FI20195438A1

FI20195438A1 - Device for regulating suction

Info

Publication number: FI20195438A1
Application number: FI20195438A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Kristo Kivilaakso; Juho Lauronen
Original assignee: LymphaTouch Oy
Priority date: 2019-05-27
Filing date: 2019-05-27
Publication date: 2020-11-28
Also published as: WO2020240088A1

Abstract

A device (10) for regulating suction is presented. The device (10) comprises an adapting portion (18) adapted for attaching removably to an inlet of an external low-pressure device (5), a first opening (21) and a second opening (22) arranged in fluid communication with each other through a fluid communication path. The device (10) further comprises a valve unit (24) arranged in the fluid communication path and a control unit (11) arranged in connection with the valve unit (24) and configured for controlling an operation of the valve unit (24) for regulating the suction. Still further, the device (10) comprises and a safety valve (26) arranged in fluid communication with the fluid communication path between the valve unit (24) and the second opening (22), and with the ambient pressure of the device (10), wherein the safety valve (26) is configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure in the fluid communication path between the valve unit (24) and the second opening (22) to a low-pressure value.

Description

DEVICE FOR REGULATING SUCTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to low-pressure suction devices. In par- ticular, however not exclusively, the present invention concerns a device for reg- — ulating suction produced by an external low-pressure device, such as a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND There are known low-pressure massage devices. Such devices include a des- ignated low-pressure source, such as a vacuum pump or fan. The known low- pressure massage devices are arranged to control the suction caused by the low-pressure source of the device being applied to the skin tissue. The low-pressure source of the device is, however, a component which is heavy and bulky, and increases the cost and complexity of the low-pressure massage device, such as because of the power consumption and the need for cooling of — the low-pressure source. Thus, there is thus a need to further develop low-pres- sure massage or treatment devices.

SUMMARY An objective of the present invention is to provide a device for regulating suction. Another objective of the present invention is that the device can be connected to an external low-pressure device, such as to a vacuum cleaner, for regulating the suction produced by the external low-pressure device, which the suction can o be applied to skin tissue.

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N LÖ The objectives of the invention are reached by a device as defined by the inde- ? pendent claim.

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N = 25 The device comprises an adapting portion adapted for attaching removably to N an inlet of an external low-pressure device, such as to an end of a suction hose Q of a vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, the device comprises a first opening and a 3 second opening, wherein said openings are arranged in fluid communication with each other through a fluid communication path, wherein the second opening is further in fluid communication with the adapting portion. Still further, the device comprises a valve unit arranged in the fluid communication path, wherein the valve unit comprises at least a first port in fluid communication with the first opening, a second port in fluid communication with the second opening, and a third port in fluid communication with an ambient pressure of the device. The device also comprises a control unit arranged in connection with the valve unit and configured for controlling an operation of the valve unit. The device further comprises a safety valve arranged in fluid communication with the fluid commu- nication path between the valve unit and the second opening, and with the am- bient pressure of the device, wherein the safety valve is configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure in the fluid communication path between the valve unit and the second opening to a low-pressure value.

In various embodiments, the low-pressure value may be 150 mmHg, that is, about 20000 pascals.

In various embodiments, the device may comprise a suction opening in fluid communication with the first opening, wherein the suction opening is adapted to be placed against skin tissue for providing the suction to the skin tissue.

In various embodiments, the device may comprise a hose having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are opposite ends of the hose, and wherein the first end is arranged at the first opening.

In various embodiments, the second end of the hose may define the suction opening. Alternatively, the second end of the hose may be connected to a suc- tion head, such as a nozzle, defining the suction opening.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a second safety valve config- > ured to configured to limit a magnitude of the suction at a first opening or at the > suction opening, that is, the suction being applied to the skin tissue.

3 25 Invarious embodiments, the device may comprise a housing defining the adapt- N ing portion and the first opening.

I E In various embodiments, the safety valve may be a constant pressure safety x valve.

D 2 In various embodiments, the safety valve may be an adjustable pressure safety N 30 valve. In these embodiments, the low-pressure value may be adjusted to have any value, for example, in the range from 50 mmHg to 300 mmHg.

In various embodiments, the valve unit may comprise a three-way control valve comprising the first, the second and the third ports. Alternatively, the valve unit may comprise two two-way control valves comprising the first, the second and the third ports.

In various embodiments, the control unit may be configured to control the oper- ation of the valve unit by pulse-width modulation. In various embodiments, the adapting portion may comprise two parts arranged moveably with respect to each other by a hinge, wherein the two parts are adapted to close around the inlet, such as by sealing elements arranged onto inner surfaces of the two parts.

