[0052] Furthermore, the inner surface of each first transverse recess 53 facing the other side in the circumferential direction is the first circumferential opposing surface 87. Here, the inner surface of the first rib inner recess 52 that faces one side in the circumferential direction, i.e., the surface of the first rib inner recess 52 that is positioned on the opposite side in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential opposing surface 87, with the first receiving protrusion 50 (see Figure 8) in between, is the second circumferential opposing surface 88. The second circumferential opposing surface 88 is positioned at a distance in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential opposing end surface 81, and when the first rib inner recess 52 is viewed from the direction of axis O, the second circumferential opposing surface 88 and the second radial opposing surface 86 are connected in an L shape.

[0053] The first circumferential facing surface 87 faces the first circumferential movement restricting surface 77 of the first cover piece 41 in the circumferential direction, and the second circumferential facing surface 88 faces the second circumferential movement restricting surface 78 of the first cover piece 41 in the circumferential direction, thereby restricting the relative movement of the cover pieces 41 and 42 in the circumferential direction.

[0054] (First engaging protrusion) The first engaging projection 58 is provided at the radially inner end of the second circumferential facing surface 88, projecting to one side in the circumferential direction over the entire area in the direction of axis O. The first engaging projection 58 has an outer surface 89 facing radially outward and an inner surface 90 facing radially inward on its outer surface. The inner surface 90 is an inclined surface that slopes radially outward as it approaches one side in the circumferential direction. The first engaging projection 58 engages with the rear projection 57 (see Figure 8) provided on the first housing projection 50 from the radially inner side, and the radial relative movement of the cover pieces 41 and 42 is restricted as the outer surface 89 of the first engaging projection 58 and the inner surface 79 of the first rear projection 58 face each other radially.

[0055] (Second containment protrusion) The second housing projection 60 is located at the other circumferential end of the second cover piece 42 and protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 42a of the second cover piece 42 over the entire area in the direction of axis O. The second housing projection 60 has the same dimensions and shape as the first housing projection 50 (see Figure 8), and the second housing projection 60 is provided with a first circumferential end face 71, a second circumferential end face 72, a second radial movement restricting surface 76, and a second circumferential movement restricting surface 78. In the tube cover 31, the second housing projection 60 is positioned 180 degrees circumferentially relative to the first housing projection 50.

[0056] (Second horizontal protrusion) The second lateral protrusion 61 is located at the other circumferential end of the second cover piece 42, projecting to one side in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential end face 71 and the second circumferential end face 72. The second lateral protrusion 61 has the same dimensions and shape as the first lateral protrusion 51 (see Figure 8), and is provided with a first axial movement restricting surface 73, a second axial movement restricting surface 74, a first radial movement restricting surface 75, a second radial movement restricting surface 76, and a first circumferential movement restricting surface 77. In the tube cover 31, the second lateral protrusion 61 is positioned 180 degrees circumferentially relative to the first lateral protrusion 51.

[0057] (Second rear convex part) The second rear projection 67 is provided on the second housing projection 60 at the other circumferential end of the second cover piece 42 and at the radially outer end of the second circumferential movement restricting surface 78, so as to project to the other side in the circumferential direction over the entire area in the direction of axis O. The second rear projection 67 has the same dimensions and shape as the first rear projection 57 (see Figure 8), and the second rear projection 67 is provided with an inner surface 79 and an outer surface 80.

[0058] (Second rib recess) Returning to Figure 8, the second rib recess 62 is located at the other circumferential end of the first cover piece 41, recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface 41b of the first cover piece 41, and accommodates the second housing protrusion 60 (see Figure 9) on the inside. The second rib recess 62 has the same dimensions and shape as the first rib recess 52 (see Figure 9). Also, at a position corresponding to the second rib recess 62, a second rib-shaped protrusion 65 is provided from the outer circumferential surface 41a of the first cover piece 41, having the same dimensions and shape as the first rib-shaped protrusion 55 (see Figure 9). Thus, the second rib recess 62 is provided with a first circumferential opposing end surface 81, a second circumferential opposing end surface 82, a second radial opposing surface 86, and a second circumferential opposing surface 88. In the tube cover 31, the second rib recess 62 is positioned 180 degrees circumferentially relative to the first rib recess 52, and the second rib-shaped protrusion 65 is positioned 180 degrees circumferentially relative to the first rib-shaped protrusion 55.

