Humidification apparatus and humidification and blowing apparatus for respiratory organs including the same

Abstract

A humidification apparatus (200A) includes a bag-shaped flexible reservoir (241) where water is stored, a vaporizer that vaporizes supplied water, a water supply path (230) connected to the flexible reservoir (241) and the vaporizer, an accommodation portion where the flexible reservoir (241) is accommodated, a pressurization source that compresses the flexible reservoir (241) by pressurizing a space outside the flexible reservoir (241) and inside the accommodation portion, and a controller (130) that controls an operation of the pressurization source. Water stored in the flexible reservoir (241) is supplied to the vaporizer through the water supply path (230) by compressive force with which the flexible reservoir (241) is compressed.

Description

Humidifying device and respiratory humidifying and blowing device equipped with the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifying device that humidifies a gas to be humidified by vaporizing water, and also to a respiratory humidifying and blowing device equipped with the humidifying device.

[0002] Conventionally, various humidifying mechanisms have been devised, and an optimal one is selected from among them and used according to the application of the product to which it is applied. One of the product groups to which the humidifying mechanism is applied is a respiratory humidifying and blowing device. This respiratory humidifying and blowing device includes a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device, a steam inhaler, an oxygen inhaler, and the like.

[0003] Among these, the CPAP device is used for the treatment of sleep apnea syndrome and sends air into the airway of the user during sleep. More specifically, the CPAP device is provided with a blower inside the device and is configured to continuously send air through an air tube to a mask worn on the nose or mouth of the user. In some cases, a humidifying device is incorporated into this CPAP device, and in the CPAP device incorporating the humidifying device, the air sent to the user is humidified.

[0004] As a CPAP device incorporating the humidifying device, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-166495 (Patent Document 1). In the CPAP device disclosed in this publication, a heater is installed at the lower part of a tank in which water is stored, and when the heater is driven, the water stored in the tank is heated. Then, by configuring the air passage so that the airflow generated by the blower passes through the upper part of the tank, the water vapor generated by the heating by the above-described heater is included in the airflow, and thus the humidified air is sent into the airway of the user.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-166495

[0006] However, in humidifiers incorporated into respiratory humidifiers such as the CPAP device mentioned above, it is not necessary to generate a large amount of water vapor at once, but rather to continuously generate a small amount of water vapor. Therefore, humidifiers like those disclosed in the above publication are not necessarily effective from the standpoint of energy efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, while there are various other configurations of humidifiers incorporated into respiratory humidifiers, they are all complex in design or use expensive components, making them less effective from the perspective of miniaturization and manufacturing cost. Moreover, most of these humidifiers are poorly maintained, requiring cleaning of the internal components to keep them clean.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a humidifier that can humidify in a small size and efficiently, and a respiratory humidifier / air blower equipped with the same.

[0009] A humidifier according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a flexible reservoir, a vaporization section, a water supply passage, a housing section, a pressure source, and a control unit. The flexible reservoir is a bag-shaped structure for storing water, and the vaporization section vaporizes the supplied water. One end of the water supply passage is detachably connected to the flexible reservoir, and the other end is connected to the vaporization section. The housing section houses the flexible reservoir. The pressure source compresses the flexible reservoir by pressurizing the space outside the flexible reservoir and the space inside the housing section, and the control unit controls the operation of the pressure source. In the humidifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the water stored in the flexible reservoir is supplied to the vaporization section via the water supply passage by the compressive force that compresses the flexible reservoir.

[0010] In the humidifier according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, it is preferable that the pressurizing source is configured as an outside air introduction source that introduces outside air into the space outside the flexible reservoir and the space inside the housing.

[0011] In the humidifier based on the first aspect of the present invention described above, it is preferable that the outside air introduction source is configured as a piezoelectric pump.

[0012] In the humidifier based on the first aspect of the present invention described above, the housing section may be configured with a pressure partition.

[0013] In the humidifier according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the housing portion may be made of a bag-shaped member, in which case it is preferable that the flexible reservoir and the bag-shaped member are joined and integrated so that the flexible reservoir and the bag-shaped member have a double-bag structure.

[0014] A humidifier according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an elastic reservoir, a vaporization section, a water supply passage, a valve, a valve drive unit, and a control unit. The elastic reservoir is a bag-shaped structure for storing water, and the vaporization section vaporizes the supplied water. One end of the water supply passage is detachably connected to the elastic reservoir, and the other end is connected to the vaporization section. The valve is provided in the water supply passage and, in the open state, allows the flow of water through the water supply passage, and in the closed state, blocks the flow of water through the water supply passage. The valve drive unit switches the valve between the open state and the closed state, and the control unit controls the operation of the valve drive unit. In the humidifier according to the second aspect of the present invention described above, the elastic reservoir is elastically expanded and deformed when water is injected into it, and the water stored in the elastic reservoir is supplied to the vaporization section via the water supply passage in the open state by the elastic restoring force of the elastic reservoir.

[0015] In the humidifier according to the first and second aspects of the present invention described above, it is preferable that a check valve is provided at the other end that allows the movement of fluid from the water supply passage toward the vaporization section and restricts the movement of fluid from the vaporization section toward the water supply passage.

[0016] In the humidifier based on the first and second aspects of the present invention described above, it is preferable that the flow path forming surface and / or end surface of the other end are treated with a water-repellent coating.

[0017] In the humidifier according to the first and second aspects of the present invention described above, it is preferable that a throttling section is provided in the water supply passage.

[0018] In the humidifier according to the first and second aspects of the present invention described above, it is preferable that the vaporization section is composed of a heater that heats the supplied water.

[0019] The humidifier according to the first and second aspects of the present invention described above preferably further comprises a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the heater and a power consumption detection unit for detecting the power consumption of the heater. In this case, it is preferable that the output of the heater is controlled by the control unit so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at a constant temperature based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to adjust the amount of humidification by controlling the amount of water supplied to the vaporization unit based on the power consumption detected by the power consumption detection unit.

[0020] A respiratory humidifier and blower according to the present invention comprises a blower for supplying gas to the user's airway and a humidifier according to either the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the airflow generated by the operation of the blower is humidified by the humidifier.

[0021] The respiratory humidifier and air blower according to the present invention described above may further include a respiratory state detection unit for detecting the user's respiratory state. In that case, it is preferable that the control unit determines whether the user is in an inhaling or exhaling state based on the detection result of the respiratory state detection unit, and in that case, it is preferable that the humidification operation by the humidifier is performed when the control unit determines that the user is in an inhaling state, and that the humidification operation by the humidifier is stopped when the control unit determines that the user is in an exhaling state.

[0022] The humidifier according to the first aspect of the present invention described above may further include a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure in the space outside the flexible reservoir and inside the housing. In that case, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to adjust the amount of humidification by controlling the amount of water supplied to the vaporization unit based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit.

[0023] According to the present invention, a humidifier that can humidify efficiently and in a compact size, and a humidifying air blower for the respiratory system equipped with the same, can be provided.

[0024] This is a perspective view showing the attachment and detachment of the blower unit and humidifier unit of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view of the attachment and detachment shown in Figure 1 from a different angle. This is a perspective view showing the blower unit attached to the humidifier unit in the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1. This is a schematic diagram showing the first and second usage states of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the functional block in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1 in the first usage state. This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII shown in Figure 6. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1. This is a timing chart for explaining the humidification operation of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 1. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 2 in the first usage state. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the drain port of the water supply path shown in Figure 10. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 3 in the first usage state. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the functional block in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 4. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 4 in its first usage state. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 4. This is a timing chart for explaining the humidification operation of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 4. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 5 in its first usage state. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the functional block in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 5.

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures. The embodiments shown below illustrate the application of the present invention to a respiratory humidifying air blower and a CPAP device as a humidifier incorporated therein, and a humidifier incorporated therein. In the embodiments shown below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0026] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing how to attach and detach the air blower unit and humidifier unit of a CPAP device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the attachment and detachment method shown in Figure 1 from a different angle. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the air blower unit is attached to the humidifier unit in the CPAP device according to this embodiment. First, the general configuration of the CPAP device 1A according to this embodiment and how to attach and detach it will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the CPAP device 1A includes a blower unit 100 as a blower and a humidifier unit 200A as a humidifier. The blower unit 100 mainly consists of a blower 140 (see Figures 5 to 7), while the humidifier unit 200A mainly consists of a pressurized chamber 216 and a vaporization chamber 217 (see Figures 6 and 7) that constitute a humidification mechanism.

[0028] The humidification unit 200A is configured to be detachably attached to the blower unit 100. In this embodiment, the CPAP device 1A is configured to be usable in two states: when the humidification unit 200A is attached to the blower unit 100, and when the humidification unit 200A is not attached to the blower unit 100.

