Control device on particle size of nebulization or humidification mist and mist generation system
The control device separates large and small particles within a misty airflow by redirecting large particles into a feedback loop, enhancing the production of small particle mist output and minimizing deposition and irritation risks.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2024/072564
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing mist generators struggle to produce a high percentage of small particle droplets while minimizing large particles, which can cause unwanted deposition and skin irritation, particularly in newborns and infants, and current filtration methods suffer from blockage and hygiene issues.
A control device with a curvature nozzle and separation plate redirects large particles back into a feedback loop, using a centrifugal spinning effect to separate and output a high percentage of small particles.
The device effectively produces a high percentage of smaller particle mist output by redirecting large particles into a feedback loop, reducing unwanted deposition and skin irritation risks.
Smart Images

Figure CN2024072564_24072025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
CONTROL DEVICE ON PARTICLE SIZE OF NEBULIZATION OR HUMIDIFICATION MIST AND MIST GENERATION SYSTEMTechnical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to particle size control of nebulization or humidification mist, and more particularly, to a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist and a mist generation system.Background Art
[0002] It is well known in the medical nebulization industry that particle sizes of mist produced by the mist generator play a very critical role in the effective treatment against various respiratory disorder diseases. Essentially, it is the objective of a mist generator to produce mist with abundant of small particle droplets and an minimum number of large particles. It is well known in the medical industry regarding treatment to respiratory disorders that large particles of droplet size 5 microns and above causes unwanted deposition in the respiratory system of a patient. This may lead to unwanted side effects, particularly to newborns and infants due to their small and narrow respiratory anatomy. In addition, mist with big particle sizes may also cause skin irritation due to ease of condensation particularly during the respiratory disorder treatment to the newborns and infants due to their highly sensitive skin in their rapid skin-cells growing phase. This may cause unnecessary added discomfort to the newborns and infant during treatment of respiratory disorder.
[0003] Currently, particle sizes of the mist produced by a mist generator in the prior art are determined by the ultrasonic vibrating frequency that is produced by a specific geometry piezoelectric transducer with an applied electrical voltage. More specifically, the vibrating frequency of the mist-generating transducer is determined primarily by the thickness of the piezoelectric material sheet.
[0004] Specifically, in different applications where a different range of particles sizes are required, one skilled in the art can figure out using filter or multiple filters medium in filtering off the undesirable sizes in different stages of the misty air flow to achieve the final desire particle sizes range for the intended use of the device.
[0005] There are many types of air particle filter medias available in the market that performs different level of filtration effectiveness&filtration efficiency, such as ULPA means (Ultra Low Particulate Air), HEPA means (High Efficiency Particulate Air), EPA means (Efficiency Particulate Air). However, using filter(s) techniques for filtering off the undesirable sizes (usually the undesirable bigger size droplets) do precipitate the following problems: a) blockage of the filtering media by dust particles over short time of use thereby jeopardizing the effectiveness of the filter(s); b) blockage of the filtering media by the accumulated tiny mist droplets that stay on the filter during filtering process thus causing blockage or partial blockage of the filter media thereby jeopardizing the effectiveness of the filter(s); c) requirement of managing the hygienic aspect of the filter media in various aspects like sanitization, dust particles, etc., for a contamination-free long-term use.
[0006] It was found that the use of filters do not provide a good or feasible long-term solution to an end-user in achieving the desired objective of the intended use of the mist generator. However, it was discovered that there is another method to achieve the desirable particles sizes range by varying the speed of the fan to a high fan speed level in an attempt to eliminate / reduce large particles also has its own pitfalls. The higher centrifugal spinning force at high speed is taking away too much large particles together with smaller ones in the misty airstream leaving too little or limited mist that ultimately exit at the output nozzle. If the fan speed is too slow, the lower centrifugal spinning force is not effective enough to cause the separation and removal of the large particles in the misty airstream thereby leaving more large particles that exit at the outlet of the curved nozzle.Technical Problem
[0007] Therefore, further research or investigation is needed in finding a better or workable solution to overcome the various limitations of the current devices.Technical Solution
[0008] The object of the disclosure is to provide a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, which is capable of effectively separating large particles and small particles within a same misty airflow. The further object of the disclosure is to provide a mist generation system, which is capable of effectively separating large particles and small particles within a same misty airflow and outputting a misty airflow with small particles.