[0059] (Second transverse recess) The second lateral recess 63 is located at the other circumferential end of the first cover piece 41, recessed to one side in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential opposing end face 81 and the second circumferential opposing end face 82. The second lateral recess 63 has the same dimensions and shape as the first lateral recess 53 (see Figure 9), and the second lateral recess 63 is provided with a first axial opposing surface 83, a second axial opposing surface 84, a first radial opposing surface 85, a second radial opposing surface 86, and a first circumferential opposing surface 87. In the tube cover 31, the second lateral recess 63 is positioned 180 degrees circumferentially relative to the first lateral recess 53.

[0060] (Second engagement protrusion) The second engaging projection 68 is provided at the other circumferential end of the first cover piece 41 and at the radially inner end of the second circumferential opposing surface 88, so as to protrude to one side in the circumferential direction over the entire area in the direction of axis O. The second engaging projection 68 has the same dimensions and shape as the first engaging projection 58 (see Figure 9), and the second engaging projection 68 is provided with an outer surface 89 and an inner surface 90.

[0061] (Pressure detection line) Returning to Figure 4, the pressure sensing line 4 is provided alongside the intake line 3 and connects the pressure regulator 22 to the connection part 13 of the facepiece 1. Similar to the intake line 3, a portion of the pressure sensing line 4 is located within the backpack 21 and extends vertically from the other end of the backpack 21 in the width direction (see Figure 3). The pressure sensing line 4 transmits pressure fluctuations within the facepiece 1 to the pressure regulator 22.

[0062] Based on the pressure fluctuations transmitted to the pressure regulator 22 by the pressure sensing line 4, the pressure regulator 22 operates as described above to keep the pressure inside the facepiece 1 constantly higher (positive pressure) than the pressure outside the facepiece 1. In this embodiment, the pressure sensing line 4 has the same structure as the intake line 3, but it is not limited to the structure of this embodiment and can be formed from a material with lower pressure resistance than the intake line 3. For example, a flexible tube without a tube cover 31 may be used for the pressure sensing line 4.

[0063] (Fixing member) Returning to Figure 2(a), the respiratory apparatus 100 further includes a fixing member 5 for securing the inspiratory line 3 and the pressure sensing line 4. The fixing member 5 is positioned between the pressure regulator 22 and the connection part 13, corresponding to the protruding region Y of the inspiratory line 3, and secures the inspiratory line 3 and the pressure sensing line 4. In this embodiment, the fixing member 5 is a fire-resistant cover that covers both the inspiratory line 3 and the pressure sensing line 4 from the outside, and is made of a fire-resistant material such as fiber.

[0064] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, in the respiratory apparatus 100 of this embodiment, in the inspiratory line 3 for supplying inhaled gas G to the user U, multiple tube covers 31 are provided on the outer surface of the inner tube 30 at intervals from each other. This ensures that the pressure resistance of the inspiratory line 3 is maintained by the tube covers 31, and that the inspiratory line 3 is resistant to blockage. At positions on the inner tube 30 where tube covers 31 are not provided (positions between the tube covers 31), the inner tube 30 becomes more flexible, and sufficient deformation (expansion and contraction, curvature) can be ensured. Therefore, even if the user U makes large facial movements while wearing the respiratory apparatus 100, the inspiratory line 3 can follow the movements of the face and facepiece 1, and the face and facepiece 1 will not be pulled or pushed by the inspiratory line 3. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inspiratory line 3 interfering with the user U's activities, and the usability of the respiratory apparatus 100 can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the pressure regulator 22 is located behind the user U, the distance from the pressure regulator 22 to the facepiece 1 is greater compared to the case where the pressure regulator 22 is located in front of the user U, and the length dimension of the intake line 3 is larger. In particular, in this embodiment, the length dimension of the intake line in region Z is 150 [mm] or more, and a certain amount of pressure loss may occur in the intake line 3. For this reason, the intake gas G must be circulated through the intake line 3 at a relatively high medium pressure (0 [kPa] to 3 [kPa] in this embodiment). In this respect, by using the intake line 3 of this embodiment, the pressure resistance of the intake line 3 can be ensured, so that the intake gas G can be circulated through the intake line 3 even at relatively high pressures, and it becomes possible to stably supply the intake gas G to the user U.