In various embodiments, the adapting portion may comprise a belt or a strap for tightening and locking the two parts around the inlet.

In various embodiments, the adapting portion may include a narrowing channel for receiving the inlet.

— In various embodiments, the device may comprise an electrical energy storage, such as a battery, for supplying electrical power to operate the valve unit and the control unit. However, there may, alternatively or in addition, be a power cord for connecting the device to electrical grid, for instance.

In various embodiments, the device may comprise a display screen.

The present invention provides advantages over known solutions in that the de- vice can be used with various different low-pressure devices or sources, such o as with an ordinary vacuum cleaner, to provide regulated suction. Still further, S the device can be configured to provide regulated suction for applying to skin ro tissue to provide massage or treatment by the suction. Even further, the safety N 25 valve of the device limits the magnitude of the suction as well as operates as a I relief valve for the low-pressure device. a a © Various other advantages will become clear to a skilled person based on the D following detailed description. N The expression "a number of” may herein refer to any positive integer starting from one (1).

The expression "a plurality o? may refer to any positive integer starting from two (2), respectively. The terms “first”, “second” and “third” are herein used to distinguish one element from other element, and not to specially prioritize or order them, if not otherwise explicitly stated. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention presented herein are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used herein as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the present inven- tion are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The present invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates schematically a system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external low-pressure device. o Figure 2 illustrates schematically a device according to an embodiment of the < present invention. 8 < Figure 3 illustrates schematically a device according to an embodiment of the N 25 present invention by a cross-sectional view.

I a N Figure 4 illustrates schematically a device according to an embodiment of the Q present invention by a cross-sectional view.

LO o > Figure 5 illustrates schematically a device according to an embodiment of the present invention by a cross-sectional view.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a device according to an embodiment of the present invention by a cross-sectional view. Figure 7A illustrates schematically a system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external low-pressure device. 5 Figure 7B illustrates schematically a system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external low-pressure device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates schematically a system comprising a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external low-pressure device 5, such as a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner comprises a low-pressure source, such as a pump or a fan, for producing suction. The vacuum cleaner 5 may also comprise a cleaning nozzle 7. The device 10 may be arranged remov- ably to be in fluid communication with the external low-pressure device 5 through a suction hose 6, for instance, in order to direct the suction produced by the external low-pressure device 5 to the device 10. The device 10 may, preferably, comprise at least a main part 12. The device 10 may further comprise a hose 16, such as being flexible, and a suction head 14, such as a nozzle. The low- pressure hose 16 may be arranged between the main part 12 and the suction head 14 for providing fluid communication between said main part 12 and suc- tion head 14. Figure 2 illustrates schematically a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 may comprise an adapting portion 18 adapted > for attaching removably to an inlet of an external low-pressure device 5, such as D defined by the cleaning nozzle 7 at an end of the suction hose 6 of the vacuum 6 25 cleaner. The adapting portion 18 may, in some embodiments, be integrally ar- < ranged to the main part 12, as shown in Fig. 2.

N = The main part 12 and/or the adapting portion 18 may comprise two parts ar- N ranged moveably with respect to each other by a hinge 19 or the like. The two Q parts are adapted to close around the inlet, such as by sealing elements (not 3 30 shown in Fig. 2) arranged onto inner surfaces of the two parts. The two-headed arrow in Fig. 2 illustrates that the two parts can be moved away from each other at, for example, opposite side of the main part 12 with respect to the hinge 19.

The adapting portion may comprise a belt or a strap for tightening and locking the two parts around the inlet.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention by a cross-sectional view. The device 10 may also comprise afirst opening 21 and a second opening 22, wherein said openings 21, 22 are, preferably, arranged in fluid communication with each other through a fluid com- munication path. The second opening may further be in fluid communication with the adapting portion 18. The device 10 may still further comprise a valve unit 24 arranged in the fluid communication path, wherein the valve unit 24 comprises at least a first port 41 in fluid communication with the first opening 21, a second port 42 in fluid communication with the second opening 22, and a third port 43 in fluid communication with an ambient pressure of the device 10. The device 10 may also comprise a control unit (not shown in Fig. 3) arranged in connection with the valve unit 24 and configured for controlling the operation of the valve — unit 24 for regulating the suction. Still further, the device 10 may comprise a safety valve 26 arranged in fluid communication with the fluid communication path, to a portion between the valve unit 24 and the second opening 22 thereof, and with the ambient pressure of the device 10. The safety valve 26 may be configured to limit the magnitude of the pressure in the fluid communication path between the valve unit 24 and the second opening 22 to a low-pressure value.