[0029] This is to enable high convenience not only when at home but also when staying away from home, by dividing the CPAP device 1A into multiple units and configuring these multiple units to be detachable from one another. Specifically, when at home, the CPAP device 1A can be used in the first usage state described above by attaching the humidification unit 200A to the blower unit 100, and when staying away from home, the CPAP device 1A can be used in the second usage state described above without attaching the humidification unit 200A to the blower unit 100.

[0030] In this embodiment, the CPAP device 1A is configured such that the humidifying unit 200A is attached to the blowing unit 100 by placing the blowing unit 100 on top of the humidifying unit 200A.

[0031] The blower unit 100 has a flattened, roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its outer shell is composed of a first housing 110. The first housing 110 has an upper surface and a lower surface that are aligned vertically when in use, and four sides that connect these upper and lower surfaces.

[0032] The upper surface of the first housing 110 constitutes an operating surface 111 on which the operating section 131 is provided. The lower surface of the first housing 110 constitutes a mounting surface 112 which is placed on the humidification unit 200A in the first usage state described later, and is placed on a floor, table, etc. in the second usage state described later. In addition, one of the four sides of the first housing 110 constitutes a first connection surface 113 which is connected to the humidification unit 200A in the first usage state described later.

[0033] The humidifying unit 200A has an elongated, roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its outer shell is composed of a second housing 210. The second housing 210 has an upper surface and a lower surface that are aligned vertically when in use, and four sides connecting these upper and lower surfaces. A projection is provided that protrudes upward from one of the four corners of the upper surface.

[0034] The lower surface of the second housing 210 constitutes a mounting surface that is placed on a floor, table, or the like in the first usage state described later. The portion of the upper surface of the second housing 210 excluding the aforementioned protruding portion constitutes a mounting surface 212 on which the blower unit 100 is placed in the first usage state described later. An opening 212a is provided at a predetermined position on this mounting surface 212. This opening 212a communicates with a pressurizing chamber 216 described later and is for inserting and removing the flexible reservoir 241 (see Figures 5 to 7) described later into and out of the pressurizing chamber 216. A cover 214 is configured to be attached to the opening 212a, and the opening 212a is normally closed by the cover 214.

[0035] Furthermore, one of the sides of the protruding portion described above constitutes a tube connection surface 211 to which the air tube 300 (see Figures 4 and 5) is connected in the first usage state described later, and the other side of the protruding portion described above constitutes a second connection surface 213 to which the blower unit 100 is connected in the first usage state described later.

[0036] The first connection surface 113 of the first housing 110 is provided with a first inlet 121 for introducing air from outside the first housing 110 and a first outlet 122 for discharging air from inside the first housing 110.

[0037] On the other hand, the second connection surface 213 of the second housing 210 is provided with a second inlet 221 for introducing air from outside the second housing 210, and the tube connection surface 211 of the second housing 210 is provided with a second outlet 222 for discharging air from inside the second housing 210. A piezoelectric pump 260, which serves as an outside air introduction source for drawing outside air into a pressurized chamber 216 located inside the second housing 210 (described later), and a solenoid valve 270, which serves as an exhaust valve for discharging air from the pressurized chamber 216 to the outside of the second housing 210, are provided at predetermined positions on the side of the second housing 210. The piezoelectric pump 260, which serves as an outside air introduction source, corresponds to a pressurizing source for pressurizing the pressurized chamber 216.

[0038] As described above, as shown in Figure 3, when the humidifying unit 200A is mounted on the blower unit 100, the mounting surface 112 of the first housing 110 faces the mounting surface 212 of the second housing 210, and the first connecting surface 113 of the first housing 110 faces the second connecting surface 213 of the second housing 210. Therefore, the first outlet 122 provided on the first connecting surface 113 of the first housing 110 is connected to the second inlet 221 provided on the second connecting surface 213 of the second housing 210. Even in this state, the first inlet 121 provided on the first housing 110 is not covered by the second housing 210 and remains open to the outside.

[0039] On the other hand, when the humidification unit 200A is not attached to the blower unit 100, the first connection surface 113 of the first housing 110 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, both the first inlet 121 and the first outlet 122 provided on the first connection surface 113 of the first housing 110 are open to the outside.

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the usage state of the CPAP device according to this embodiment, with Figures 4(A) and 4(B) showing the first and second usage states, respectively. Next, the first and second usage states of the CPAP device 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4(A), in the first operating state, the CPAP device 1A is used with the humidification unit 200A attached to the blower unit 100, as described above. In this case, one end of the air tube 300 is connected to the second outlet 222 provided on the humidification unit 200A, and the mask 400 is connected to the other end of the air tube 300.

[0042] As will be explained in more detail later, in the first operating state, the blower 140 provided in the blower unit 100 is driven, drawing air into the CPAP device 1A from the first inlet 121 provided in the blower unit 100, and the drawn-in air is discharged to the outside of the CPAP device 1A from the second outlet 222 provided in the humidification unit 200A. As a result, the air discharged from the second outlet 222 is sent to the user's airway via the air tube 300 and the mask 400.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4(B), in the second usage state, the CPAP device 1A is used with the humidification unit 200A not attached to the blower unit 100, as described above. In this case, one end of the air tube 300 is connected to the first outlet 122 provided on the blower unit 100, and the mask 400 is connected to the other end of the air tube 300.

[0044] In the second usage state, when the blower 140 provided in the blower unit 100 is driven, air is inhaled into the CPAP device 1A from the first inlet 121 provided in the blower unit 100, and the inhaled air is discharged from the first outlet 122 provided in the blower unit 100 to the outside of the CPAP device 1A. As a result, the air discharged from the first outlet 122 is sent into the user's airway via the air tube 300 and the mask 400.

[0045] Here, the mask 400 is applied and worn so as to cover, for example, the user's nose or mouth. Note that the mask 400 can be selected from various types to have a shape and structure suitable for the user, and the shape and structure shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples.

[0046] The CPAP device 1A is a device that keeps the airway open by continuously sending air into the airway while matching the timing of air delivery to the timing of the user's breathing in order to prevent apnea during sleep. Therefore, in the CPAP device 1A, in both the first usage state and the second usage state described above, based on the flow rate and pressure detected by a flow rate sensor 133 and a pressure sensor 134 (see FIG. 5) described later, various controls such as feedback control and feedforward control are performed by a control unit 130 (see FIG. 5) described later, so that the rotational speed of the blower 140 is increased or decreased to adjust the amount of air delivered and the like, thereby preventing the user from falling into apnea during sleep.

[0047] Here, since the CPAP device 1A according to the present embodiment mainly has a characteristic configuration in the humidifying unit 200A as a humidifying device, in the following, among the first usage state and the second usage state described above, the description will be specialized for the first usage state in which the humidifying unit 200A is used in addition to the blower unit 100, and the description of the second usage state in which only the blower unit 100 is used without using the humidifying unit 200A will be omitted.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of functional blocks in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to the present embodiment. Next, referring to FIG. 5, the configuration of functional blocks in the first usage state of the CPAP device 1A according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the CPAP device 1A includes a control unit 130, an operation unit 131, a temperature and humidity sensor 132, a flow rate sensor 133, a pressure sensor 134, a power consumption sensor 135, a blower 140, a silencer 150, a flexible reservoir 241, a heater 250, a temperature sensor 251, a piezoelectric pump 260, and a solenoid valve 270. Among these, the control unit 130, the operation unit 131, the temperature and humidity sensor 132, the flow rate sensor 133, the pressure sensor 134, the power consumption sensor 135, the blower 140, and the silencer 150 are provided in the blower unit 100. The flexible reservoir 241 is housed in a pressurization chamber 216, which will be described later, provided in the humidification unit 200A. The heater 250, the temperature sensor 251, the piezoelectric pump 260, and the solenoid valve 270 are provided in the humidification unit 200A. Further, a water supply passage 230, which will be described later, is also provided in the humidification unit 200A.

[0050] In the first housing 110 of the blower unit 100, in addition to the above-described first inlet 121 and first outlet 122, a first flow path 120 is provided. The first flow path 120 is configured to connect the first inlet 121 and the first outlet 122.

[0051] The blower 140 is provided in the first flow path 120. The blower 140 is configured by, for example, a centrifugal fan. The blower 140 is installed in a blower chamber 117 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), which will be described later, provided in the first housing 110, and is thus arranged on the first flow path 120.

[0052] Here, the blower 140 has a casing 142, and the casing 142 is provided with an intake port 143 and an exhaust port 144 for the blower 140. Therefore, the first flow path 120 includes an upstream flow path section 120A connecting a first inlet 121 provided in the first housing 110 and an intake port 143 provided in the blower 140, and a downstream flow path section 120B connecting an exhaust port 144 provided in the blower 140 and a first outlet port 122 provided in the first housing 110.