[0066] Furthermore, the inner tube 30 is provided with a large-diameter section 36 and a small-diameter section 35 on which the tube cover 31 is located, giving the inner tube 30 a bellows shape. This not only allows for a large amount of deformation of the inner tube 30, but also allows the tube cover 31 to be supported on the outer surface of the inner tube 30 by sandwiching it between the large-diameter section 36 and the small-diameter section 35. Thus, it is possible to prevent the tube cover 31 from falling off the inner tube 30.

[0067] Furthermore, since the maximum outer diameter of the tube cover 31 (outer diameter of the rib-shaped protrusions 55 and 65) is 1.2 times or less the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 36 of the inner tube 30, the amount of protrusion of the tube cover 31 from the large-diameter portion 36 of the inner tube 30 can be suppressed. In particular, as in this embodiment, since the maximum outer diameter of the tube cover 31 is 1.0 times or less the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 36 of the inner tube 30, the tube cover 31 does not protrude from the large-diameter portion 36, and the outer diameter of the intake line 3 can be kept within the maximum outer diameter of the inner tube 30. As a result, the diameter of the intake line 3 can be reduced, and consequently, the size of the connection portion 13 can also be reduced, so that the connection portion 13 does not interfere with the user's activities.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, when the flow rate of the inhaled gas G changes rapidly, the inhaled line 3 may behave erratically. However, by fixing the inhaled line 3 to the pressure sensing line 4, which does not carry the inhaled gas and therefore does not err, using the fixing member 5, the movement of the inhaled line 3 can be restricted by the pressure sensing line 4, preventing the inhaled line 3 from interfering with the user U's activities. In particular, by making the fixing member 5 a fire-resistant cover, the movement of the inhaled line 3 can be restricted while protecting the inhaled line 3 and the pressure sensing line 4 from fire and heat, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the respiratory apparatus 100.

[0069] Furthermore, the maximum outer diameter of the connection area A2 in the intake line 3 is smaller than that of the main body side area A1. In other words, the connection area A2 in the intake line 3 that connects to the connection part 13 of the facepiece 1 has a smaller diameter. As a result, the connection port 13a of the connection part 13 can be made smaller, the connection part 13 can be made smaller, and the amount of protrusion of the connection part 13 from the facepiece 1 can be reduced. Thus, the connection part 13 can be made so as not to interfere with the activities of the user U.

[0070] Furthermore, the tube cover 31Y located in connection area A2 is made of a harder material than the tube cover 31X located in main body area A1, and is a single, annular component. Therefore, its strength can be increased compared to the tube cover 31X located in main body area A1, further suppressing deformation and damage to the tube cover 31 due to external forces.

[0071] Furthermore, each of the tube covers 31X located in the main body region A1 is composed of multiple cover pieces 40 arranged in the circumferential direction, and adjacent cover pieces 40 in the circumferential direction are engaged and fixed together by engaging portions 45, thereby restricting relative movement between the cover pieces 40.

[0072] Specifically, the first cover piece 41 and the second cover piece 42 are arranged circumferentially on the outer surface of the inner tube 30. For example, at a position between the first rib-shaped protrusion 55 and the second rib-shaped protrusion 65, the outer surface 41a of the first cover piece 41 and the outer surface 42a of the second cover piece 42 are pinched with fingers and pressed radially inward as indicated by the arrows in Figure 7. This pushes the first housing protrusion 50 into the first rib inner recess 52 and the second housing protrusion 60 into the second rib inner recess 62, thereby bringing the second circumferential movement restricting surface 78 and the second circumferential opposing surface 88 into opposition, the first circumferential end surface 71 and the first circumferential opposing end surface 81 into opposition, the second circumferential end surface 72 and the second circumferential opposing end surface 82 into opposition, and the second radial movement restricting surface 76 and the second radial opposing surface 86 into opposition.

