JP4409240B2 - Resin structure, PSA gas separation device, and assembly method of PSA gas separation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a resin structure for mounting a PSA gas separation device such as a medical oxygen concentrator . Also, a PSA gas separation apparatus using the resin structure regarding the set viewing stand method.

A PSA gas separation apparatus that separates oxygen or nitrogen using air as a raw material and uses it as a product gas has been put into practical use. Recently, in particular, the use of home medical oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators has expanded.
In general, well-known PSA system oxygen concentrator conventionally, for example as disclosed in JP-59-199503 (Patent Document 1), by introducing air as a raw material in a plurality of adsorption columns, each The product gas is obtained by sequentially repeating the pressurization step and the adsorption step in the adsorption cylinder . In this oxygen concentrator, a solenoid valve is attached to a pipe connecting between a plurality of adsorption cylinders and between the adsorption cylinder and the product tank, and by this solenoid valve, gas is sucked into and discharged from the adsorption cylinder , and to the product tank. The supply is controlled.

JP 59-199503

Usually, the assembled oxygen concentrator, to together when securing the component in which the adsorption column and the product tanks to the frame of the apparatus, these components are connected by pipes, also, the solenoid valve to a desired position of the pipe It is necessary to work to attach.
However, the number of man-hours for guiding the pipe to the target place and the work for attaching these parts to the pipe are also increased, and the work efficiency is not good. In addition, the number of parts is increased because joints, elbows, and the like are used to connect the suction cylinder and the product tank. In addition, since the locations of the pipes to be connected to the parts are not assembled, workability for connection is also poor.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of components, achieving a reduction in assembly man-hours, to provide a PSA gas separation apparatus having an improved assembling property.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gas conduit and integrated only Ru can parts, and PSA gas separation apparatus and component mounting structure that achieves a manifold.

In the present invention, a resin structure that is mounted and used in a PSA gas separation device that concentrates gas sent by an air pump with an adsorption cylinder and obtains product gas in a product tank is integrally molded by, for example, blow molding.
In a preferred embodiment, the resin structure includes at least the air pump and the suction tube gas passage switching connections for mounting the unitized gas channel switch having a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to , provided with connection ports for attaching at least said air pump and said adsorption columns, a plurality of gas conducting tubes arranged to connect the said connection port and the gas passage switching connection portion as an internal hollow pattern Make up composition.
This as the resin structural components incorporated in the body, preferably integrally together also the product tank and muffler molding.

The resin structure is preferably a plate-like member made of a synthetic resin formed by blow molding, the gas flow path switch connection portion and the connection port said to set on one surface of the plate member Manifolding is realized by guiding and providing a plurality of gas conduction pipe patterns. The adsorption column is mounted vertically on one side of the flat plate of the resin structure. By comprising in this way, components, such as the said adsorption cylinder and the said gas flow path switch, can be attached from one surface, Therefore Workability | operativity improves.
Before SL gas channel switch includes a gas port portion constituting the flow path of the gas In the side facing the gas passage switching connection portion provided in the resin structure, attached to the gas port portion, And a movable mechanism having a switching mechanism for switching the gas flow path. In one example, the movable mechanism portion is configured to have a plurality of electromagnetic valves.

Method of assembling PSA gas separation apparatus using the resin structure having the above structure, the together to form therein by patterning a plurality of gas conducting pipe for conducting gas, flat one end of said plurality of gas conduit forming a connection port by derived on the side of the common in Jo of the resin structure, connecting said adsorption column to the connection port of the resin structure, the connection opening in the resin structure steps and, the gas flow path switching unit that is unitized with a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to at least the air pump and the suction tube, the plurality of gas of the resin structure for connecting the air pump And a step of connecting to a portion (gas flow path switching connection portion) where the conducting pipes are concentrated.