[0053] A silencer 150 is provided in the upstream flow path section 120A, which is located between the first inlet 121 and the intake port 143 of the first flow path 120. The silencer 150 is intended to suppress noise generated by the blower 140 (such as the operating noise of the drive motor and wind noise of the blower 140) from leaking to the outside via the first inlet 121, but the details of this will be described later.

[0054] In addition to the second inlet 221 and second outlet 222 described above, the second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200A is provided with a second flow path 220. The second flow path 220 is configured to connect the second inlet 221 and the second outlet 222.

[0055] In the second flow path 220, the air passing through the second flow path 220 is humidified by a humidification mechanism described later. As a result, in the first usage state, an appropriate amount of moisture (i.e., water vapor 501, represented by the wavy dashed arrow in the figure) is added to the air sent towards the user's airway.

[0056] Furthermore, as described above, a water supply passage 230 is provided inside the humidification unit 200A. The water supply passage 230 connects the flexible reservoir 241 and the heater 250, which acts as a vaporization unit, and is intended to send the water stored in the flexible reservoir 241 to the heater 250. The flexible reservoir 241 consists of a bag-shaped member that stores water inside and is detachably connected to the water supply passage 230.

[0057] The heater 250 vaporizes the supplied water by heating it. The piezoelectric pump 260 is an air pump that pumps air, and although its details will be described later, it takes in air from outside the humidification unit 200A and pressurizes the pressurizing chamber 216, which will be described later. The solenoid valve 270, although its details will be described later, discharges the air from the pressurizing chamber 216 to the outside of the humidification unit 200A and depressurizes the pressurizing chamber 216.

[0058] The control unit 130 primarily comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing programs, ROM (Read Only Memory) / RAM (Random Access Memory), drive units for driving the blower 140, heater 250, piezoelectric pump 260, and solenoid valve 270, and a calculation unit for performing various calculations based on various information input from the temperature and humidity sensor 132, flow sensor 133, pressure sensor 134, power consumption sensor 135, and temperature sensor 251. The ROM / RAM includes ROM, which stores data non-volatilely, and RAM, which volatilely stores data generated by program execution by the CPU or data input via the operation unit 131. The components of the control unit 130 are interconnected by a data bus.

[0059] Processing in the CPU is realized by each piece of hardware and the software executed by the CPU. Such software is pre-stored in ROM / RAM. The reception of operations from the operation unit 131, the control of the drive motor that drives the blower 140, the control of the heater 250, the control of the piezoelectric pump 260, the control of the solenoid valve 270, and the various calculations mentioned above are also realized by software.

[0060] The control unit 130, blower 140, heater 250, piezoelectric pump 260, solenoid valve 270, etc., are powered by an internal power supply (not shown) or an external power supply (not shown). For connection to the external power supply, for example, an AC (Alternating Current) adapter (not shown) is used.

[0061] The temperature and humidity sensor 132 is a sensor for measuring the temperature and humidity of air introduced from outside the CPAP device 1A, which will later be delivered into the user's airway, and is installed in the upstream flow path section 120A of the first flow path 120. The temperature and humidity of the air detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 132 are output to the control unit 130 and are mainly used for humidification by the humidification mechanism.

[0062] The flow sensor 133 is a sensor for measuring the airflow rate between the CPAP device 1A and the air tube 300, and the pressure sensor 134 is a sensor for measuring the pressure of the air delivered by the blower 140. These flow sensor 133 and pressure sensor 134 correspond to the breathing state detection unit and are both installed in the downstream flow path section 120B of the first flow path 120.

[0063] Although a detailed explanation is omitted here, the flow rate and pressure detected by the flow sensor 133 and pressure sensor 134 are output to the control unit 130. Based on these flow rates and pressures, the control unit 130 performs control such as feedback control or feedforward control to increase or decrease the rotation speed of the blower 140. The air flow rate and pressure detected by the flow sensor 133 and pressure sensor 134 are also used for humidification by the humidification mechanism.

[0064] The power consumption sensor 135 is a sensor for measuring the power supplied to the heater 250, and is composed of, for example, a current monitor. The power consumption detected by the power consumption sensor 135 is output to the control unit 130 and is mainly used for the humidification operation by the humidification mechanism.

[0065] The temperature sensor 251 is a sensor for measuring the temperature of the heater 250 and is installed adjacent to the heater 250. The temperature of the heater 250 detected by the temperature sensor 251 is output to the control unit 130 and is mainly used for humidification operation by the humidification mechanism.

[0066] The CPAP device 1A may also be provided with a display unit consisting of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. Here, the display unit may be provided on the air blower unit 100 or on the humidification unit 200A. Furthermore, the operation unit 131 does not need to be a button with the physical shape shown in Figures 1 to 3, but may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the display surface of the LCD. Of the operation unit 131, buttons other than the button for switching the power of the CPAP device 1A ON / OFF may be provided on the humidification unit 200A.

[0067] Here, as shown in Figure 5, in the first operating state, the first outlet 122 provided in the first housing 110 is connected to the second inlet 221 provided in the second housing 210. As a result, in the first operating state, the second flow path 220 is connected to the downstream side of the first flow path 120.

[0068] Therefore, in the first operating state, when the blower 140 is driven, air drawn in from the first inlet 121 is discharged from the second outlet 222 via the first flow path 120 and the second flow path 220 in that order. The air discharged from the second outlet 222 is then sent to the user's airway via the air tube 300 and the mask 400. In other words, in the first operating state, the first inlet 121 functions as an air intake port that draws air into the CPAP device 1A, and the second outlet 222 functions as an exhaust port that discharges air from the inside of the CPAP device 1A.

[0069] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to this embodiment in its first operating state, and Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII shown in Figure 6. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the CPAP device 1A according to this embodiment and the airflow inside the CPAP device 1A in its first operating state will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In Figures 6 and 7, the airflow generated by the operation of the blower 140 is schematically represented by arrows.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the internal space of the first housing 110 of the blower unit 100 is divided into multiple chambers by the provision of various walls, hoses, etc. These multiple chambers include a large section 115, a narrow section 116, and a blower chamber 117, and these large section 115, narrow section 116, and blower chamber 117 correspond to the upstream flow path section 120A described above.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, the wide section 115 is provided adjacent to the first inlet 121, which is located on the first connection surface 113 of the first housing 110. The cross-sectional area of ​​the wide section 115 perpendicular to the direction of airflow is relatively large, thereby reducing the pressure loss that may occur at the first inlet 121. The cross-sectional area of ​​the wide section 115 perpendicular to the direction of airflow is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow section 116 perpendicular to the direction of airflow, which will be described later.

[0072] A filter 170 for capturing foreign matter such as dust contained in the air is installed at the first inlet 121, and a filter cover 171, which constitutes part of the first housing 110, is attached to the first connection surface 113 in order to fix the filter 170 to the first connection surface 113. The filter cover 171 has a plurality of holes arranged in a matrix, and the first inlet 121 is formed by these plurality of holes.

[0073] The narrow section 116 is provided adjacent to the wide section 115. This narrow section 116 is formed by providing a partition wall 114 inside the first housing 110, and is configured to have a relatively small cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow. The cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the narrow section 116 is smaller than the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the wide section 115 described above.

[0074] The blower room 117 is located adjacent to the narrow section 116, and houses the blower 140 inside. The blower room 117 has a relatively large cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow, and occupies a relatively large space that makes up most of the first housing 110. The cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the blower room 117 is larger than the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the narrow section 116 described above.

[0075] Here, the first flow path 120 in the wide section 115, the narrow section 116, and the blower chamber 117 is a section in which the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of airflow rapidly expands and contracts from the downstream side to the upstream side in the direction of airflow, and this section functions as the silencer 150 described above. By providing the silencer 150 with this configuration, the noise generated by the blower 140 is attenuated by diffuse reflection as it passes through the silencer 150, and as a result, the leakage of noise through the first inlet 121 can be suppressed.

[0076] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the blower 140 is, for example, a centrifugal fan and is housed in the blower chamber 117 and fixed to the wall portion (i.e., the bottom plate portion) that defines the mounting surface 112 of the first housing 110. The blower 140 has an impeller 141, a drive motor (not shown in the figures), and a casing 142.

[0077] The impeller 141 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the drive motor, and the impeller 141 rotates when the drive motor is driven. As the impeller 141 rotates, the air is agitated, which imparts centrifugal force to the air, generating an airflow inside the casing 142. Air is drawn in through the intake port 143 provided in the casing 142 and discharged through the exhaust port 144 provided in the casing 142.