[0073] Furthermore, in this case, the outer surface 80 of the first rear projection 57 is guided along the inner surface 90 of the first engaging projection 58, so that the first rear projection 57 is positioned radially outward relative to the first engaging projection 58, and the first rear projection 57 and the first engaging projection 58 engage, restricting radial movement between the first cover piece 41 and the second cover piece 42. The same applies to the second rear projection 67 and the second engaging projection 68.

[0074] Furthermore, by pushing the first receiving protrusion 50 into the first rib recess 52 and the second receiving protrusion 60 into the second rib recess 62, the first lateral protrusion 51 is automatically pushed into the first lateral recess 53 and the second lateral protrusion 61 is pushed into the second lateral recess 63. As a result, the first circumferential movement restricting surface 77 and the first circumferential opposing surface 87 can be made to face each other, the first radial movement restricting surface 75 and the first radial opposing surface 85 can be made to face each other, the first axial movement restricting surface 73 and the first axial opposing surface 83 can be made to face each other, and the second axial movement restricting surface 74 and the second axial opposing surface 84 can be made to face each other.

[0075] In this way, the cover pieces 41 and 42 can be engaged with each other with a single touch, and the tube cover 31X can be easily installed on the outer surface of the inner tube 30. Therefore, when manufacturing the intake line 3, the tube cover 31X can be engaged with each other one after another from the outer side on the outer surface of the inner tube 30 with a single touch. Compared to the case where a cylindrical tube cover is provided to cover almost the entire area of ​​the inner tube 30, the manufacturing of the intake line 3 can be made easier even if the intake line 3 is long.

[0076] Furthermore, because the first rib-shaped protrusion 55 and the second rib-shaped protrusion 65 are provided, when the cover pieces 41 and 42 are engaged to complete the tube cover 31X, a pair of ribs are formed on each tube cover 31X at positions offset by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction, thereby improving the strength of the tube cover 31X.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, all tube covers 31 provided in the intake line 3 may be a single, annular member, such as the tube cover 31Y in the connection area A2, or they may be composed of multiple cover pieces 40, such as the tube cover 31X in the main body side area A1.

[0078] Furthermore, the number of cover pieces 40 constituting each tube cover 31X is not particularly limited, and each tube cover 31X may have three or more cover pieces 40.

[0079] Furthermore, the engaging portion 45 is not limited to the structure described above, and each cover piece 40 is provided with a surface that restricts relative movement in the direction of axis O, the circumferential direction, and the radial direction between adjacent cover pieces 40 in the circumferential direction. For example, the engaging portion 45 may be provided only at one end of the first cover piece 41 and the other end of the second cover piece 42, and the other end of the first cover piece 41 and the one end of the second cover piece 42 may not have an engaging portion 45. [Industrial applicability]

[0080] According to the respiratory device of the present invention, it is possible to improve usability while ensuring the pressure resistance and blockage resistance of the inspiratory line. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] Unihedron 2 Respiratory body 3. Intake line 4. Pressure detection line 5 Fixing members Decahedron body 11 string 12 Separation 13 Connection part 13a Connection port 20 Shoulder straps 22 Pressure Regulator 30 Inner Tube 31 (31X, 31Y) Tube Cover 35(35X, 35Y) Small diameter part 36 (36X, 36Y) Large diameter section 40 cover pieces 41 First cover piece 42 Second cover piece 45(45X, 45Y, 45V, 45W) Engagement part 50 First containment protrusion 51 First horizontal convex part 52 Recess in the first rib 53 First transverse recess 55 First rib-shaped protrusion 57 First rearward protrusion 58 First engaging protrusion 60 Second containment protrusion 61 Second horizontal convex part 62 Second rib inner recess 63 Second transverse recess 65 Second rib-shaped protrusion 67 Second rear convex part 68 Second engagement protrusion 71 First circumferential end face 72 Second circumferential end face 73 First axial movement restriction surface 74 Second axial movement restriction surface 75 First radial movement restricting surface 76 Second radial movement restriction surface 77 First circumferential movement restriction surface 78 Second circumferential movement restriction surface 80 External surface 81 First circumferentially opposing end surface 82 Second circumferentially opposing end surface 83 First axial opposing surface 84 Second axial opposing surface 85 First radially opposing surface 86 Second radially opposing surface 87 Opposing surfaces in the first circumferential direction 88 Opposing surface in the second circumferential direction 90 Inner surface 100 Respiratory 300 hose A1 Main unit side area A2 connection area B Gas cylinder G Intake gas O axis S breathing room U user