In another preferred configuration of the present invention, the resin structure incorporates at least one of said adsorption columns, and the product tank, and a plurality of gas conduit for sending the gas to the adsorption columns and the product tank and that of the integrally formed plate-like Te, common to side, the gas which is unitized with a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to the adsorption columns and the product tank of the resin structure comprising a plurality of said gas flow path gas conduit is guided switched connection portion for connecting the flow channel switching device, and the connection port of the plurality of gas conduit for connection to the air pump.

Method of assembling the resin structure PSA gas separation apparatus using the steps and, the connecting port provided in the one end of the plurality of gas-conducting pipe of the resin structure to prepare a resin structure in which the structure of the in connecting said air pump, the gas flow path switching unit that is unitized with a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to at least the air pump and the suction tube, the plurality of the resin structure And a step of connecting to a portion where the gas conduction pipes are gathered (gas flow path switching connection portion) .
Resin structure of this example, since the are integrated on-chip to the adsorption column and and the product tank, further the number of parts can be reduced, further reduces the number of assembly steps of the apparatus, the workability is improved.

According to the present invention, to reduce the number of parts of the PSA gas separation apparatus, achieving reduction of assembling steps, the assembling property is improved.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a schematic configuration of a PSA gas separation apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, the PSA gas separation device includes two adsorption cylinders 21 and 22 filled with an adsorbent 29 (see FIG. 3) , a product tank 23, and air for supplying a mixed gas to the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22. A pump 9 and a silencer 24 are provided. These air pumps 9, outlets and inlets of the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22, and inlets and outlets of the product tank 23, and gas conduction pipes 51 to 58 that are connected to the silencer 24 and circulate gas are provided. Further, the gas flow path switching device 1 is provided at a place where the gas conduction pipes 51 to 57 are gathered. The gas passage switching unit 1, be described in detail later, and mainly includes a plurality of solenoid valves 41 to 46. 31'～37 'denotes a connecting end of the gas conduit 51 to 57 and a plurality of solenoid valves 41 to 46.

The arrow X indicates the mixed gas supply direction, the arrow Y indicates the product gas take-out direction, and the arrow Z indicates the exhaust gas discharge direction. PSA gas separation apparatus connects the muffler 24 so generates a noise when releasing exhaust gas from the adsorption column 21 during vacuum regeneration.
For example, when used as a medical oxygen concentrator, adsorption cylinders 21 and 22 are filled with crystalline zeolite as an adsorbent 29 (see FIG. 3) in order to adsorb nitrogen from air and generate concentrated oxygen . .

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a PSA gas separation device according to one embodiment. Reference is also made to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.
This embodiment is mainly characterized by the structure of the resin structure 7. The resin structure 7, as shown in FIG. 2 is of a synthetic resin constituted by blow molding a flat plate-like, as a component, shaping the product tank 23 and muffler 24 integrally. Further, in order to conduct gas between these internal components and external components, a plurality of gas conduction pipes 51 to 58 are provided in a pattern. In resin structure 7, in order to connect the adsorption column 21, 22 and the air pump 9 is an external component, the gas conduit 51, 53-56, 58 respectively to one end connection port 121,123～126, 128 is formed. Furthermore, in order to connect with the gas flow path switching device 1, the connection ports 31 ′ to 37 ′ provided at one ends of the gas conduction pipes 51 to 57 are gathered at a common place, so that the gas flow path switching connection portion 30 It is formed. That is, the resin structure 7 has a flat plate shape in which the gas conduction pipes 51 to 58 , the product tank 23, and the silencer 24 are hollow.

This resin structure 7 functions as a mounting support for mounting and connecting external components.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the suction cylinders 21 and 22 have their connection ports 113 and 114 directly connected to the connection ports 123 and 124 provided in the resin structure 7, and the other connection port. 115 and 116 are connected to connection ports 125 and 126 via hoses 61 and 63, respectively. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the suction cylinders 21 and 22 are vertically attached to the flat resin structure 7 (only the suction cylinder 21 is shown in FIG. 3) . As shown in FIG. 2 , the air pump 9 is coupled by connecting the connection port 111 and the connection port 121 of the resin structure 7 with a hose 64. By appropriately guiding the hose 64, the air pump 9 can be arranged at an optimal place. Further, a hose 62 is connected to the connection port 128 of the gas conduction pipe 58 from the product tank 23 and supplied to the user.