[0078] The intake port 143 of the blower 140 is located in the casing 142 above the shaft of the impeller 141, and is positioned opposite the inner surface of the wall (i.e., the top plate) that defines the operating surface 111 of the first housing 110 at a predetermined distance. On the other hand, the exhaust port 144 of the blower 140 is located in the casing 142 in the tangential direction to the outer edge of the impeller 141 when viewed along the shaft of the impeller 141, and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the impeller 141.

[0079] Here, the intake port 143 of the blower 140 is in communication with the blower chamber 117, and the exhaust port 144 of the blower 140 is installed so as to cross the blower chamber 117, with one end connected to the other end of a hose 160 which is connected to the first outlet 122 provided in the first housing 110. The space inside this hose 160 corresponds to the downstream flow path section 120B described above.

[0080] A first outlet 122 is provided on the first connection surface 113 of the first housing 110. The first outlet 122 has a nozzle-like shape so that both the second inlet 221 provided on the second connection surface 213 of the second housing 210 and the air tube 300 can be connected to it.

[0081] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the internal space of the second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200A is divided into a pressurizing chamber 216 and a vaporization chamber 217 by a partition wall 215. A portion of the vaporization chamber 217 corresponds to the second flow path 220 described above.

[0082] The pressurized chamber 216 is defined by the wall portion of the second housing 210, including the partition wall 215, and is the portion in which the flexible reservoir 241 is housed. The wall portion of the second housing 210, including the partition wall 215 that defines the pressurized chamber 216, corresponds to the housing portion that accommodates the flexible reservoir 241, and both are configured as pressure partitions. Therefore, even when the pressurized chamber 216 is pressurized, the wall portion can maintain its internal pressure. In addition, a piezoelectric pump 260 and a solenoid valve 270 are assembled to the wall portion of the second housing 210 that defines the pressurized chamber 216.

[0083] The piezoelectric pump 260 is a diaphragm pump that utilizes the electrostrictive properties of a thin-plate piezoelectric material, and as described above, is an air pump capable of drawing in and discharging air. The piezoelectric pump 260 is installed so that its intake port faces the outside of the second housing 210 and its discharge port faces the pressurized chamber 216 provided inside the second housing 210, thereby pressurizing the pressurized chamber 216 by drawing in outside air.

[0084] The solenoid valve 270 is a diaphragm valve that utilizes the electrostrictive properties of a thin-plate piezoelectric material and is installed on a predetermined wall of the second housing 210 so as to discharge the air in the pressurizing chamber 216 to the outside of the humidifying unit 200A and reduce the pressure in the pressurizing chamber 216. Although this solenoid valve 270 is not an essential component, it is preferable that it be installed so as to reduce the pressure in the pressurizing chamber 216 prior to the removal of the cover 214, in order to ensure safety when operating the cover 214 when removing the flexible reservoir 241 from the pressurizing chamber 216.

[0085] The pressurized chamber 216 is located below an opening 212a provided in the mounting surface 212, which is the upper surface of the second housing 210, and is connected to the opening 212a. As mentioned above, the opening 212a is closed by a cover 214. Here, a sealing material (such as a gasket, not shown) is provided between the wall surface of the second housing 210 that defines the opening 212a and the cover 214 to ensure airtightness in that area.

[0086] The flexible reservoir 241 consists of a bag-shaped member that stores water 500 and has a connection port 242 from which the stored water 500 can be discharged. The flexible reservoir 241 is made of a flexible material that can be freely deformed without the water 500 stored inside leaking out, and is housed in the pressurized chamber 216 described above so as to be removable. The connection port 242 provided in the flexible reservoir 241 is configured to be detachably connected to the connection port 231 of the water supply passage 230, which will be described later. The flexible reservoir 241 is made of, for example, a film-like resin member or a metal member.

[0087] The flexible reservoir 241 is preferably disposable from a hygienic standpoint, and may be disposable after multiple uses or after a single use. If it is disposable after multiple uses, it is preferable that it is configured so that water 500 can be easily refilled after all the water 500 has been drained.

[0088] The vaporization chamber 217 is defined by the wall portion of the second housing 210, which includes the partition wall 215, and is provided such that it includes the aforementioned protrusion on the upper surface of the second housing 210 as part of its structure. The vaporization chamber 217 contains a water supply passage 230 and a heater 250. The heater 250 is installed in the lower part of the space inside the aforementioned protrusion, thereby dividing the vaporization chamber 217 into a space above the heater 250 and a space below the heater 250. The space above the heater 250 corresponds to the second flow path 220 described above.

[0089] The space above the heater 250 corresponding to the second flow path 220 is connected to the first flow path 120 located inside the first housing 110 via a second inlet 221 provided on the second connection surface 213 of the second housing 210 and a first outlet 122 provided on the first connection surface 113 of the first housing 110. Furthermore, the space above the heater 250 corresponding to the second flow path 220 is connected to a second outlet 222 provided on the tube connection surface 211 of the second housing 210. The second outlet 222 has a nozzle-like shape to which an air tube 300 can be connected.

[0090] The water supply passage 230 is made up of a pipe bent into a roughly L shape, with one end penetrating the partition wall 215 and reaching the pressurized chamber 216, and the other end connected to the heater 250 from below. Here, the heater 250 includes a heating plate, and the other end of the water supply passage 230 is positioned to face the second flow path 220 described above by penetrating the heating plate.

[0091] The aforementioned one end of the water supply channel 230 corresponds to a connection port 231 that is detachably connected to a flexible reservoir 241 housed in a pressurizing chamber 216, and the aforementioned other end of the water supply channel 230 corresponds to a drain port 232 that drains the water 500 supplied to the water supply channel 230 via the connection port 231 toward the heater 250. The aforementioned connection port 231 corresponds to a water inlet through which the water 500 stored in the flexible reservoir 241 is supplied toward the water supply channel 230.

[0092] Here, the pressurized chamber 216, water supply passage 230, flexible reservoir 241, heater 250, and piezoelectric pump 260 described above mainly correspond to a humidification mechanism that humidifies the air, which is the heated gas to be blown by the blower 140. The humidification operation by this humidification mechanism is achieved by driving the piezoelectric pump 260 for a predetermined period of time.

[0093] More specifically, by adopting the above-described configuration, the pressurized chamber 216 is defined as a sealed space, and when the piezoelectric pump 260 is driven, outside air is drawn into the pressurized chamber 216, thereby pressurizing the chamber 216. As a result, the internal pressure of the space outside the flexible reservoir 241 and inside the housing increases, and the flexible reservoir 241 is compressed accordingly.

[0094] This compressive force causes the water 500 stored inside the flexible reservoir 241 to be introduced into the water supply channel 230 via connection ports 242 and 231, and then pushed out of the water supply channel 230 via the drain port 232 and supplied to the heater 250. The water supplied to the heater 250 is instantly heated and vaporized by the heater 250, becoming water vapor 501 which is then added to the air passing through the second channel 220.

[0095] At this time, the time for driving the piezoelectric pump 260 is determined based on the detection result of the power consumption sensor 135 that detects the power consumption of the heater 250. That is, as will be described later, in the CPAP device 1A according to this embodiment, the output of the heater 250 is controlled by the control unit 130 so that the temperature of the heater 250 is maintained at a predetermined set temperature. As a result, when water 500 is supplied to the heater 250 and the heat of the heater 250 is used for the evaporation of the water 500, the output of the heater 250 becomes relatively higher, and consequently the power consumption of the heater 250 temporarily increases.

[0096] Since the increase in power consumption of the heater 250 is basically proportional to the amount of humidification (evaporation) by the water 500, the amount of humidification can be estimated by detecting this power consumption. Therefore, by stopping the operation of the piezoelectric pump 260 when the corresponding power consumption corresponding to the target amount of humidification (described later) is reached from the start of the humidification operation, only the necessary amount of humidification can be performed. Furthermore, if the heat capacity of the heater 250 is reduced, the amount of humidification can be estimated more precisely, so it is preferable to use, for example, a film heater as the heater 250.

[0097] As described above, in the first operating state, the air inhaled from the first inlet 121 passes through the first flow path 120 and the second flow path 220 in that order and is discharged from the second outlet 222, and is delivered to the user's airway via the air tube 300 connected to the second outlet 222 and the mask 400 connected to the air tube 300. At that time, the air is appropriately humidified by the addition of water vapor 501 in the second flow path 220 before being delivered to the user's airway.

[0098] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to this embodiment. Figure 9 is a timing chart for explaining the humidification operation of the CPAP device according to this embodiment. Next, the details of the humidification operation in the CPAP device 1A according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0099] Referring to Figure 8, when the user starts using the CPAP device 1A by operating the control unit 131, the control unit 130 first issues a drive command to the blower 140 in step S1. As a result, the blower 140 is driven and turns ON.

[0100] Next, in step S2, the control unit 130 gives a drive command to the heater 250. As a result, the heater 250 is driven and turns ON, and the temperature of the heater 250 begins to rise.