The low-pressure value may be, for example, in the range from 50 mmHg to 350 mmHg, or in the range from 100 mmHg to 250 mmHg, or specifically 150 mmHg, that is, about 20000 pascals.

The control unit 11 may comprise one or more processors, one or more memo- > 25 ries being volatile or non-volatile for storing portions of computer program code D and any data values and possibly one or more user interface units. The men- N tioned elements may be communicatively coupled to each other with e.g. an ? internal bus.

N = The processor of the control unit 11 may at least be configured to implement at N 30 least the controlling of the operation of the valve unit 24. The implementation Q thereof may be achieved by arranging the processor to execute at least some 3 portion of computer program code stored in the memory causing the processor, and thus the control unit 11. The processor may thus be arranged to access the memory and retrieve and store any information therefrom and thereto. For sake of clarity, the processor herein refers to any unit suitable for processing information and control the operation of the control unit 11, among other tasks.

The operations may also be implemented with a microcontroller solution with embedded software.

Similarly, the memory is not limited to a certain type of memory only, but any memory type suitable for storing the described pieces of information may be applied in the context of the present invention.

Figure 3 further illustrates the flow of air in the device 10 when the valve unit 24 and the safety valve 26 are being operated.

As can be seen, when the valve unit 24 connects the first opening 21 to the second opening 22, the air flows as shown with 31, that is, the first flow.

When the valve unit 24 connects the first opening 21 to the ambient pressure, the air flows as shown with 32, that is, the second flow.

Regarding the safety valve 26, when the magnitude of the pressure in the fluid communication path between the valve unit 24 and the second open- ing 22 reaches the low-pressure value, the air flows as shown with 33, that is, from the ambient pressure The safety valve 26 according to various embodiments of the present invention provides the effect that the air flow to the inlet of the external low-pressure device 5 is never completely cut off due to the valve unit 24 since the safety valve 26 opens when the pressure at the portion between the valve unit 24 and the sec- ond opening 22 of the fluid communication path reaches the low-pressure value.

This provides the advantage that the external low-pressure device 5 is not loaded so heavily and, thus in many cases, does not become so loud and heated.

In some embodiments, the device 10 may comprise a suction opening 15 in fluid communication with the first opening 21, wherein the suction opening 15 may = 25 be adapted to be placed against skin tissue for providing the suction to the skin N tissue. 3 N The device 10 may comprise a housing, such as of the main part 12, defining at I least the adapting portion 18 and the first opening 21. a a © In various embodiments, the safety valve 26 may be a constant pressure safety D 30 valve.

Alternatively, the safety valve may be an adjustable pressure safety valve.

The valve unit 24 may comprises a three-way control valve comprising the first 41, the second 42 and the third 43 ports.

Alternatively, the valve unit 24 may comprises two two-way control valves comprising the first 41, the second 42 and the third 43 ports.

In various embodiments, the control unit may be configured to control the oper- ation of the valve unit 24 by pulse-width modulation.

The pulse-width modulation refers herein to a technique for changing the ratio of ON- and OFF-states of the valve unit 24, such as related to the suction at the first opening 21 or at the suction opening 15. The ON- and OFF- states may partly or completely define one period of the suction. Thus, the suction may, preferably, be periodically applied to the first opening 21 and/or to the suction opening 15. Thus, in some operating condition, the suction may be applied, for example, 30 % of the period (ON-state) to the suction opening 15 and the am- bient pressure for 70 % of the period (OFF-state) to the suction opening 15. In some other condition, the percentages can be something else, preferably, add- ing up to 100 %.

In some embodiments, the device 10 may comprise a low-pressure hose 16 having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are opposite ends of the hose 16, and wherein the first end is arranged at the first opening 21.

In some embodiments, the second end of the hose 16 may define the suction opening 15. Alternatively, the second end of the hose 16 may be connected to a suction head 14, such as to a nozzle, defining the suction opening 15.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a device 10 according to an embodiment of the > present invention by a cross-sectional view. The device 10 may also comprise D a control unit 11 arranged in connection with the valve unit 24 and configured N 25 for controlling the operation of the valve unit 24 for regulating the suction.

O N In Fig. 4, the device 10 may comprise a second safety valve 27 configured to = configured to limit a magnitude of the suction at a first opening 21 or at the suc- N tion opening 15, that is, the suction being applied to the skin tissue. The low- Q pressure threshold value related to the second safety valve 27 may be, for ex- 3 30 ample, in the range from 50 mmHg to 350 mmHg, or in the range from 100 mmHg to 250 mmHg, or specifically 150 mmHg, that is, about 20000 pascals.