[0009] According to an aspect, a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist is provided, including a main body which is provided with an inlet, a curvature nozzle which is arranged at the main body and provided with an outlet, and a suction fan which is arranged inside the main body for sucking a misty airflow from the inlet and outputting the misty airflow from the outlet, wherein a separation plate is provided inside the curvature nozzle, which separates the curvature nozzle into two different curvature airflow channels, so as to enable the misty airflow with a large particle size to be redirected back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop and leaves the misty airflow with a small particle size to be outputted from the outlet.
[0010] Preferably, the curvature nozzle includes a curvature portion and a tapered nozzle portion, the separation plate is a curved plate which is arranged along and spaced from the curvature portion, wherein the curvature portion is arranged at a top wall of the main body and the tapered nozzle portion is assembled at the curvature portion, wherein the curvature portion is provided with an opening which allows the misty airflow with the large particle size to escape from the opening, wherein a particle size controller is inserted into the opening, so as to redirect the escaped misty airflow with the large particle size back to the suction fan to form the feedback loop, the outlet is arranged at the tapered nozzle portion for outputting the misty airflow with the small particle size.
[0011] Preferably, the curvature portion includes a first curvature portion which is arranged at the top wall of the main body and extends upward, and a second curvature portion which extends horizontally from the first curvature portion; wherein a V-shape connection portion is formed between the first curvature portion and the second curvature portion, and the opening is arranged at a bottom of the V-shape connection portion.
[0012] Preferably, the particle size controller is a flat piece which matches with the opening; or the particle size controller is a flat piece with two flexible arms which match with the opening.
[0013] Preferably, the particle size controller includes a first horizontal portion, a second horizontal portion, and a vertical portion with one end connecting with a middle of the first horizontal portion and one end connecting with a middle of the second horizontal portion, wherein both ends of the second horizontal portion are respectively provided with one flexible arm.
[0014] Preferably, the flexible arm is provided with one or more protrusions which extend away from the vertical portion for adjusting an insertion depth of the particle size controller.
[0015] Preferably, the insertion depth of the particle size controller is linked and synchronized with a speed of the suction fan to deliver a designated volume of the misty airflow at a designated output rate.
[0016] Preferably, the main body includes a fan chamber for assembling the suction fan, and a battery chamber for assembling battery for the suction fan; the inlet is provided at a side wall of the main body and connects the fan chamber, wherein the suction fan is arranged directly opposite to the inlet for sucking the misty airflow from the inlet and outputting the misty airflow upward to the outlet of the curvature nozzle; a connector is arranged at an outer surface of the side wall of the main body so as to form the inlet and receive the misty airflow. Preferably, the separation plate is detachable and is provided with holes.
[0017] In a further aspect, a mist generation system is disclosed, which includes a mist source and the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist discussed above.
[0018] Preferably, the mist generation system includes at least two control devices on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, which are connected in a cascaded arrangement. Preferably, the inlet of a first control device is connected with the mist source and the outlet of the first control device is connected with the inlet of the second control device, and the second control device outputs the misty airflow from its outlet.Advantageous Effects
[0019] This disclosure provides a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, which is capable of separating large particles and small particles within the same misty airflow inside the curvature nozzle. It was surprisingly discovered that by redirecting a portion of the misty airflow back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop, abundant portion of the large particles in the misty airflow are cut down and a great portion of the small particles are left and outputted from the outlet. This feedback loop design provides a means to effectively produce a high percentage of smaller particle mist output at the outlet compared to no feedback loop. This disclosure further provides a mist generation system which includes a mist source and the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist. Similarly, such mist generation system is also capable of effectively separating large particles and small particles within a same misty airflow.