[0101] Next, in step S3, the control unit 130 acquires the temperature of the heater 250. Specifically, the control unit 130 acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 251 attached to the heater 250.

[0102] Next, in step S4, the control unit 130 determines whether the temperature of the heater 250 is lower than a preset temperature. If it determines that the temperature of the heater 250 is lower than the preset temperature (YES in step S4), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S2 and continues to drive the heater 250. On the other hand, if it determines that the temperature of the heater 250 is not lower than the preset temperature (NO in step S4), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S5. The preset temperature of the heater 250 is not particularly limited, but is preferably set to 60°C or higher, and more preferably to 80°C or higher, so that the water 500 supplied to the heater 250 is heated and vaporized instantaneously.

[0103] In step S5, the control unit 130 issues a drive stop command to the heater 250. As a result, the heater 250 stops driving and enters the OFF state.

[0104] Next, in step S6, the control unit 130 acquires the temperature and humidity of the air to be humidified. Specifically, the control unit 130 acquires the temperature and humidity of the air to be humidified detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 132 provided in the upstream flow path section 120A of the first flow path 120.

[0105] Next, in step S7, the control unit 130 acquires the flow rate and pressure of the humidified air. Specifically, the control unit 130 acquires the flow rate and pressure of the humidified air detected by the flow sensor 133 and pressure sensor 134 provided in the downstream flow path section 120B of the first flow path 120.

[0106] Next, in step S8, the control unit 130 determines the corresponding power consumption. This determination uses the temperature and humidity of the air to be humidified detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 132, as well as the flow rate and pressure (especially the flow rate) of the air to be humidified detected by the flow rate sensor 133 and pressure sensor 134. For example, the ROM contains a data table in which the correlation between the temperature, humidity, flow rate, and pressure of the air to be humidified and the corresponding power consumption that corresponds to the optimal humidification amount is predetermined. The control unit 130 determines the corresponding power consumption by referring to this data table.

[0107] Next, in step S9, the control unit 130 determines whether the user is in the inhalation phase or not. This determination uses the flow rate and pressure detected by the flow rate sensor 133 and pressure sensor 134 described above. If the control unit 130 determines that the user is not in the inhalation phase (i.e., the user is in the exhalation phase) (NO in step S9), the control unit 130 resets the corresponding power consumption amount determined in step S8, then proceeds to step S3 to return to acquiring the temperature of the heater 250. If the control unit 130 determines that the user is in the inhalation phase (YES in step S9), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S10.

[0108] In step S10, the control unit 130 starts constant temperature control of the heater 250. This constant temperature control of the heater 250 involves the control unit 130 controlling the output of the heater 250 so that the temperature of the heater 250 is maintained at a predetermined set temperature.

[0109] Next, in step S11, the control unit 130 gives a drive command to the piezoelectric pump 260. As a result, the piezoelectric pump 260 is driven and turned ON, and the supply of water 500 stored in the flexible reservoir 241 to the heater 250 via the water supply passage 230 begins.

[0110] Next, in step S12, the control unit 130 obtains the cumulative power consumption of the heater 250 from the start of operation of the piezoelectric pump 260. Specifically, the control unit 130 obtains the power consumption detected by the power consumption sensor 135 and calculates the cumulative power consumption based on this.

[0111] Next, in step S13, the control unit 130 determines whether the cumulative power consumption has reached the corresponding power consumption. If it determines that the corresponding power consumption has not been reached (NO in step S13), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S12 and calculates the cumulative power consumption again. If it determines that the corresponding power consumption has been reached (YES in step S13), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S14.

[0112] In step S14, the control unit 130 issues a command to stop the piezoelectric pump 260. As a result, the piezoelectric pump 260 stops operating and enters the OFF state, and the supply of water 500 stored in the flexible reservoir 241 to the heater 250 via the water supply passage 230 is stopped.

[0113] Next, in step S15, the control unit 130 stops the constant temperature control of the heater 250.

[0114] Next, in step S16, the control unit 130 determines whether or not a stop command was issued for the CPAP device 1A. Specifically, this determination is based on whether or not a stop command was input by the user operating the control unit 131 of the CPAP device 1A. If it is determined that no stop command was issued for the CPAP device 1A (NO in step S16), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S3 and returns to acquiring the temperature of the heater 250. If it is determined that a stop command was issued for the CPAP device 1A (YES in step S16), the control unit 130 proceeds to step S17.

[0115] In step S17, the control unit 130 issues a command to stop the blower 140. As a result, the blower 140 stops running and enters the OFF state, and with this, all operations of the CPAP device 1A are completed.

[0116] As the control unit 130 operates according to the series of control flows described above, the operating time of the piezoelectric pump 260 is appropriately controlled, and the flexible reservoir 241 is appropriately pressurized so that the amount of water 500 to be humidified is supplied to the heater 250. As a result, the humidification operation shown in Figure 9 is achieved.

[0117] In other words, as shown in Figure 9(A), the user repeatedly alternates between inhalation and exhalation by breathing, and the airflow rate in the first flow path 120 changes based on this. This change in airflow rate is detected by the flow sensor 133, and the control unit 130 determines whether the user is in the inhalation or exhalation phase.

[0118] As shown in Figures 9(B) and 9(C), when the control unit 130 determines that the user is in intake mode, the piezoelectric pump 260 is started to run, and the piezoelectric pump 260 is stopped when the cumulative power consumption of the heater 250 reaches a predetermined value corresponding to the target humidification amount. This allows the air to be humidified to the optimal amount.

[0119] Here, if the humidification operation described above is configured to be completed while the user is inhaling, then the humidification operation will not be performed while the user is exhaling. Therefore, in this configuration, it is possible to prevent water vapor added to the air in the second flow path 220 from flowing back into the first flow path 120 due to the user's exhalation. As a result, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of moisture on various devices housed in the first housing 110 (typically the blower 140) which could cause the devices to malfunction, and to prevent bacteria from growing on the inner wall of the first housing 110 due to moisture accumulation, resulting in a CPAP device that is superior in terms of hygiene and ease of cleaning and maintenance.

[0120] As described above, by using the CPAP device 1A according to this embodiment, a compact and efficient CPAP device can be made. The reason why the device can be made compact is that the humidification mechanism (especially the heater 250 as the vaporization part) can be made sufficiently compact, and the reason why humidification can be performed efficiently is that the humidification operation is performed only when humidification is needed, so the total amount of energy required to vaporize the water 500 (i.e., the sum of the power consumption of the heater 250 and the power consumption of the piezoelectric pump 260) can be suppressed.

[0121] Another reason why humidification can be performed efficiently is that energy loss is significantly reduced. In conventional humidification methods, which heat the entire volume of water stored in a tank, the amount of heat released from the tank to the outside is significantly greater than the amount of heat required to vaporize the water, resulting in a greater total energy requirement. In contrast, the humidification mechanism according to this embodiment suppresses such energy waste, resulting in more efficient humidification.

[0122] Furthermore, by using the CPAP device 1A according to the above-described embodiment, even if the user accidentally tips over the device, it is possible to prevent the water 500 stored in the flexible reservoir 241 from entering the inside of the blower unit 100 or the air tube 300 via the second flow path 220. This is because the surface tension of the water 500 in the portion of the water supply passage 230 that communicates with the second flow path 220 located at the drain port 232 prevents the water 500 from leaking into the second flow path 220. This prevents the aforementioned equipment malfunction and the inflow of liquid water 500 into the user's airway.

[0123] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing unintended leakage of water 500 from the drain port 232, it is even more preferable to provide a check valve at the drain port 232 that allows the movement of water 500 from the water supply passage 230 toward the heater 250 and restricts the movement of water 500 and air passing through the second flow path 220 toward the water supply passage 230, or, in addition to or instead of this, to apply a water-repellent treatment to the flow path forming surface of the water supply passage 230 that defines the drain port 232 and / or the end surface of the drain port 232. By configuring in this way, not only can the leakage of water 500 when the CPAP device 1A tips over be suppressed, but it is also possible to prevent more water 500 than necessary from being supplied to the heater 250 during humidification operation, thereby enabling more reliable and precise control of the humidification amount. Furthermore, when applying the water-repellent treatment near the drain port 232, it can be applied to the flow channel forming surface and / or end face of the other end of the water supply channel 230 where the drain port 232 is provided. In this case, it may be applied to only a part of the flow channel forming surface or only a part of the end face.

[0124] Furthermore, by using the CPAP device 1A according to the above-described embodiment, cost savings can also be achieved. This is because the humidification mechanism described above has a very simple configuration, and the components necessary to constitute the humidification mechanism, such as the heater 250 and piezoelectric pump 260, are relatively inexpensive. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a CPAP device at a low cost.

