Movable high-altitude environment creation apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a movable high-altitude environment creation apparatus capable of artificially controlling and providing an environment such as that of a high-altitude site, comprising: a main body manufactured to be movable; an intake unit provided at the main body so as to suction external air into the main body; an oxygen regulation unit provided in the main body so as to regulate the oxygen of the air supplied by means of the intake unit; a connection unit for supplying, to an external device, the air regulated by the oxygen regulation unit while connecting the main body and the external device; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the intake unit and the oxygen regulation unit.

Description

Mobile high-altitude environment creation device

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile high-altitude environment creation device, and more specifically, to a mobile high-altitude environment creation device that can artificially control and provide an environment similar to a highland to humans or animals.

[0002] In recent years, as we enter an aging society, interest in the health of not only people but also companion animals such as dogs and cats has increased.

[0003] For example, obesity is increasing in both humans and pets due to lack of exercise, and as diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer are on the rise, interest in health management to prevent these is growing.

[0004] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0100815 discloses a technology for a device that controls the biological information of an animal by measuring the animal's blood sugar level, calorie consumption, etc.

[0005]

[0006] *This conventional technology can efficiently implement food supply to animals by more accurately detecting the appetite status of animals through analysis of their bio-signals.

[0007] However, the above conventional technology can only measure the condition of a companion animal, and has limitations in that it cannot provide an environment that can promote the health of companion animals or prevent diseases such as obesity in companion animals.

[0008] Meanwhile, as another prior art, there is a high-altitude training system and method disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1732777.

[0009] The above prior art is a technology that can improve exercise performance and increase metabolism by providing users with environmental conditions similar to those at high altitudes.

[0010] However, the above prior art has the problem that it is difficult to use because it has a complex configuration and is installed in a fixed manner.

[0011] Therefore, a new technology that can improve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology is required.

[0012] Prior art documents in the technical field to which the present invention belongs include Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0100815 and Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1732777.

[0013] The present invention was created to improve the problems of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is to provide a mobile high-altitude environment creation device that can prevent diseases such as obesity by improving the cardiopulmonary function of humans or pets by artificially providing a low-oxygen environment such as a high-altitude environment with low oxygen concentration.

[0014] In addition, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile high-altitude environment creation device that can be conveniently used as needed by connecting a body manufactured to be movable to an external device.

[0015] In addition, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile high-altitude environment creation device that can create a low-oxygen environment such as a high-altitude environment by supplying nitrogen to the external air being inhaled.

[0016] In addition, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile high-altitude environment creation device that can be used by connecting to a chamber that accommodates a person or an animal or by connecting to a mask worn on a person's respiratory system.

[0017] In addition, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile high-altitude environment creation device that can artificially control the day and night cycle together with the oxygen concentration in high-altitude areas by controlling the amount of light transmitted into the chamber.

[0018] The technical problems that can be achieved from the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other technical problems that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the disclosed embodiments belong from the description below.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described purpose, a mobile high-altitude environment creation device may include: a main body manufactured to be movable; an intake unit installed in the main body to intake outside air into the main body; an oxygen control unit installed in the main body to regulate oxygen in air supplied by the intake unit; a connection unit connecting the main body and an external device and supplying air regulated by the oxygen control unit to the external device; and a control unit controlling the operation of the intake unit and the oxygen control unit.

[0020] In addition, the oxygen control unit may be configured to include a nitrogen generator that supplies and mixes nitrogen with the air supplied to the intake unit while operating under the control of the control unit.

[0021] In addition, the oxygen control unit further includes an oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen concentration of air supplied by the intake unit and provides the measured oxygen concentration to the control unit, and the control unit can control the operation of the nitrogen supply unit based on the oxygen concentration applied from the oxygen sensor.

[0022] In addition, the external device may be configured to include a chamber formed in a body shape with an openable door for accommodating a person or an animal, detachably connected to the connection unit and supplied with air regulated by the oxygen control unit; or a mask detachably connected to the connection unit while being replaced with the chamber and worn on the face as a respirator and supplied with air regulated by the oxygen control unit.

[0023] In addition, the chamber may further include a viewing window formed in at least a portion thereof to allow viewing of the internal space; and an illumination control unit installed in the viewing window and operated by the control unit to control the amount of light transmitted through the viewing window.