[0020] We do not know why it is so. It is probably due to the curved misty airflow created by the curvature nozzle produces a centrifugal spinning effect that causes a big portion of the large particles in the misty airflow to migrate very near to an inner wall of the curvature nozzle and subsequently sucked into the feedback loop. Such phenomenon leads to the reduction of large particles, while maintaining the high percentage of small particles that exit at the outlet. In other words, there is a separation process going on in the curved misty airflow with a bigger portion of the large particles being centrifugally separated from the smaller particles. Such separated bigger portion of large particles subsequently enter the feedback loop thereby leaving less percentage of the large particles in the main misty airflow to exit at the outlet of the curvature nozzle.Description of Drawings
[0021] The disclosure is further illustrated combining the embodiments and drawings attached.
[0022] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to another embodiment of this disclosure.
[0024] Figs. 3A-3B show a comparison of useful particle size which are obtained by prior art and the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist according to an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0025] Fig. 4 is a structure diagram for a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0026] Fig. 5 is a structure diagram of the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist shown in Fig.4, from another angle.
[0027] Fig. 6 is a structure diagram of the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist shown in Fig.4, from another further angle.
[0028] Fig.7 is a structure diagram on particle sizes controller, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0029] Fig. 8 is a structure diagram of the particle size controller shown in Fig.7, from another angle.
[0030] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to another further embodiment of this disclosure.
[0031] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a mist generation system, according to another further embodiment of this disclosure.Best Mode
[0032] To make the objective, the technical solution, and the advantage of the disclosure more clearly, the disclosure is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used to explain the disclosure and are not intended to the disclosure. It should be noted that when an object is mentioned as being "assembled" or "arranged" and or “provided” on another object, it can be directly on another object or it may be indirectly assembled, arranged or provided on another object through a third object. When an object is mentioned as being "connected" with another object, it may be directly assembled with another object or it may be indirectly assembled to another object through a third object and the air flow can be transferred from one object to another object. It should be noted that the technical terms, such as “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, indicating the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the attached drawings. They are just for the description convenience and simplifying, rather than indicating or implying that the device or piece referred to must have the specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in the specific orientation, and cannot be understood as the limitation of the disclosure. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features. In the description of the disclosure, “a plurality of” means two or more, unless otherwise is specifically defined.
[0033] The disclosure has disclosed a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist is provided, which includes a main body which is provided with an inlet, a curvature nozzle which is arranged at the main body and provided with an outlet, and a suction fan which is arranged inside the main body for sucking a misty airflow from the inlet and outputting the misty airflow from the outlet, wherein a separation plate is provided inside the curvature nozzle, which separates the curvature nozzle into two different curvature airflow channels, so as to enable the misty airflow with a large particle size to be redirected back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop and leaves the misty airflow with a small particle size to be outputted from the outlet. The control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist is capable of separating large particles and small particles within the same misty airflow inside the curvature nozzle. It was surprisingly discovered that by redirecting a portion of the misty airflow back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop, abundant portion of the large particles in the misty airflow are cut down and a great portion of the small particles are left and outputted from the outlet. This feedback loop design provides a means to effectively produce a high percentage of smaller particle mist output at the outlet compared to no feedback loop.
[0034] Fig.1 is a diagram showing a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, which indicates a generation process of a feedback loop of a misty airflow according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Fig.1, a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist is provided, which includes a main body 110 which is provided with an inlet 120, a curvature nozzle 130 which is arranged at the main body 110 and provided with an outlet 140, and a suction fan 150 which is arranged inside the main body 110 for sucking a misty airflow (labelled by arrows) from the inlet 120 and outputting the misty airflow from the outlet 140. As shown in Fig.1, the curvature nozzle 130 is provided inside with a separation plate 170, which separates the curvature nozzle 130 into two different curvature airflow channels 161 and 162, so as to enable the misty airflow with a large particle size to be redirected back to the suction fan 150 in forming a feedback loop and leaves the misty airflow with a small particle size to be outputted from the outlet 140.
[0035] As shown in Fig.1, the curvature nozzle 130 has a curved cross profile, the separation plate 170 is a curved plate which is arranged along the curvature nozzle 130. The separation plate 170 has a similar shape as that of the curvature nozzle 130 and forms two curvature airflow channels 161 and 162 inside the curvature nozzle 130, such that the misty airflow, which is sucked by the suction fan 150 and transferred to the outlet 140 at the curvature nozzle 130, is separated into two misty airflows, one misty airflow which is farther way from an inner wall of the curvature nozzle 130 is transferred directly to the outlet 140 along the curvature airflow channel 162, while the other misty airflow which is close to the inner wall of the curvature nozzle 130 is redirected back to the suction fan 150 in forming a feedback loop in the curvature airflow channel 161. It was surprisingly discovered the misty airflow which is farther way from the inner wall of the curvature nozzle 130 is the misty airflow with the small particle sizes, while the misty airflow which is close to the inner wall of the curvature nozzle 130 is the misty airflow with the large particle size. Therefore, by such specific arrangement, the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist is capable of separating large particles and small particles within the same misty airflow inside the curvature nozzle.
[0036] In a preferable embodiments, the misty airflow with the large particle sizes normally refers to a misty airflow with particle sizes which are equal to or larger than 5 microns. Meanwhile, the misty airflow with the small particle sizes normally refers to a misty airflow with particle sizes which are smaller than 5 microns, such as 0.3 micron, 0.5 micron, 0.7 micron, 1 micron, or 2 microns. Of course, in other embodiments, the specific definition of large and small can be determined according to actual requirements of specific applications.
[0037] It was surprisingly discovered that by redirecting a portion of the misty airflow back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop, abundant portion of the large particles in the misty airflow are cut down and a great portion of the small particles are left and outputted from the outlet. This feedback loop design provides a means to effectively produce a high percentage of smaller particle mist output at the outlet compared to no feedback loop. It is probably due to the curved misty airflow created by the curvature nozzle produces a centrifugal spinning effect that causes a big portion of the large particles in the misty airflow to migrate very near to the inner wall of the curvature nozzle and subsequently sucked into the feedback loop. Such phenomenon leads to the reduction of large particles, while maintaining the high percentage of small particles that exit at the outlet. In other words, there is a separation process going on in the curved misty airflow with a bigger portion of the large particles being centrifugally separated from the smaller particles. Such separated bigger portion of large particles subsequently enter the feedback loop thereby leaving less percentage of the large particles in the main misty airflow to exit at the outlet of the curvature nozzle.
[0038] In the present application, the main body 110 and the curvature nozzle 130 can employ any suitable shapes. The curvature nozzle 130 can employ any curvature as if it is capable of separating the misty airflow with the large particles size and the misty airflow with the small particle sizes. In a preferable embodiment, as shown in Fig.1, the curvature nozzle 130 includes a curvature portion 131 and a tapered nozzle portion 132, wherein the curvature portion 131 is arranged at a top wall of the main body 110 and the tapered nozzle portion 132 is assembled at the curvature portion 131. As shown in Fig.1, the curvature portion 131 has a curvature which is larger than that of the tapered nozzle portion 132, such that the misty airflow are separated at an convergence portion between the curvature portion 131 and the tapered nozzle portion 132. In this embodiment, the separation plate 170 is a curved plate which is arranged along and spaced from the curvature portion 131, so as to and forms two curvature airflow channels 161 and 162 inside the curvature portion 131. Similarly, the separation plate 170 has a similar shape as that of the curvature portion 131.
[0039] Similarly, it was surprisingly discovered that by redirecting a portion of the misty airflow back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop, abundant portion of the large particles in the misty airflow are cut down and a great portion of the small particles are left and outputted from the outlet. This feedback loop design provides a means to effectively produce a high percentage of smaller particle mist output at the outlet compared to no feedback loop.
[0040] Fig. 1 further discloses a mist generation system, which includes the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist discussed above and a mist source 300. The mist source 300 can be any mist generator which is available on the market, or as any nebulization or humidification mist generator or storage device which are available. Depends on different applications, the misty airflow can be airflow with liquid drugs or airflow with any suitable liquid.
[0041] Fig.2 is a diagram showing a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to another embodiment of this disclosure. The control device shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that shown in Fig.1, with a specific design of the curvature nozzle 130. For concise, Fig.2 just shows the specific design of the opening and particle size controller, and the other portion of the control device may refer to other Figures, such as Fig.1.
[0042] As shown in Fig.2 the curvature nozzle 130 includes a curvature portion 131 and a tapered nozzle portion 132, wherein the curvature portion 131 is arranged at a top wall of the main body 110 and the tapered nozzle portion 132 is assembled at the curvature portion 131. In this embodiment, the separation plate 170 is a curved plate which is arranged along and spaced from the curvature portion 131, so as to and forms two curvature airflow channels 161 and 162 inside the curvature portion 131. The curvature portion 131 is provided with an opening 133 which allows the misty airflow with the large particle size to escape from the opening 133, wherein a particle size controller 200 is inserted into the opening 133, so as to redirect the escaped misty airflow with the large particle size back to the suction fan 150 to form the feedback loop in the curvature airflow channel 161, the outlet 140 is arranged at the tapered nozzle portion 132 for outputting the misty airflow with the small particle size in the curvature airflow channel 162. In this embodiment, similar as in Fig. 1, the curvature portion 131 has a curvature which is larger than that of the tapered nozzle portion 132, and the opening 133 is arranged at the curvature portion 131, and the particle size controller 200 is inserted into the opening 133, such that the curvature airflow channel 161 is formed along the inner profiles of the curvature portion 131 and then blocked by the particle size controller 200, shown in Fig.2.
[0043] As shown in Fig.2, the curvature portion 131 has a curvature which is larger than the tapered nozzle portion 132, and the opening 133 is just arranged at an convergence portion between the curvature portion 131 and the tapered nozzle portion 132. In a preferable embodiment, the particle size controller 200 is a flat piece which matches with the opening 133. In a further preferable embodiment, the particle size controller 200 is a flat piece with two flexible arms which match with the opening 133. Moreover, the insertion depth of the particle size controller 200 can be linked and synchronized with a speed of the suction fan 150 to deliver a designated volume of the misty airflow at a designated output rate.
[0044] It was surprisingly discovered that by creating an opening 133 at the convergence portion between the curvature portion 131 and the tapered nozzle portion 132 of the curvature nozzle 130 and inserting the particle size controller 200 into the opening 133, the misty airflow escaped through such opening 133 is re-directed back to the suction fan via the curvature airflow channel 161 that follows the contour of a convex surface of the curvature nozzle as illustrated, it unexpectedly cuts down a big portion of the large particles in the misty airflow and leaves a greater portion of the small particles that exist at the outlet 140 of the curvature nozzle 130. In other words, the opening 133 created at the convergence portion between the curvature portion 131 and the tapered nozzle portion 132 of the curvature nozzle 130, the separate plate 170, and the particle size controller 200 inserted into the opening 133, have resulted in the formation of an add-on feedback loop that carries a bigger portion of the large particles in the misty airflow and travel back to the suction fan due to the continuous negative pressure created by the suction fan. This feedback loop design provides a means to effectively produce a high percentage of smaller particle mist output at the outlet compared to no feedback loop. It is probably due to the curved airflows created by the curvature nozzle produces a centrifugal spinning effect that causes a big portion of the large particles in the misty airflow to migrate very near to the inner wall of the curvature nozzle and subsequently sucked into the feedback loop. Such phenomenon leads to the reduction of large particles, while maintaining the high percentage of small particles that exit at the outlet. In other words, there is a separation process going on in the curvature misty airflow with a bigger portion of the large particles being centrifugally separated from the smaller particles. Such separated bigger portion of large particles subsequently enter the feedback loop thereby leaving less percentage of the large particles in the main misty airflow to exit at the outlet.
[0045] In the embodiment shown in Fig.2, a small gap is made with the insertion of the particle size controller 200 into the opening 133. The particle size controller 200 is located at the divergence space area where the misty airflow is divided into two misty airflows. One misty airflow is originated from the main misty airflow and another misty airflow is the off-shoot from the main misty airflow that travel into the feedback airflow loop. Accordingly, the particle size controller, acts as an air-flow controller that divides the amount of mist airflow that to be travelled towards the outlet 140 of the curvature nozzle 130 and the amount of mist airflow that is diverted into the feedback loop.
[0046] Optionally, the particle size controller 200 can be linked and synchronized with the speed of the suction fan 150 to deliver a designated volume of the misty airflow at a designated output rate, so as to precisely control the exact amount of the misty airflow required by the end-users for more specific applications.