The device 10 may comprise a housing 20, such as of the main part 12, defining at least the adapting portion 18 and the first opening 21. Figure 5 illustrates schematically a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention by a cross-sectional view. The device 10 is similar to the one — illustrated in Fig. 4, however, the device 10 further comprises a hose 16, such as a flexible low-pressure hose, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are opposite ends of the hose 16, and wherein the first end is arranged at the first opening 21. The second end of the hose 16 may define the suction opening 15. — Figure 6 illustrates schematically a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention by a cross-sectional view. The main part 12 of the device 10 is otherwise similar to the ones illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, however, the second safety valve 27 is arranged to the suction head 14 at the second end of the hose

16. — Figure 7A illustrates schematically a system comprising a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external low-pressure device

5. The adapting portion 18 may comprises sealing elements 51 arranged onto inner surfaces of the two parts of the adapting portion 18 to seal the space be- tween the nozzle of the external low-pressure device 5 and the second opening

22. Figure 7B illustrates schematically a system comprising a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external low-pressure device

5. The adapting portion may include a narrowing channel for receiving the inlet o of the external low-pressure device 5. The narrowing channel may be imple- > 25 mented, for example, by the inclined inner walls 52 of the adapting portion 18. ? According to various embodiments, the device 10 may, preferably, comprise an N electrical energy storage 60, such as a battery, for supplying electrical power to E operate at least the valve unit 24 and the control unit 11. & According to various embodiments, the device 10 may comprise a display 3 30 screen, such as for providing a user interface for illustrating, and/or adjusting the parameters and the operation of the device 10.

The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and/or the interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

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Claims

1. A device (10) for regulating suction, wherein the device (10) comprises an adapting portion (18) adapted for attaching removably to an inlet of an external low-pressure device (5), such as to an end of a suction hose (6) of a vacuum cleaner; a first opening (21) and a second opening (22), wherein said openings (21, 22) are arranged in fluid communication with each other through a fluid commu- nication path, wherein the second opening (22) is further in fluid communication with the adapting portion (18); a valve unit (24) arranged in the fluid communication path, wherein the valve unit (24) comprises at least a first port (41) in fluid communication with the first opening (21), a second port (42) in fluid communication with the second opening (22), and a third port (43) in fluid communication with an ambient pres- sure of the device (10); a control unit (11) arranged in connection with the valve unit (24) and con- figured for controlling an operation of the valve unit (24) for regulating the suc- tion; and a safety valve (26) arranged in fluid communication with the fluid commu- nication path between the valve unit (24) and the second opening (22), and with the ambient pressure of the device (10), wherein the safety valve (26) is config- ured to limit a magnitude of a pressure in the fluid communication path between the valve unit (24) and the second opening (22) to a low-pressure value.

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2. The device (10) according to claim 1, comprising a suction opening (15) in ro fluid communication with the first opening (21), wherein the suction opening (15) N 25 is adapted to be placed against skin tissue for providing the suction to the skin I tissue.

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3. The device (10) according to 1 or 2, comprising a hose (16) having a first > end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are opposite ends of 2 the hose, and wherein the first end is arranged at the first opening (21).

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4 The device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the second end of the hose (16)

- defines the suction opening (15), or - is connected to a suction head (14), such as a nozzle, defining the suction opening (15).

5. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (20) defining the adapting portion (18) and the first opening (21).

6. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety valve (26) is a constant pressure safety valve.

7. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the low-pressure value is in the range from 50 mmHg to 350 mmHg, or in the range from 100 mmHg to 250 mmHg, or specifically 150 mmHg, that is, about 20000 pascals.

8. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety valve (26) is an adjustable pressure safety valve.

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the — valve unit (24) comprises - a three-way control valve comprising the first, the second and the third ports; or - two two-way control valves comprising the first, the second and the third ports.

10. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the — control unit (11) is configured to control the operation of the valve unit (24) by = pulse-width modulation.

N ro 11. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the N adapting portion (18) comprises two parts arranged moveably with respect to I each other by a hinge (19), wherein the two parts are adapted to close around E 25 the inlet, such as by sealing elements (51) arranged onto inner surfaces of the D two parts.

S 3 S 12. The device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the adapting portion (18) N comprises a belt or a strap for tightening and locking the two parts around the inlet.

13. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapting portion (18) includes a narrowing channel for receiving the inlet.

14. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electrical energy storage (60), such as a battery, for supplying electrical power to operate the valve unit (24) and the control unit (11).

15. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second safety valve (27) configured to limit a magnitude of the suction at a first opening (21) or at the suction opening (15).

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