[0024] According to a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, by controlling and supplying the oxygen concentration of the air taken in through an oxygen control unit, a hypoxic environment with low oxygen concentration, such as a high-altitude area, can be artificially provided, and accordingly, the cardiopulmonary function of a person or a companion animal can be improved, thereby having the effect of preventing diseases such as obesity or cardiovascular disease.

[0025] In addition, the present invention can form a low-oxygen environment such as a high-altitude environment by supplying nitrogen to the air through a nitrogen generator constituting an oxygen control unit, and when an oxygen sensor is provided, the oxygen concentration of the air can be controlled more accurately.

[0026] In addition, the present invention can be used by connecting the main body to an external device through a connection unit, so that it can be used conveniently as needed, and since the external device is configured as a chamber or mask, it has the advantage of being easily usable for people or pets.

[0027] In addition, the present invention can provide a hypoxic environment while accommodating a person or an animal through a chamber constituting an external device, and can directly provide a hypoxic environment through a person's respiratory system by providing air with controlled oxygen concentration through a mask constituting an external device.

[0028] In addition, the present invention can adjust the amount of light transmitted through the viewing window through the viewing window and the light control unit provided in the chamber, thereby artificially controlling the day and night environment along with the oxygen concentration, such as in a high altitude.

[0029] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figures 4 and 5 are drawings showing an external device to which a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be assigned the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles.

[0035] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0036] Additionally, terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0037] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0038] In this description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and terms such as "comprises" or "have" should be understood to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing external devices to which a mobile high-altitude environment creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected.

[0040] A mobile high-altitude environment creation device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that can prevent diseases such as obesity by artificially providing a low-oxygen environment such as a high-altitude area, thereby improving the cardiopulmonary function of a person or a companion animal.

[0041] Specifically, a mobile high-altitude environment creation device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a main body (100), an intake unit (200), an oxygen control unit (300), a connection unit (400), and a control unit (500) as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0042] The above main body (100) is a component that is manufactured to be movable and provides an installation site for the components described below.

[0043] Specifically, the main body (100) is manufactured as a sealed body-type structure to provide installation space for an intake unit (200), an oxygen control unit (300), a connection unit (400), and a control unit (500).

[0044] This main body (100) is manufactured in a size that allows it to be carried by a user, and can also be moved by pushing it using casters (not shown) provided on the bottom.

[0045] Additionally, the main body (100) may be equipped with a handle (not shown) for carrying.

[0046] Here, the main body (100) can form a mixing path through a space formed inside so that air supplied from the intake unit (200) can be mixed with nitrogen supplied from the oxygen control unit (300) and then discharged to the connection unit (400).

[0047] The above intake unit (200) is a component for intake and supplying external air into the internal space of the main body (100).

[0048] Specifically, the intake unit (200) may be configured to include an outside air inlet (210) and a blower fan (220) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0049] The outside air inlet (210) can be formed on the wall of the main body (100) to provide a path for outside air to communicate.

[0050] The blower fan (220) is installed in the outside air inlet (210) and operates by the control unit (500) described later to allow outside air to flow into the mixing path formed in the internal space of the main body (100).

[0051] Here, the blower fan (220) can control the intake flow rate of outside air by controlling the rotation speed by the control unit (500).

[0052] Meanwhile, a replaceable filter element capable of filtering foreign substances in the incoming air can be installed in the outside air inlet (210).

[0053] Here, the filter element can be any configuration that filters foreign substances in the incoming air, such as a HEPA filter, a medium filter, or a pre-filter.

[0054] The above oxygen control unit (300) is a component for supplying air with a low oxygen concentration, such as at high altitudes, by controlling the oxygen concentration of the air supplied by the intake unit (200).

[0055] Specifically, the oxygen control unit (300) may be configured to include a nitrogen generator (310) that is installed in the internal space of the main body (100) and supplies nitrogen to the air taken in by the intake unit (200) to mix the nitrogen, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration in the air.

[0056] This nitrogen generator (310) operates under the control of the control unit (500) described below and supplies nitrogen to the internal space of the main body (100), i.e., the mixing passage formed in the internal space of the main body (100), thereby reducing the oxygen concentration of the external air introduced into the mixing passage of the main body (100).