[0047] Fig. 3 shows a comparison of useful particle size which are obtained by prior art and the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Fig.3A shows the particle sizes of nebulization mist which is generated by a mist generator and measure by an air particle counter (such as HHPC-6, Made in USA by Beckman Coulter), Fig.3B shows the particle sizes of nebulization mist which is generated by the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist connected with the mist generator for receiving the misty airflow from the inlet and outputting the misty airflow from the outlet and then measure by the air particle counter (such as HHPC-6, Made in USA by Beckman Coulter). Comparing with the mist generator in prior art, the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist has reduced 40% of the large 5-micron sized particles. No matter the percentage or absolute value of the large 5-micron sized particles are greatly reduced, with 9.8% compared to 6.06% and 297584 compared to 116821. Accordingly, the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist according to the present disclosure has provided a means to effectively produce a high percentage of smaller particle mist output at the outlet, thus cutting down the risk of possible side effects such as the disorders of the voice, yeast infection of the mouth, and stimulating-triggering cough receptors in the human body, substantially improving the overall health and safety of the patients.
[0048] Fig. 4 is a structure diagram for a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figs. 5 and 6 are structure diagrams of the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist shown in Fig.4, from other angles. In order to make the structure of the control device clearer, suction fan and battery for the suction fan are removed, and the separation plate is not shown.
[0049] As shown in Figs.4-6, the control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist includes a main body 10 which is provided with an inlet 20, a curvature nozzle 30 which is arranged at the main body 10 and provided with an outlet 40, and a suction fan 50 which is arranged inside the main body 10 for sucking a misty airflow from the inlet 20 and outputting the misty airflow from the outlet 40. As shown in Figs. 4-6, the main body 10 and the curvature nozzle 30 both have specific arrangements, which facilitate industry production and improves misty airflow separation efficiency.
[0050] As shown in Fig. 5, the main body 10 includes a fan chamber 11 for assembling the suction fan 50 and an battery chamber 12 for assembling battery 51 for the suction fan 50, wherein the fan chamber 11 and the battery chamber 12 are separated by a plate 13 to form two separated sealed chambers. The battery 51 can be any dry-cell battery which can be easily replaced or a chargeable battery. Of course, if a button cell is employed or the suction fan is power supplied by the main power, such battery chamber 12 and battery 51 can be omitted.
[0051] The fan chamber 11 is provided with a support plate 14 for assembling the suction fan 50. For example, referring Figs. 5-6, the main body 10 is a hollow cuboid, and the inlet 20 is provided at a side wall 15 of the main body 10 and connects the fan chamber 11, wherein the suction fan 50 is arranged directly opposite to the inlet 20 for sucking the misty airflow from the inlet 20. A connector 21 is arranged at an outer surface of the side wall 15 of the main body 10 , so as to form the inlet 20 and receive the misty airflow. The misty airflow can be from a mist generator. Of course, the mist generator can be any mist generator which is available on the market. The misty airflow can also from other mist source, such as any nebulization or humidification mist generator or storage device which are available.
[0052] As shown in Figs. 5-6, the curvature nozzle 30 includes a first curvature portion 31 which is arranged at the top wall 16 of the main body 10 and extends upward, and a second curvature portion 32 which extends horizontally from the first curvature portion 31, and a tapered nozzle portion 33 which is assembled at the second curvature portion 32. A V-shape connection portion 34 is formed between the first curvature portion 31 and the second curvature portion 32. In this embodiment, the separation plate 170 is a curved plate which is arranged along and spaced from the first curvature portion 31. An opening 35 is arranged at a bottom of the V-shape connection portion 34. The opening 35 extends along a width direction of the V-shape connection portion 34, and allows a misty airflow with large particle size to escape from the opening 35. A particle size controller, such as a plate, is inserted into the opening 35, so as to redirect the escaped misty airflow with the large particle size back to the suction fan 50 in forming a feedback loop, the outlet 40 is arranged at the tapered nozzle portion 33 for outputting the misty airflow with a small particle size. The principle and flow path of the misty airflow in the present embodiment may refer to Figs. 1-2, and not repeated herein for concise.