The connection ports 121, 123 to 126, 128 and the gas flow path switching connection portion 30 for connection to the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22, the air pump 9, the gas flow path switching device 1 and the like as external parts are shown in FIG. Thus, it is provided in common on one side of the flat resin structure 7 . In particular, one ends of the gas conduction pipes 51 to 57 related to the connection with the gas flow path switching device 1 are concentrated on the gas flow path switching connection portion 30. For this reason, when external parts are attached to the resin structure 7, these parts can be attached from one surface side of the resin structure 7, and workability is improved.

Further, the resin structure 7 can improve the productivity because the internal components can be molded at once by blow molding. Further , the connection between the gas conduction pipes 57 and 58 and the product tank 23 and the connection between the gas conduction pipe 52 and the silencer 24 are also formed in a single body within the resin structure 7, so that the joints conventionally used for these connections are used. This eliminates the need for parts such as the number of parts and reduces the number of parts.

Next, the configuration of the gas flow path switch 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
4 to 6 is a function for switching the gas flow between the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22, the product tank 23, the air pump 9, and the silencer 24 for discharging exhaust gas shown in FIG. It is what has.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of solenoid valves 41 to 46 for switching the gas flow and the gas port unit 3 are integrated into one unit, and the gas flow path switch 1 is united. The unit is configured to be attached to the gas flow path switching connection portion 30 (see FIG. 2) of the resin structure 7 as a unit.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electromagnetic valves 41 to 46 are fixed to the gas port portion 3 via a sealing material 60 (since FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 4, , 44 only.) The electromagnetic valves 41 to 46 are composed of an electromagnet coil 47, a spring 48, and a plunger 49, and the valve seat 40 controls the opening and closing of the gas flow path by the movement of the plunger 49, and the gas flow is switched.
In contrast to the switching mechanism (driving mechanism) including the electromagnetic valves 41 to 46 that switch the gas flow path, the gas port portion 3 is a stator portion. As shown in FIG. 6, holes 31 to 36 are formed in the gas port portion 3 at positions facing the connection ports 31 ′ to 36 ′ shown in the gas flow path switching connection portion 30 of FIG. 2 . Further, as indicated by a dotted line, a gas flow path (gas conduction pipe) is formed at the position of the gas port portion 3 at a position corresponding to the related previous solenoid valves 41 to 46 .

In the gas flow path switching device 1 configured as described above , the gas port portion 3 is hermetically attached and fixed to the gas flow path switching connection portion 30 of the resin structure 7 via the sealing material 60 ( see FIG. 3). Is done. Here, the provided portion concave to the lower surface side of the gas passage switching connection unit 30, to strengthen the structure of the gas flow path switching connection 30, of the resin structure 7 connecting port 31'～36 This is to improve the airtightness between ' and the gas port part 3.

In this way, the gas flow paths of the related gas conduction pipes 51 to 58 are switched by appropriately driving the solenoid valves 41 to 46 of the gas flow path switch 1 fixed to the resin structure 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the gas flow path between the gas conduction pipe 53 and the gas conduction pipe 57 is switched and controlled by driving the gas port section 3 and the corresponding electromagnetic valves 43 and 44.