[0057] For example, the nitrogen generator (310) may be configured to supply nitrogen filled in a nitrogen tank, or alternatively, may be configured to supply nitrogen generated by separating oxygen from compressed air. In addition, any configuration capable of supplying nitrogen known in the art to which the present invention pertains may be applied to the nitrogen generator (310).

[0058] Meanwhile, the oxygen control unit (300) may be configured to further include an oxygen sensor (320) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0059] The oxygen sensor (320) is installed in a mixing passage formed in the internal space of the main body (100) and can measure the oxygen concentration in the air taken in by the intake unit (200) and supply it to the control unit (500).

[0060] Accordingly, the control unit (500) can more accurately control the oxygen concentration corresponding to high altitudes by controlling the operation of the nitrogen supply unit (310) based on the oxygen concentration applied from the oxygen sensor (320).

[0061] The above connection unit (400) is a component formed on the wall surface of the main body (100) to connect the main body (100) and the external device (600) while supplying the air of the mixed flow path formed in the internal space of the main body (100) to the external device (600).

[0062] This connection unit (400) is formed in the form of a hose that communicates with the internal space of the main body (100) and is detachably connected to an external device (600), thereby supplying air whose oxygen concentration is controlled by the oxygen control unit (300) to the external device (600).

[0063] Here, the connection unit (400) can supply air to the external device (600) through the intake pressure by the blower fan (220) constituting the intake unit (200), and alternatively, a separate exhaust fan can be installed to forcibly discharge air in the internal space of the main body (100) to the external device (600).

[0064] Additionally, the connection unit (400) can supply air to an external device (600) at a uniform pressure by installing an unillustrated regulator.

[0065] The above control unit (500) controls the power supply and operation of the aforementioned intake unit (200), oxygen control unit (300), and connection unit (400), and may include a processor such as a CPU or GPU as a component that controls the power supply and operation of the components described below. In addition, it may execute a program stored in memory, read a file stored in memory, or store a new file in memory.

[0066] The control unit (500) can access and use data stored in the memory, or store new data in the memory. In addition, the control unit (500) can execute a program installed in the memory.

[0067] For example, the memory may store a program for supplying nitrogen by controlling the nitrogen generator (310) according to the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen sensor (320).

[0068] This control unit (500) can set the oxygen concentration through user input, and can operate the nitrogen generator (310) based on data measured by the oxygen sensor (320) until the oxygen concentration in the receiving space reaches the set oxygen concentration.

[0069] Additionally, the control unit (500) can have a built-in timer to operate the nitrogen generator (310) for a set period of time.

[0070] Meanwhile, the external device (600) connected to the main body (100) through the connection unit (400) may be configured as a chamber (610) as shown in FIG. 4 or may include a mask (620) as shown in FIG. 5.

[0071] The above chamber (610) is formed in a body shape in which a sealable receiving space is formed so as to be able to receive a person or an animal, and an openable door (611) is provided, so as to be able to receive a person or an animal.

[0072] These chambers (610) are detachably connected to the connection unit (400) and supply air regulated by the oxygen control unit (300) to the receiving space, thereby providing a high-altitude environment by supplying low-concentration oxygen, similar to that in high altitudes, to people or animals accommodated in the receiving space.

[0073] For example, the chamber (610) is formed in the shape of a tent made of a flexible material such as a fiber material or a film material, and can be folded for storage, and then unfolded into a container shape for use and connected to a connection unit (400).

[0074] In contrast, the chamber (610) is manufactured in the form of a body made of a rigid material such as a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate, so that people or animals can enter and exit through the door (611).

[0075] Meanwhile, the chamber (610) may be made of an opaque material and may have a viewing window (612) formed therein to allow viewing of the internal space at least in part.

[0076] At this time, a light control unit (615) that operates by the control unit (500) and controls the amount of light transmitted through the viewing window (612) may be installed in the viewing window (612).

[0077] The light control unit (615) is a component for artificially controlling the day and night environment by controlling the amount of light transmitted into the receiving space of the chamber (610) through the viewing window (612).

[0078] For example, the light control unit (615) may be configured as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film whose transparency can be adjusted according to the strength of power or voltage when installed in the viewing window (610), and the transparency can be adjusted according to the strength of power or voltage applied by the control unit (500).

[0079] Accordingly, the chamber (610) can create an environment similar to a high altitude through low-oxygen concentration air supplied through the connection unit (400), while providing an environment similar to a nighttime environment even during the day through the operation of the light control unit (615).

[0080] In addition, the chamber (610) may be equipped with a separate lighting device, and a temperature control device such as a heater may be installed to operate under the control of the control unit (500) so that the temperature of the receiving space can be adjusted to a set temperature.

[0081] Additionally, the chamber (610) may be equipped with a separate exhaust pump (not shown) operated by the control unit (500) to exhaust the air in the receiving space to the outside.

[0082] At this time, the control unit (500) may control the pressure of the receiving space by operating the exhaust pump based on the flow rate of low-oxygen concentration air flowing into the receiving space through the connection unit (400).

[0083] For example, the control unit (500) can create a low pressure in the receiving space, such as at a high altitude, by operating the exhaust pump so that the exhaust flow rate is greater than the intake flow rate.

[0084] Here, the control unit (500) can set the internal pressure of the receiving space through user input, and operate the exhaust pump based on data measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) installed in the chamber (610) until the internal pressure of the receiving space reaches the set pressure.

[0085] Meanwhile, the external device (600) may be configured as a mask (620) as shown in FIG. 5.

[0086] The mask (620) is detachably connected to the connection unit (400) when replaced with the chamber (610), and can be worn on the respiratory organ of a human or animal face to supply air regulated by the oxygen regulating unit (300) to the respiratory organ.

[0087] That is, the mask (620) can provide an environment similar to that in a high altitude by directly supplying low-oxygen concentration air supplied to the connection unit (400) to the respiratory organs of a human or animal.

[0088] Such a mask (620) may be provided with a fastening band so that it can be secured to the face while containing the respirator.

[0089] As described above, the mobile high-altitude environment creation device (10) according to the present invention can artificially provide a low-oxygen environment, such as a high-altitude area, by controlling and supplying the oxygen concentration of the air taken in through the oxygen control unit (300), thereby improving the cardiopulmonary function of a person or a companion animal, thereby providing the effect of preventing diseases such as obesity or cardiovascular disease.

[0090] The embodiments described above are provided for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the embodiments described above can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical concepts or essential characteristics of the embodiments described above. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, components described as being single may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as being distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0091] The scope of protection sought through this specification is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and should be interpreted to include all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts.

[0092] * Explanation of symbols *

[0093] 10: Mobile high-altitude environment creation device 100: Main body

[0094] 110: Caster 200: Intake Unit

[0095] 210: Outdoor air inlet 220: Blower fan

[0096] 300: Oxygen control unit 310: Nitrogen generator

[0097] 320: Oxygen sensor 400: Connection unit

[0098] 500: Control unit 600: External device

[0099] 610: Chamber 611: Door

[0100] 612: Viewing window 615: Light control unit

[0101] 620: Mask

Claims

1. A body that is manufactured to be movable; An intake unit installed in the above body and sucking outside air into the above body; An oxygen control unit installed in the above body to control the oxygen of the air supplied by the intake unit; A connection unit that connects the main body and an external device and supplies air regulated by the oxygen control unit to the external device; and A mobile high-altitude environment creation device including a control unit that controls the operation of the above-mentioned intake unit and the above-mentioned oxygen control unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above oxygen control unit, A mobile high-altitude environment creation device including a nitrogen generator that supplies and mixes nitrogen with the air supplied to the intake unit while operating under the control of the above control unit.

3. In paragraph 2, The above oxygen control unit, It further includes an oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen concentration of the air supplied by the above intake unit and provides it to the control unit, The above control unit, A mobile high-altitude environment creation device characterized in that the operation of the nitrogen supply device is controlled based on the oxygen concentration applied from the oxygen sensor.

4. In paragraph 1, The above external device is, A chamber formed in a body shape with an openable door for accommodating a person or an animal, detachably connected to the connection unit and supplied with air regulated by the oxygen control unit; or A mobile high-altitude environment creation device including a mask that is detachably connected to the connection unit while being replaced with the chamber and that is supplied with air regulated by the oxygen regulating unit while being worn on the face.

5. In paragraph 4, The above chamber, A viewing window formed in at least part of the interior space to allow a view of the interior space; and A mobile high-altitude environment creation device further comprising a light control unit installed in the above viewing window and operated by the control unit to control the amount of light transmitted through the viewing window.

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