Oxygen Concentrator Startup Control for Fast Stable Oxygen Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen concentration devices struggle to quickly stabilize oxygen gas supply at the desired flow rate for patients, exceeding the 120-second limit specified by JIS T7209:2018, which is crucial for urgent medical needs.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a control method and program that control the flow rate adjustment unit and pressurized air supply unit during startup to achieve a start-up flow rate and supply amount greater than the set flow rate and amount, transitioning to the set flow rate and supply amount after a predetermined interval or oxygen concentration is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the flow rate control valve is fully opened at startup to increase oxygen gas flow rate, then the start-up interval is reduced, but the oxygen concentration may not reach the minimum rated concentration during the start-up interval
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by fully opening the flow rate control valve at startup to maximize oxygen gas flow rate before the adsorption process is fully established. This preliminary high flow rate action reduces the start-up interval by ensuring oxygen gas is supplied to the patient as quickly as possible, while the control unit monitors and manages the transition to stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate control valve opening based on the operational phase. During the start-up interval, the valve is fully opened to maximize flow rate. After the start-up interval elapses or oxygen concentration reaches the minimum rated concentration, the control unit adjusts the valve to maintain the desired flow rate while ensuring concentration requirements are met. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between rapid startup and concentration stability.
2Loss of time
If the compressor rotation speed is maximized at startup to increase pressurized air supply, then the start-up interval is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor operates in periodic phases: during the start-up interval, the compressor rotation speed is maximized to rapidly build up pressurized air supply and reduce the start-up interval. After the start-up interval elapses or the desired oxygen concentration is achieved, the control unit reduces the compressor speed to a lower maintenance level. This periodic operation pattern achieves rapid startup while minimizing overall energy consumption during stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor speed is dynamically controlled based on the operational phase. The control unit maximizes compressor rotation speed during the start-up interval to rapidly supply pressurized air for oxygen generation. Once the start-up interval elapses or minimum rated concentration is reached, the control unit adjusts the compressor speed downward to match the actual oxygen demand, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable oxygen supply.
3Loss of time
If the oxygen gas flow rate is set to the maximum set flow rate during startup, then the start-up interval is reduced below 120 seconds, but the flow rate adjustment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback control by monitoring the elapsed time since startup and the oxygen concentration levels. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the flow rate control valve: during the start-up interval, it maintains maximum flow rate to reduce startup time; after the interval elapses or concentration requirements are met, it adjusts the flow rate to the appropriate set flow rate. This feedback mechanism simplifies the overall control complexity by using time and concentration as control parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the start-up interval to less than 120 seconds, ensuring rapid stabilization of oxygen gas supply, meeting the JIS T7209:2018 standards and addressing urgent patient needs.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption tube to which pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply unit and which concentrates oxygen in the pressurized air by adsorbing nitrogen in the supplied pressurized air to generate oxygen gas
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an oxygen concentration device, a control method, and a control program with which a start-up interval until a desired high-concentration oxygen gas can be supplied can be reduced. The oxygen concentration device includes a pressurized air supply unit for supplying pressurized air, an adsorption tube which concentrates oxygen in the pressurized air by adsorbing nitrogen in the supplied pressurized air to generate oxygen gas, an oxygen gas tank for storing oxygen gas, a flow rate adjustment unit which adjusts an oxygen gas flow rate to be output to the exterior from the oxygen gas tank, and a control unit which controls the flow rate adjustment unit so that the oxygen gas flow rate becomes a set flow rate and controls the pressurized air supply unit so that the pressurized air achieves a supply amount corresponding to the set flow rate.