As described above, the workability for connecting the solenoid valves 41 to 46 to the gas conduction pipes 51 to 57 is improved by adopting a configuration in which the gas flow path switch 1 is unitized and attached to the resin structure 7. be able to.
When the PSA gas separation apparatus is assembled using the resin structure 7 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the adsorption cylinder 21 already filled with the gas adsorbent 29 (see FIG. 3) is used. , 22 are joined to the connection ports 123 and 124 of the resin structure 7, and the other ends 115 and 116 are connected to the connection ports 125 and 126 by the hoses 61 and 63, respectively. Further, the connection port 111 of the air pump 9 is connected to the connection port 121 via the hose 64. The gas flow path switching device 1 having the above-described configuration is joined to the gas flow path switching connection portion 30 of the resin structure 7. A hose 62 is connected to the connection port 128 of the gas conduction pipe 58 led from the product tank 23 and supplied to the user. Thus , the assembly in which various components are mounted on the resin structure 7 is fixed to the casing of the apparatus by a screw mechanism (not shown), and the apparatus is completed. Needless to say, the air pump 9 is also fixed at an appropriate position of the casing.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a PSA gas separation device according to another embodiment. In the resin structure 7 in this example, the resin structure 7 including the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22 is integrally formed by blow molding. The resin structure 7 may be said to have a substantially flat plate shape having an upper surface and a lower surface. By forming a hollow portion between the upper surface and the lower surface, the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22, the product tank 23, and the gas conduction pipes 51 to 58 are formed. Form a silencer 24. In order to attach the lids 25 and 26, thread grooves 27 and 28 are formed in the suction cylinders 21 and 22, respectively.

The gas flow path switching device 1 connected to the gas flow path switching connection unit 30 is the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. The connection of the air pump 9 is the same as described above.
According to this example, since the suction cylinders 21 and 22 are integrated into the resin structure 7 as an internal part, the connection ports 113 and 123 of the suction cylinders 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 1 (see FIG. 2). And the connection ports 114 and 124 (see FIG. 2) can be omitted, and the assembling work of the suction cylinders 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 2 is not necessary.

In addition, since the adsorption cylinders 21, 22 and the product tank 23, etc., which substantially constitute the PSA separation apparatus, are formed along the plane of the resin structure 7, the entire apparatus becomes even more compact. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22 are mounted upright with respect to the surface of the resin structure 7, so that the volume of the apparatus becomes larger, but in the example of FIG. 7, the volume of the apparatus is larger than that. It is that a small.

Assembling the resin structure 7 as a PSA gas separation device is performed by filling the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22 with the gas adsorbent 29 (see FIG. 3) , attaching the lids 25 and 26, and connecting the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22. This is done by connecting the hoses 61 and 63 to the ports 115 and 116 and connecting the other ends of the hoses to the connection ports 125 and 126. The fixed and assembly operations resin structure 7 constructed in the housing of the device so as to complete. The connection between the gas flow path switch 1 and the air pump 9 is the same as in the above-described example.
Although the preferred embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the piping direction and length of the gas conduction pipes 51 to 58, the size of the silencer 24 and the product tank 23, and the position of the arrangement can be variously changed.

Moreover, it is important that the gas flow path switching unit 1 is unitized and attached to the resin structure 7 for each unit. The configuration of the gas flow path switching unit 1 itself is shown in FIGS. Various modifications can be made without being limited thereto. In an embodiment with a large number of solenoid valves 41 to 46 , the unit of the gas flow path switch 1 may be divided into a plurality of units. Solenoid valves 41 to 46 are used to switch and control the gas flow path, but if there is something that can control the opening and closing of the gas flow path by another drive mechanism other than the electromagnetic valves 41 to 46 , It may be used.
Furthermore, there is another modification in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, the product tank 23 and the silencer 24 are formed as parts built in the resin structure 7. However, in order to avoid the scope of the present invention, one or both of these parts may be configured as external parts without being incorporated. In this case, the number of external parts increases and the assembly workability deteriorates, but it is within the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, with respect to the modified example of FIG. 7 as well, the piping direction and length of the gas conduction pipes 51 to 58, the sizes of the adsorption cylinders 21 and 22, the silencer 24 and the product tank 23, and the position of the arrangement are variously changed. Can be implemented.
2 and FIG. 7, the example in which two suction cylinders are provided has been described. However, the number of suction cylinders 21 and 22 is not limited to this, and may be three or more. Further, the number of suction cylinders 21 and 22 may be set to one in order to meet the demand for compactness and low cost of the apparatus.

The PSA gas separation apparatus is not only applied to a medical oxygen concentrator, but also used for other purposes. In this case, it varies depending on the application of the gas adsorbent to be filled in the adsorption column.

The figure which shows the flow sheet of the PSA gas separation device by one Example The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the PSA gas separation apparatus by one Example. Sectional drawing which shows the structure by one Example The perspective view of the gas flow path switch by one Example Sectional drawing of the gas flow path switch by one Example The figure which shows the gas flow path relationship of the port part of the gas flow path switch by one Example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the PSA gas separation apparatus by another Example.

1 Gas flow selector
3 Gas port
7 Resin structure
9 Air pump
21, 22 Adsorption cylinder
23 Product tank
24 silencer
25, 26 lid
27, 28 thread groove
29 Adsorbent
30 Gas flow path switching connection
40 Valve seat
41 to 46 Solenoid valve
47 Electromagnetic coil
48 Spring
49 Plunger
50 fittings
51-58 gas conduction pipe
60 Sealing material
61-64 Gas conduit (hose)

Claims (17)

In the PSA gas separation device that concentrates the gas sent by the air pump in the adsorption cylinder and obtains the product gas in the product tank,
(1) a unitized gas flow path switch having a switching mechanism for switching a gas flow to the air pump and the adsorption cylinder;
(2) and the gas passage switching connection portion for connecting the gas flow path switching unit, a resin structure in which a plurality of gas conduit is integrally formed to conduct gas,
With
One end of a particular gas conduit of the plurality of gas-conducting pipe, said is connected to an air pump or the suction tube, the other end of the particular gas conduit, the gas flow path in the resin structure Centralized at the switching connection ,
One end and the other end of the specific gas conduction pipe are arranged on the common side of the resin structure. The resin structure is a flat support positioned the specific gas conduit is patterned therein, PSA gas separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one formed Ri by the blow molding . 3. The PSA gas separation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of adsorption cylinders are vertically attached to one surface side of the resin structure formed in a flat plate shape. 4. The PSA gas separation device according to claim 1, wherein a silencer is integrally provided in the resin structure, and the silencer is connected to a specific gas conduction pipe among the plurality of gas conduction pipes. . 5. The PSA gas separation according to claim 1, wherein the product tank is integrally provided in the resin structure, and the product tank is connected to a specific gas conduction pipe among the plurality of gas conduction pipes. apparatus. The gas flow path switching unit includes a gas port portion In the side opposed to the gas flow path switching connection portion provided in the resin structure constituting the flow path of the gas, it is attached to the gas port portion PSA gas separation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and has a, a movable mechanism having a switching mechanism switching the flow path of the gas. The movable mechanism part, PSA gas separation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the configuration of a plurality of solenoid valves. A resin structure used for mounting a PSA gas separation device for concentrating gas sent by an air pump with an adsorption cylinder to obtain product gas in a product tank,
(1) at least the air pump and the suction tube gas passage switching connections for mounting the unitized gas channel switch having a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to,
(2) at least the air pump 及 beauty plurality of connection ports for attaching the suction tube,
(3) and said provided as a hollow pattern in the resin structure, a plurality of gas-conducting pipe which is arranged to connect the plurality of connection ports and the gas flow path switching connections,
A synthetic resin-made resin structure characterized in that is integrally provided. The resin structure is a planar structure, the plurality of gas conducts so that the gas flow path switch connection portion and the plurality of connection ports is disposed on one surface side of the flat plate of the resin structure 9. The tube pattern according to claim 8 , wherein the product tank is built in and integrated with the resin structure, and the product tank is connected to a specific gas conduction pipe among the plurality of gas conduction pipes . Resin structure. The resin structure is a planar structure, the plurality of gas conducts so that the gas flow path switch connection portion and the plurality of connection ports is disposed on one surface side of the flat plate of the resin structure the pattern of the tube is provided, further wherein the muffler in resin structure with integrally provided, the resin structure of the silencer is connected claim 8 or 9, wherein the particular gas conduit of the plurality of gas conduit body. In the PSA gas separation device that concentrates the gas sent by the air pump in the adsorption cylinder and obtains the product gas in the product tank,
(1) a unitized gas flow path switch having a switching mechanism for switching a gas flow to the adsorption cylinder and the product tank;
(2) at least, the adsorption column, wherein the product tank, a plurality of gas conduit for sending the gas against the suction tube and the product tank, is a built integrally formed, further wherein the gas stream a flat resin structure in which the plurality of gas passages formed by gathering the gas conduit switch connection unit is also integrally formed to connect the road switch,
(3) an air pump connected to a connection port provided at one end of the specific gas conduction pipe among the plurality of gas conduction pipes;
With
The PSA gas separation apparatus, wherein the gas flow path switching connection portion and a connection port connected to the air pump are provided on a common surface side of the resin structure . The resin structure, PSA gas separation apparatus of claim 11, wherein it is made of synthetic resin formed by blow molding. 13. The PSA gas separation device according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein a silencer is provided integrally with the resin structure, and the silencer is connected to a specific gas conduction pipe among the plurality of gas conduction pipes . A resin structure used for mounting a PSA gas separation device for concentrating gas sent by an air pump with an adsorption cylinder to obtain product gas in a product tank,
At least, said adsorption columns, and the product tank, made of the adsorption columns and the product tank pair and a plurality of gas conduit for sending the gas, is a built integrally formed plate-like structure ,
Said adsorption column and the product gas channel has gathered a plurality of gas conduit for connecting the unitized gas channel switch having a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to the tank switching connection portion ,
A connection port for connecting to the air pump , provided at one end of a specific gas conduction pipe among the plurality of gas conduction pipes ,
A resin structure characterized by being arranged on the common surface side . In the assembly method of the PSA gas separation device that concentrates the gas sent by the air pump in the adsorption cylinder and obtains the product gas in the product tank,
(1) a plurality of gas conducting pipe for conducting gas is formed inside is patterned, a plate-like resin structure derived by forming the connection port on the side of the common one end of said plurality of gas conduit The first step to prepare,
(2) a second step of connecting the adsorption column to the connection port at a particular gas conduit of the plurality of gas conduit,
(3) a third step of connecting the air pump to the connection port at a particular gas conduit of the plurality of gas conduit,
(4) at least the air pump and unitized gas channel switch having a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to the adsorption columns, the plurality of gas-conducting pipe in the resin structure is centralized gas A fourth step of connecting to the flow path switching connection ;
A method for assembling a PSA gas separation device comprising: Wherein in a first step, the assembly method of claim 15 PSA gas separation apparatus according to the product tank 及 beauty muffler built to the integrally formed on the resin structure. In the assembly method of the PSA gas separation device that concentrates the gas sent by the air pump in the adsorption cylinder and obtains the product gas in the product tank,
(1) together when at least the suction tube and the said product tank is integrally built, a plurality of gas conduit for sending the pair to gas into the adsorption columns and the product tank is built is patterned a first step of preparing the plurality of the gas conduit plate-shaped resin structure connecting port derive on the side of the common one end is formed of,
(2) a second step of connecting the air pump to the connection port at a particular gas conduit of the plurality of gas conduit,
(3) the air pump and unitized gas channel switch having a switching mechanism for switching the flow of gas to the adsorption column, the gas stream in which the plurality of gas conduit is centralized in the resin structure A third step of connecting to the path switching connection ;
A method for assembling a PSA gas separation device comprising :

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