[0125] In addition, by using the CPAP device 1A according to the above-described embodiment, a secondary effect can be obtained in which humidified air can be delivered to the user's airway soon after the start of use. This is because, as described above, the heater 250 can be made significantly smaller, which makes it possible to raise the heater 250 to the set temperature more quickly, and as a result the humidification operation can be performed with almost no delay from the start of use.

[0126] In the CPAP device 1A according to the above-described embodiment, an algorithm is employed to estimate the amount of humidification from the cumulative power consumption, based on the view that the power consumption of the heater 250 and the amount of humidification are proportional. However, in reality, the power consumption of the heater 250 also changes depending on factors such as the ambient temperature, the temperature of the water stored in the flexible reservoir 241, and the amount of air blown by the blower 140. Therefore, in order to adjust the amount of humidification more precisely, it is advisable to make appropriate corrections based on the temperature detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 132 and the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 133.

[0127] (Embodiment 2) Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention in a first usage state. Hereinafter, the CPAP device 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10.

[0128] As shown in Figure 10, the CPAP device 1B according to this embodiment differs from the CPAP device 1A according to the first embodiment described above mainly in that it is equipped with a humidification unit 200B with a different configuration.

[0129] The humidification unit 200B does not have a protrusion that protrudes upward from one of the four corners of the upper surface of the second housing 210, but instead has a protrusion that protrudes downward from one of the four corners of the lower surface. One of the sides of the protrusion provided on the lower surface of the second housing 210 constitutes a tube connection surface 211 to which the air tube 300 is connected in the first operating state, and the other of the aforementioned sides of the protrusion constitutes a second connection surface 213 to which the blower unit 100 is connected in the first operating state.

[0130] The portion of the lower surface of the second housing 210 excluding the aforementioned protruding portion constitutes a mounting surface 219 on which the blower unit 100 is placed in the first operating state. Accordingly, the upper surface of the first housing 110 of the blower unit 100 constitutes a mounting surface 118 on which the humidifier unit 200B is placed in the first operating state, and the lower surface of the first housing 110 constitutes a mounting surface on which it is placed on a floor, table, etc. in the first operating state.

[0131] In other words, in the CPAP device 1B according to this embodiment, the humidification unit 200A is mounted on the blower unit 100, thereby enabling the humidification unit 200A to be attached to the blower unit 100. The operating surface of the blower unit 100, on which the operating section is provided, is formed on one of the four sides of the first housing 110, excluding the first connection surface 113.

[0132] The internal space of the second housing 210 is divided into a pressurizing chamber 216 and a vaporization chamber 217 by a partition wall 215. The vaporization chamber 217 is provided such that it includes the aforementioned protrusion on the lower surface of the second housing 210 as part of its structure. The vaporization chamber 217 contains a water supply passage 230 and a heater 250, with the heater 250 installed in the lower part of the internal space of the aforementioned protrusion. This vaporization chamber 217 corresponds to the second flow path 220 connecting the second inlet 221 and the second outlet 222.

[0133] The water supply passage 230 is made up of a pipe bent into a roughly L-shape, with one end penetrating the partition wall 215 and reaching the pressurized chamber 216. The other end of the water supply passage 230 is positioned above the heater 250 so as to face the heater 250. In this way, the water supply passage 230 is configured to connect the flexible reservoir 241 and the heater 250, which acts as a vaporization unit.

[0134] The aforementioned one end of the water supply channel 230 corresponds to a connection port 231 that is detachably connected to a flexible reservoir 241 housed in a pressurizing chamber 216, and corresponds to a water inlet through which water 500 stored in the flexible reservoir 241 housed in the pressurizing chamber 216 is supplied to the water supply channel 230. The aforementioned other end of the water supply channel 230 corresponds to a drain port 232 that drains the water 500 supplied to the water supply channel 230 via the connection port 231 toward the heater 250.

[0135] The piezoelectric pump 260 and solenoid valve 270, which are positioned to face the pressurizing chamber 216, are the same as those in Embodiment 1 described above, so their explanation will not be repeated here.

[0136] Even when the CPAP device 1B has the configuration described above, similar to the case of the CPAP device 1A in Embodiment 1 described above, the operating time of the piezoelectric pump 260 is appropriately controlled so that the flexible reservoir 241 is pressurized and the amount of water 500 to be humidified is supplied to the heater 250, thereby enabling the humidification operation described above. Therefore, even when this configuration is adopted, the same effects as those described in Embodiment 1 described above can be obtained.

[0137] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the drain outlet of the water supply channel shown in Figure 10. Next, an example of the configuration of the water supply channel 230 of the CPAP device 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11.

[0138] In the CPAP device 1B according to this embodiment, the space inside the flexible reservoir 241 is sealed except for the connection port 242. Therefore, basically, water 500 will not leak out of the drain port 232 unless the flexible reservoir 241 is compressed. However, from the viewpoint of more precisely adjusting the amount of humidification, it is preferable to ensure that water 500 is reliably retained in the drain port 232 when the pressurization of the flexible reservoir 241 is released. The following configuration examples are some examples of how to achieve this.

[0139] The configuration example shown in Figure 11(A) is one in which a check valve 234A is provided at the other end of the water supply channel 230 as described above. The check valve 234A is made of, for example, an elastic material, and the drain port 232 of the water supply channel 230 is defined by this check valve 234A. In this case, the check valve 234A normally prevents the movement of water 500 from the water supply channel 230 toward the heater 250, while when the flexible reservoir 241 is compressed, the internal pressure of the flexible reservoir 241 rises, causing the check valve 234A to open, and the movement of water 500 from the water supply channel 230 toward the heater 250 is permitted until the rise in internal pressure subsides.

[0140] The configuration examples shown in Figures 11(B) to 11(D) are each provided with nozzles 234B to 234D at the other end of the water supply channel 230 as described above. Here, nozzles 234B to 234D each have a drain port 232 smaller than the inner diameter of the water supply channel 230, thereby increasing the surface tension generated in the water 500 in contact with the drain port 232. With this configuration, the movement of water 500 from the water supply channel 230 toward the heater 250 is not permitted under normal circumstances, and as the flexible reservoir 241 is compressed, the increase in the internal pressure of the flexible reservoir 241 causes water 500 to be pushed out from the water supply channel 230 toward the heater 250.

[0141] Here, the nozzle 234B with the shape shown in Figure 11(B) is configured such that the drain port 232 is defined by a single hole, while the nozzle 234C with the shape shown in Figure 11(C) is configured such that the drain port 232 is defined by multiple holes. Furthermore, the nozzle 234D with the shape shown in Figure 11(D) is configured such that the drain port 232 is defined by a single hole whose cross-sectional area increases as it goes downwards. If the nozzle 234C with the shape shown in Figure 11(C) is used, water 500 will be supplied to the heater 250 in a shower-like manner, and if the nozzle 234D with the shape shown in Figure 11(D) is used, water 500 will be supplied to a wider area of ​​the heater 250, resulting in the effect of promoting the vaporization of water 500 in the heater 250 compared to the case of the nozzle 234B with the shape shown in Figure 11(A).

[0142] Furthermore, the check valve 234A shown in Figure 11(A) and the nozzles 234B to 234D shown in Figures 11(B) to 11(D) above may be made of water-repellent material. In that case, the water 500 will be repelled from the drain port 232 defined by these check valves 234A and nozzles 234B to 234D, so that the movement of water 500 from the water supply passage 230 toward the heater 250 is not permitted under normal circumstances, and the flexible reservoir 241 is compressed, causing the water 500 to be pushed out from the water supply passage 230 toward the heater 250 due to the increase in the internal pressure of the flexible reservoir 241.

[0143] (Embodiment 3) Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention in a first usage state. Hereinafter, the CPAP device 1C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 12.

[0144] As shown in Figure 12, the CPAP device 1C according to this embodiment differs from the CPAP device 1A according to the first embodiment described above mainly in that it is equipped with a humidification unit 200C with a different configuration.

[0145] The second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200C has basically the same configuration as the second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200A according to Embodiment 1, but the space inside it in which the flexible reservoir 241 is housed is not configured as a pressurized chamber, but as a simple storage chamber 218. That is, the storage chamber 218 does not necessarily need to be airtightly sealed from the outside, and consequently, there is no need to provide a sealing material such as a packing between the part defining the opening 212a provided on the mounting surface 212 of the second housing 210 and the lid 214. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the piezoelectric pump 260 is provided on the wall of the second housing 210, and there is no need to provide a solenoid valve.

[0146] On the other hand, the flexible reservoir 241 housed in the aforementioned storage chamber 218 is configured as part of a double bag 240 covered by a bag-shaped member 243 that houses the flexible reservoir 241. The bag-shaped member 243 is preferably made of a rigid material that is less prone to bending deformation than the flexible reservoir 241, and corresponds to the housing portion that houses the flexible reservoir 241. The bag-shaped member 243 is made of, for example, a film-like resin material or a metal material.