[0053] In a more preferable embodiment, the particle size controller, may have a specific design such as shown in Figs. 7-8. Fig.7 is a structure diagram on particle sizes controller, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Fig. 8 is a structure diagram of the particle size controller shown in Fig.7, from another angle.
[0054] As shown in Figs.7-8, the particle size controller 200 includes a first horizontal portion 210, a second horizontal portion 220, and a vertical portion 230 with one end connecting with a middle of the first horizontal portion 210 and one end connecting with a middle of the second horizontal portion 220. Both ends of the second horizontal portion 220 are respectively provided with one flexible arm 240, 250. As shown in Figs. 7-8, the first horizontal portion 210, the second horizontal portion 220, and the vertical portion 230, together form a letter “I”. The flexible arms 240, 250 are respectively provided with two protrusions 260, 270 which extends away from the vertical portion 230 for adjusting an insertion depth of the particle size controller 200.
[0055] As shown in Figs. 7-8, the first horizontal portion 210, the second horizontal portion 220, and the vertical portion 230 respectively have a certain thickness which matches with the opening 35 for inserting into the opening 35. The two protrusions 260, 270 can have different widths which matches the width of the opening 35. The insertion depth of the particle size controller can be adjusted by the protrusions 260, 270, such that the gap formed between the opening 35 and the particle size controller 200 is manually adjustable at the flexible arms 240, 250 to provide options to the end-users to choose how deep is the insertion which determines the desirable sizes of the gap. More preferably, the insertion depth of the particle size controller 200 is linked and synchronized with a speed of the suction fan 50 to deliver a designated volume of the misty airflow at a designated output rate. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4-8, a small gap is made with the insertion of the particle size controller 200 into the opening 35. The particle size controller 200 is located at the divergence space area where the misty airflow is divided into two misty airflows. One misty airflow is originated from the main misty airflow and another misty airflow is the off-shoot from the main misty airflow that travel into the feedback airflow loop. Accordingly, the particle size controller, acts as an air-flow controller that divides the amount of mist airflow that to be travelled towards the outlet 40 of the curvature nozzle 30 and the amount of mist airflow that is diverted into the feedback loop.
[0056] It was surprisingly discovered that by creating the opening 35 at the V-shape connection portion 34 formed between the first curvature portion 31 and the second curvature portion 32, and inserting the particle size controller 200 into the opening 35, the misty airflow escaped through such opening 35 is re-directed back to the suction fan 50 via the curvature airflow channel that follows the contour of the curvature portion 31 and second curvature portion as illustrated, it unexpectedly cuts down a big portion of the large particles in the misty airflow and leaves a greater portion of the small particles that exist at the outlet 40 of the curvature nozzle 30. The principle and flow path of the misty airflow in the present embodiment may refer to Figs. 1-2, and not repeated herein for concise.
[0057] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, according to another further embodiment of this disclosure. This embodiment shows a specific design for the separation plate. The other components of the control device shown in Fig.9 may be similar to those in Figs. 5-6, the separation plate 170 is a curved plate which is arranged along and spaced from the first curvature portion 31 and perforated with holes. Optionally, the separation plate 170 is detachable. The separation plates 170 perforated with holes of different sizes can be arranged when necessary to achieve different application objectives for different drugs or nebulization liquid of different viscosity used.
[0058] This separation plate 170 perforated with holes is to facilitate the drain back of the liquid accumulated by the big droplets on the separation plate 170 (due to centrifugal spinning) quickly and effectively through the perforated holes aided by the forward air flow direction in the main stream and the backward flow direction in the feedback loop that resulted in the wastage reduction and enhancing more complete drug delivery to the patients.
[0059] In a further embodiments of this disclosure, a mist generation system is disclosed, which includes a mist source and a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist discussed above. As discussed before the mist source 300 can be any mist generator which is available on the market, or as any nebulization or humidification mist generator or storage device which are available. The control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist can adopt any design discussed before, and is not further discussed herein.
[0060] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a mist generation system, according to another further embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Fig.10, the mist generation system, comprises a mist source 300 and a first control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist 510, and a second control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist 520, wherein the two control devices 510 and 520 are arranged in a cascaded arrangement, so as to achieve further reduction on the bigger particle for more specialize application. As shown in Fig. 10, an inlet of the control device 510 is connected with the mist source 300 and the outlet of the control device 510 is connected with the inlet of the control device 520, and the control device 520 outputs the misty airflow from its outlet 140. The specific structure of two control devices 510 and 520 can be constructed according to the embodiments discussed above, and their operation principle can also refer to the embodiments discussed above, and is not further discussed herein. Such cascaded arrangement goes through two times of bigger particle reduction and can generate mist airflow with greater portion of the small particles. Of course, in further embodiments of this disclosure, depending on the specific application, three or more control devices can be arranged in such cascaded arrangement, so as to achieve further reduction on the bigger particle for more specialize application.
[0061] The foregoing is a further detailed description of the disclosure in connection with specific preferred embodiments, and cannot be considered as that the specific implementation of the disclosure is limited to these illustrations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any various modifications or substitutions may be made to the disclosure without departing from the spirit of the invention, and such modifications or substitutions should be considered as falling within the scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1.A control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist comprising a main body which is provided with an inlet, a curvature nozzle which is arranged at the main body and provided with an outlet, and a suction fan which is arranged inside the main body for sucking a misty airflow from the inlet and outputting the misty airflow from the outlet, wherein a separation plate is provided inside the curvature nozzle, which separates the curvature nozzle into two different curvature airflow channels, so as to enable the misty airflow with a large particle size to be redirected back to the suction fan in forming a feedback loop and leaves the misty airflow with a small particle size to be outputted from the outlet.2.The control device according to claim 1, wherein the curvature nozzle comprises a curvature portion and a tapered nozzle portion, the separation plate is a curved plate which is arranged along and spaced from the curvature portion, wherein the curvature portion is arranged at a top wall of the main body and the tapered nozzle portion is assembled at the curvature portion, wherein the curvature portion is provided with an opening which allows the misty airflow with the large particle size to escape from the opening, wherein a particle size controller is inserted into the opening, so as to redirect the escaped misty airflow with the large particle size back to the suction fan to form the feedback loop, the outlet is arranged at the tapered nozzle portion for outputting the misty airflow with the small particle size.3.The control device according to claim 2, wherein the curvature portion comprises a first curvature portion which is arranged at the top wall of the main body and extends upward, and a second curvature portion which extends horizontally from the first curvature portion; wherein a V-shape connection portion is formed between the first curvature portion and the second curvature portion, and the opening is arranged at a bottom of the V-shape connection portion.4.The control device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the particle size controller is a flat piece which matches with the opening; or the particle size controller is a flat piece with two flexible arms which match with the opening.5.The control device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the particle size controller comprises a first horizontal portion, a second horizontal portion, and a vertical portion with one end connecting with a middle of the first horizontal portion and one end connecting with a middle of the second horizontal portion, wherein both ends of the second horizontal portion are respectively provided with one flexible arm.6.The control device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible arm is provided with one or more protrusions which extend away from the vertical portion for adjusting an insertion depth of the particle size controller.7.The control device according to claim 6, wherein the insertion depth of the particle size controller is linked and synchronized with a speed of the suction fan to deliver a designated volume of the misty airflow at a designated output rate.8.The control device according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the main body comprises a fan chamber for assembling the suction fan, and a battery chamber for assembling battery for the suction fan; the inlet is provided at a side wall of the main body and connects the fan chamber, wherein the suction fan is arranged directly opposite to the inlet for sucking the misty airflow from the inlet and outputting the misty airflow upward to the outlet of the curvature nozzle; a connector is arranged at an outer surface of the side wall of the main body so as to form the inlet and receive the misty airflow.9.The control device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the separation plate is detachable and is provided with holes.10.A mist generation system, comprising a mist source and a control device on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist according to any one of claims 1-9.11.The mist generation system according to claim 10, wherein comprising at least two control devices on particle sizes of nebulization or humidification mist, which are connected in a cascaded arrangement.12.The mist generation system according to claim 11, wherein the inlet of a first control device is connected with the mist source and the outlet of the first control device is connected with the inlet of the second control device, and the second control device outputs the misty airflow from its outlet.
Citation Information
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