Claims

1. It consists of a cylinder containing the inhaled gas supplied to the user, and a respiratory device body that is worn on the user's body, A facepiece that is worn to cover the user's face, An inhalation line is provided between the respiratory body and the facepiece, enabling the supply of the inhaled gas to the inside of the facepiece. Equipped with, The aforementioned intake line is, An inner tube formed from a flexible material, Multiple tube covers are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube, and each is formed in an annular shape around its axis using a material harder than the inner tube, It has, The aforementioned inner tube is Multiple small diameter portions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction, A large-diameter portion is positioned between adjacent small-diameter portions in the longitudinal direction, and its inner and outer diameters are larger than those of the small-diameter portions. It has, The tube covers are respiratory devices, each positioned on the small diameter portion.

2. The respiratory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length dimension of the inhalation line in the region where a plurality of tube covers are provided on the inner tube is 150 mm or more.

3. The respiratory apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gauge pressure of the inhaled gas flowing through the inhalation line is 3 kPa or less.

4. The respiratory apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the tube cover is 1.2 times or less the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion.

5. The respiratory apparatus body has a pressure regulator that is connected to the inhalation line and adjusts the pressure of the inhaled gas supplied from the cylinder into the facepiece, The facepiece has a connection portion to which the intake line is connected, A pressure sensing line is provided between the pressure regulator and the connection part to transmit pressure fluctuations inside the face mask to the pressure regulator and to operate the pressure regulator so as to maintain the pressure inside the face mask at a higher pressure than the pressure outside the face mask. A fixing member is provided to fix the intake line and the pressure sensing line at a position between the pressure regulator and the connection part, The respiratory apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

6. The respirator according to claim 5, wherein the fixing member is a fire-resistant cover that covers both the intake line and the pressure sensing line from the outside.

7. The respiratory apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressure regulator is located on the back of the user.

8. A respiratory device comprising a cylinder containing inhaled gas supplied to the user, and a respiratory device body worn on the user's body, A facepiece that is worn to cover the user's face, An inhalation line is provided between the respiratory body and the facepiece, enabling the supply of the inhaled gas to the inside of the facepiece. Equipped with, The aforementioned intake line is, An inner tube formed from a flexible material, Multiple tube covers are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube, and each is formed in an annular shape around its axis using a material harder than the inner tube, It has, The facepiece has a connection portion to which the intake line is connected, The aforementioned intake line is, The connection area connected to the aforementioned connection part, A body-side region is located closer to the respiratory body than the connection region, and has a larger maximum outer diameter than the connection region. A respiratory apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, having the following features.

9. The respiratory apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tube cover disposed in the connection region is formed of a harder material than the tube cover disposed in the main body region.

10. A respiratory device comprising a cylinder containing inhaled gas supplied to the user, and a respiratory device body worn on the user's body, A facepiece that is worn to cover the user's face, An inhalation line is provided between the respiratory body and the facepiece, enabling the supply of the inhaled gas to the inside of the facepiece. Equipped with, The aforementioned intake line is, An inner tube formed from a flexible material, Multiple tube covers are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube, and each is formed in an annular shape around its axis using a material harder than the inner tube, It has, Each of the plurality of tube covers has a plurality of cover pieces that each extend along a portion of the outer surface of the inner tube and are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the inner tube. A respiratory device in which at least one end of each of the plurality of cover pieces in the circumferential direction is provided with an engaging portion that restricts the relative movement of adjacent cover pieces in the circumferential direction.

11. Each of the plurality of tube covers arranged in the main body region each extends along a portion of the outer surface of the inner tube and has a plurality of cover pieces arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the inner tube. Each of the plurality of cover pieces is provided with an engaging portion at at least one end in the circumferential direction that restricts the relative movement of adjacent cover pieces in the circumferential direction. The respiratory apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of tube covers arranged in the connection region is an integral member forming an annular shape.

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