[0147] The flexible reservoir 241 and the bag-shaped member 243 that constitute the double bag 240 are integrated by joining them together by adhesive or welding. Here, the connection port 242 of the flexible reservoir 241 is pulled out to the outside through the bag-shaped member 243, and a connection port 244, separate from the connection port 242 of the flexible reservoir 241, is provided at a predetermined position on the bag-shaped member 243.

[0148] As a result, the internal space of the flexible reservoir 241 (i.e., the space filled with water 500) is in communication with the external space via the connection port 242, and the pressurized space 245, which is the space outside the flexible reservoir 241 and the space inside the bag-shaped member 243, is in communication with the external space via the connection port 244.

[0149] Here, when the double bag 240 is housed in the storage chamber 218, the connection port 242 of the flexible reservoir 241 is connected to the connection port 231 of the water supply channel 230, and the connection port 244 of the bag-shaped member 243 is connected to the piezoelectric pump 260. This enables water to be supplied from the flexible reservoir 241 to the water supply channel 230, and also enables pressurization of the pressurized space 245 by the piezoelectric pump 260.

[0150] As described above, in this embodiment, the bag-shaped member 243 is made of a material that is harder than the flexible reservoir 241. Therefore, when the pressurized space 245 is pressurized by the operation of the piezoelectric pump 260, the pressure mainly acts on the flexible reservoir 241, thereby efficiently compressing the flexible reservoir 241.

[0151] This compressive force causes the water 500 stored inside the flexible reservoir 241 to be introduced into the water supply channel 230 via connection ports 231 and 242, and then pushed out of the water supply channel 230 via the drain port 232 and supplied to the heater 250. The water supplied to the heater 250 is instantly heated and vaporized by the heater 250, becoming water vapor 501 which is then added to the air passing through the second channel 220.

[0152] Even when the CPAP device 1C has the configuration described above, similar to the case of the CPAP device 1A in Embodiment 1 described above, the operating time of the piezoelectric pump 260 is appropriately controlled so that the flexible reservoir 241 is pressurized and the amount of water 500 to be humidified is supplied to the heater 250, thereby enabling the humidification operation described above. Therefore, even when this configuration is adopted, the same effects as those described in Embodiment 1 described above can be obtained.

[0153] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a storage compartment 218 for housing the double bag 240 is provided in the second housing 210. However, the storage compartment 218 may be omitted, and the double bag 240 may be attached externally to the second housing 210. In this configuration, the entire humidification unit 200C, including the double bag 240, can be significantly miniaturized. Furthermore, when not in use, the double bag 240 can be folded and carried without being filled with water 500, resulting in a CPAP device with superior convenience.

[0154] (Embodiment 4) Figure 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functional block of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention in a first usage state, and Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device in the first usage state. First, the configuration and detailed structure of the functional block of the CPAP device 1D according to this embodiment in a first usage state will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14.

[0155] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the CPAP device 1C according to this embodiment differs from the CPAP device 1A according to the first embodiment described above mainly in that it is equipped with a humidification unit 200D with a different configuration. Here, the humidification unit 200A according to the first embodiment described above was configured to supply water 500 to the heater 250, which acts as a vaporization unit, by externally pressurizing a flexible reservoir 241. However, the humidification unit 200D according to this embodiment is configured to supply water 500 to the heater 250 by utilizing the elastic restoring force of the elastic reservoir 246.

[0156] The second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200D of the CPAP device 1D has basically the same configuration as the second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200A according to Embodiment 1, but the space inside it in which the elastic reservoir 246 is housed is not configured as a pressurized chamber, but as a simple storage chamber 218. That is, the storage chamber 218 does not necessarily need to be airtightly sealed from the outside, and consequently, there is no need to provide a sealing material such as a packing between the part defining the opening 212a provided on the mounting surface 212 of the second housing 210 and the lid 214. Furthermore, the second housing 210 does not have a piezoelectric pump or solenoid valve on its wall.

[0157] On the other hand, a valve 280 is provided in the water supply passage 230 located in the vaporization chamber 217 of the second housing 210. The valve 280 allows the flow of water 500 through the water supply passage 230 when open, and blocks the flow of water 500 through the water supply passage 230 when closed. This valve 280 is configured to be drivable by a valve drive unit 281, such as a motor, which switches the valve 280 between the open and closed states.

[0158] The elastic reservoir 246 housed in the aforementioned storage chamber 218 consists of a bag-shaped member for storing water 500 and has a connection port 247 from which the stored water 500 can be discharged. The elastic reservoir 246 is made of a material that can be freely deformed elastically without the water 500 stored inside leaking out, and is housed in the aforementioned storage chamber 218 so as to be easily moved in and out. The connection port 247 provided in the elastic reservoir 246 is configured to be detachably connected to the connection port 231 of the water supply passage 230. The elastic reservoir 246 is made of, for example, a rubber material.

[0159] The elastic reservoir 246 is formed by elastic expansion and deformation when water 500 is injected into it. In other words, the elastic reservoir 246 has a sufficiently small internal space or no internal space at all when no external force is applied, and is, so to speak, balloon-like.

[0160] Here, the water supply passage 230, elastic reservoir 246, heater 250, valve 280, and valve drive unit 281 described above mainly correspond to a humidification mechanism that humidifies the air, which is the heated gas to be blown by the blower 140. The humidification operation by this humidification mechanism is achieved by keeping the valve 280 open (i.e., unleashed) for a predetermined period of time.

[0161] More specifically, by adopting the above configuration, when the valve 280 is in the open state, the elastic restoring force of the elastic reservoir 246 causes the water 500 stored inside the elastic reservoir 246 to be introduced into the water supply passage 230 via the connection ports 247 and 231, and then pushed out of the water supply passage 230 via the drain port 232 and supplied to the heater 250. The water supplied to the heater 250 is instantly heated and vaporized by the heater 250, becoming water vapor 501 which is then added to the air passing through the second passage 220.

[0162] On the other hand, when the valve 280 is closed, the flow of water 500 in the water supply passage 230 is blocked, which stops the supply of water 500 to the heater 250, and consequently the humidification operation is also stopped.

[0163] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the first usage state of the CPAP device according to this embodiment. Figure 16 is a timing chart for explaining the humidification operation of the CPAP device according to this embodiment. Next, the details of the humidification operation in the CPAP device 1D according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 15 and 16.

[0164] As shown in Figure 15, the control flow of the control unit 130 in the CPAP device 1D according to this embodiment is similar to the control flow shown in Figure 8, the only difference being that the valve 280 is opened in step S11 and closed in step S14. Here, the opening and closing of the valve 280 is achieved by the control unit 130 giving an operation command to the valve drive unit 281.

[0165] The control unit 130 operates according to the series of control flows shown in Figure 15, thereby appropriately controlling the time the valve 280 is open, and this ensures that the required amount of water 500 is supplied to the heater 250. This results in the humidification operation shown in Figure 16.

[0166] Therefore, even when the CPAP device 1D has the configuration described above, the same effects as those described in Embodiment 1 above can be obtained, and a compact and efficient CPAP device can be made.

[0167] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a storage chamber 218 for housing the elastic reservoir 246 is provided in the second housing 210. However, the storage chamber 218 may be omitted, and the elastic reservoir 246 may be attached externally to the second housing 210. In this configuration, the entire humidification unit 200D, including the elastic reservoir 246, can be significantly miniaturized. Furthermore, when not in use, the elastic reservoir 246 can be folded and carried without being filled with water 500, resulting in a CPAP device with superior convenience.

[0168] (Embodiment 5) Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CPAP device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention in a first usage state, and Figure 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functional block of the CPAP device in the first usage state. The CPAP device 1E according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 17 and 18.

[0169] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the CPAP device 1E according to this embodiment differs from the CPAP device 1A according to Embodiment 1 described above mainly in its configuration, which is that it is equipped with a humidification unit 200E with a different configuration.

[0170] Specifically, a pressure sensor 290 is provided as a pressure detection unit in the pressurized chamber 216, which serves as a housing section in the second housing 210 of the humidification unit 200E. More specifically, the pressure sensor 290 is located in the space outside the flexible reservoir 241 and inside the pressurized chamber 216, thereby detecting the pressure in the pressurized chamber 216. The pressure detected by the pressure sensor 290 is output to the control unit 130 and is mainly used for the humidification operation by the humidification mechanism.

[0171] In other words, in the CPAP device 1E according to this embodiment, unlike the CPAP device 1A according to Embodiment 1 described above, the amount of humidification by the humidification mechanism is adjusted by the control unit 130 controlling the drive of the piezoelectric pump 260 (for example, controlling the drive time) based on the pressure of the pressurizing chamber 216 detected by the pressure sensor 290 described above.

[0172] In this embodiment of the CPAP device 1E, the flexible reservoir 241 housed inside the pressurizing chamber 216 is compressed by driving the piezoelectric pump 260, and a portion of the water 500 stored in the flexible reservoir 241 is supplied to the heater 250 via the water supply passage 230. Therefore, a predetermined correlation is established between the pressure inside the pressurizing chamber 216 and the amount of water 500 pushed out from the flexible reservoir 241 (i.e., the amount of humidification).

[0173] Therefore, by performing feedback control etc. in the control unit 130, the pressure inside the pressurizing chamber 216 is detected, and the piezoelectric pump 260 is appropriately driven based on the detected pressure, thereby appropriately pressurizing the flexible reservoir 241, and as a result, the amount of humidification by the humidification mechanism can be adjusted.

[0174] Furthermore, in the humidification unit 200E, a constricted section 233 is provided at an intermediate position in the water supply passage 230, where one end, a connection port 231, is connected to a flexible reservoir 241, and the other end, a drain port 232, is connected to a heater 250, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is reduced compared to the rest of the water supply passage 230. The constricted section 233 is provided at an intermediate position in the water supply passage 230 to form a section with higher flow resistance compared to the rest of the passage.

[0175] By providing a throttling section 233 in the middle of the water supply passage 230 in this manner, the amount of water 500 supplied to the heater 250 via the water supply passage 230 can be reduced to a lower flow rate. In other words, the throttling section 233 functions as a high flow resistance section, which reduces the ratio of the amount of water 500 supplied to the heater 250 to the pressure rise in the pressurizing chamber 216. As a result, a stable supply of water 500 to the heater 250 at a lower flow rate becomes possible.

[0176] Therefore, by configuring it in this way, it becomes possible to suppress variations in the amount of water 500 supplied due to pressure variations, and to adjust the amount of humidification by the humidification mechanism with high precision. Note that the throttling section 233 does not necessarily have to be located in the middle of the water supply passage 230, but may be located at the end of the water supply passage 230 on the connection port 231 side or the end on the drain port 232 side.

[0177] Even with the CPAP device 1E configured as described above, the same effects as those described in Embodiment 1 can be obtained, resulting in a compact and efficient CPAP device.

[0178] (Other Forms, etc.) In the embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the present invention was explained using the application of the present invention to a CPAP device as a humidifying air blower for the respiratory system as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to steam inhalers, oxygen inhalers, and the like, in addition to CPAP devices. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to any device equipped with a humidifying device, and it can naturally be applied to devices other than humidifying air blowers for the respiratory system. Moreover, the present invention can be effectively applied even when used as a standalone humidifying device.

[0179] In embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the example described was one in which a heater for heating water was used as the vaporization unit. However, the vaporization unit does not necessarily have to be configured in this way; anything capable of vaporizing water can be used as the vaporization unit. Furthermore, if an atomizing unit (for example, an ultrasonic transducer) is provided instead of the vaporization unit, it can be used as an atomizing device. An example of such an atomizing device is a nebulizer used as an atomizing device for respiratory equipment.

[0180] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 described above, the explanation was given using a piezoelectric pump as the pressurizing source, which is an outside air introduction source. However, the pressurizing source for pressurizing the pressurizing chamber does not necessarily have to be an outside air introduction source that introduces outside air into the pressurizing chamber. Also, even when the pressurizing source is an outside air introduction source, it does not necessarily have to be a piezoelectric pump; any device that can pump outside air can be used as the outside air introduction source.

[0181] Furthermore, in the embodiments 1 to 5 described above, examples were given of flexible reservoirs and elastic reservoirs consisting of flattened bag-shaped members. However, the shape of these flexible reservoirs and elastic reservoirs is not particularly limited, and they may be constructed from bag-shaped members with a non-flattened shape (for example, spherical, rod-shaped, etc.), or from bag-shaped members with a special shape such as a bellows shape.

[0182] Furthermore, the characteristic configurations disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 5 described above can be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0183] Thus, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the description in the claims.

[0184] 1A-1E CPAP device, 100 Blower unit, 110 First housing, 111 Operating surface, 112 Mounting surface, 113 First connection surface, 114 Partition wall, 115 Wide section, 116 Narrow section, 117 Blower chamber, 118 Mounting surface, 120 First flow path, 120A Upstream flow path section, 120B Downstream flow path section, 121 First inlet, 122 First outlet, 130 Control unit, 131 Operating section, 132 Temperature and humidity sensor, 133 Flow sensor, 134 Pressure sensor, 135 Power consumption sensor, 140 Blower, 141 Impeller, 142 Casing, 143 Inlet, 144 Outlet, 150 Silencer, 160 Hose, 170 Filter, 171 Filter cover, 200A-200E Humidification unit, 210 Second housing, 211 Tube connection surface, 212 Mounting surface, 212a Opening, 213 Second connection surface, 214 Lid, 215 Partition wall, 216 Pressurization chamber, 217 Evaporation chamber, 218 Storage chamber, 219 Mounting surface, 220 Second flow path, 221 Second inlet, 222 Second outlet, 230 Water supply path, 231 Connection port, 232 Drain port, 233 Constriction section, 234A Check valve, 234B-234D Nozzle, 240 Double bag, 241 Flexible reservoir, 242 Connection port, 243 Bag-shaped member, 244 Connection port, 245 Pressurized space, 246 Elastic reservoir, 247 Connection port, 250 Heater, 251 Temperature sensor, 260; Piezoelectric pump, 270; Solenoid valve, 280; Valve, 281; Valve drive unit, 290; Pressure sensor, 300; Air tube, 400; Mask, 500; Water, 501; Water vapor.

Claims

1. A humidifier comprising: a bag-shaped flexible reservoir for storing water; an evaporation unit for evaporating the supplied water; a water supply channel having one end detachably connected to the flexible reservoir and the other end connected to the evaporation unit; a storage unit for storing the flexible reservoir; a pressure source for compressing the flexible reservoir by pressurizing the space outside the flexible reservoir and the space inside the storage unit; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the pressure source, wherein the water stored in the flexible reservoir is supplied to the evaporation unit via the water supply channel by the compressive force exerted by the flexible reservoir.

2. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized source comprises an outside air introduction source that introduces outside air into the space outside the flexible reservoir and into the space inside the storage section.

3. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the outside air introduction source comprises a piezoelectric pump.

4. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container comprises a pressure bulkhead.

5. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage section is made of a bag-shaped member, and the flexible reservoir and the bag-shaped member are joined and integrated together, so that the flexible reservoir and the bag-shaped member have a double bag structure.

6. A humidifier comprising: a bag-shaped elastic reservoir for storing water; an evaporation unit for evaporating the supplied water; a water supply channel having one end detachably connected to the elastic reservoir and the other end connected to the evaporation unit; a valve provided in the water supply channel, which allows water to flow in the water supply channel in an open state and blocks water from flowing in the water supply channel in a closed state; a valve drive unit for switching the valve to either the open state or the closed state; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the valve drive unit, wherein the elastic reservoir elastically expands and deforms when water is injected into it, and the water stored in the elastic reservoir is supplied to the evaporation unit via the water supply channel in the open state by the elastic restoring force of the elastic reservoir.

7. A humidifier device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a check valve is provided at the other end to allow fluid to move from the water supply channel toward the vaporization section and to restrict fluid movement from the vaporization section toward the water supply channel.

8. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flow path forming surface and / or the end surface of the other end is treated to be water repellent.

9. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a throttle portion is provided in the water supply passage.

10. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vaporizing section comprises a heater for heating the supplied water.

11. A humidifier as described in claim 10, further comprising a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the heater, and a power consumption detection unit that detects the power consumption of the heater, wherein the output of the heater is controlled by the control unit so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at a constant temperature based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and the control unit controls the amount of water supplied to the evaporation unit based on the power consumption detected by the power consumption detection unit, thereby adjusting the amount of humidification.

12. A humidifying and blowing device for a respiratory system, comprising: a blower including a blower for sending gas into the airway of a user; and a humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the airflow generated by driving the blower is humidified by the humidifying device.

13. A humidifying air supply device for a respiratory system as described in claim 12, further comprising a respiratory condition detection unit for detecting the respiratory condition of the user, wherein the control unit determines whether the user is inhaling or exhaling based on the detection result of the respiratory condition detection unit, and is configured so that when the control unit determines that the user is inhaling, the humidifying operation is performed by the humidifying device, and when the control unit determines that the user is exhaling, the humidifying operation by the humidifying device is stopped.

14. A humidifier as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure in the space outside the flexible reservoir and inside the storage unit, and the control unit is configured to adjust the amount of humidification by controlling the amount of water supplied to the vaporization unit based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit.