JP2001149411A - Electric passenger device having oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric passenger device having an oxygen concentrator for which a driving license is unnecessary, which utilizes an oxygen concentrator as oxygen therapy, and which may furnish concentrated oxygen gas safely and for many hours during drive to a driver who has difficulty in walking. SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an electric passenger device having an oxygen concentrator which is essential to extending the sphere of action for a patient receiving home oxygen therapy(HOT) from the interior of a room such as a home and a hospital to the open air such as a travel, a walk, and a hike, especially wherein the oxygen concentrator has (i) a dehumidifying and humidifying portion which is formed by arranging a vapor permeable hollow system in a container and in which the inside and outside of the hollow system are utilized as dehumidifying and humidifying zones, respectively and (ii) a pressure fluctuation type gas adsorbing portion which prepares concentrated oxygen gas by adsorbing and removing nitrogen gas from air dehumidified in the dehumidifying zone of the dehumidifying and humidifying portion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator used by a person who uses an oxygen concentrator which is widely used as oxygen therapy and who has difficulty walking such as a silver (elderly person) or a patient. The present invention relates to a motorized riding device with a container.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric riding apparatus which does not require a driver's license, and which uses an oxygen concentrator as oxygen therapy and has difficulty walking.
The present invention relates to an electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator capable of supplying high-quality oxygen-enriched gas safely and for a long time during riding.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, oxygen therapy has been widely used for patients with chronic respiratory failure. For example, home oxygen therapy for this type of chronic respiratory disease
In apy (HOT), an oxygen concentrator is widely used as an important tool.

[0004] The oxygen concentrator applied to the home oxygen therapy (HOT) is, as its name implies, a room (home).
The fixed type or the movable type is widely used. Furthermore, the oxygen concentrator, air (atmosphere) nitrogen (N ₂₎ and treated with adsorbent such as zeolite gas removed by adsorption, a method of preparing a concentrated oxygen gas (O _2), so-called, an entrapment Oxygen concentrators are widely used.

[0005] As will be described later, the present invention is to assist a person who is receiving oxygen therapy, such as difficulty walking, with walking so as not to disturb long-term outdoor life.
In addition, it is intended to supply the concentrated oxygen safely and stably for a long time at the same time. The technical core of the present invention lies in that an oxygen concentrator having a special structure is incorporated into an electric riding apparatus which does not require a driver's license, in order to satisfy the above-mentioned needs. Therefore, a conventional oxygen concentrator will be described below in order to gain an understanding of the present invention.

[0006] A typical adsorbent oxygen concentrator used in conventional home enzyme therapy (HOT) is outlined in FIG.
It is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a conventional adsorption-type oxygen concentrator (A ') of this type is configured to (i) take in air and adsorb nitrogen and moisture in air mainly by using an adsorbent. An oxygen-enriched gas generating unit (1 ') for preparing an oxygen-enriched gas having a high oxygen concentration and a low humidity; (ii) a humidifying unit for humidifying the dry oxygen-enriched gas from the generating unit (1') ( 2 ′), and (iii) an oxygen supply unit (3 ′) for using the humidified oxygen-enriched gas from the humidification unit (2 ′) for use.

In FIG. 17, each component (1 ', 2', 3 ') of the oxygen concentrator (A') is schematically shown. When the dry (low humidity) oxygen-enriched gas obtained from the oxygen-enriched gas generation unit (1 ') is supplied to the patient as it is, the humidification unit (2') can dry the patient's mucous membrane, etc. The resulting oxygen concentration is an important component for humidifying the gas to cause pain. The oxygen supply section (3 ') supplies the humidified oxygen-enriched gas to the nose or mask (mouth) of the patient by using a hose or a cannula as shown in the figure.

[0008] Next, FIG.
₍₂ ) This explains the internal structure of an adsorption-type oxygen concentrator (A ′) using a sieve bed (adsorption cylinder) filled with an adsorbent in more detail.

In this type of adsorption type oxygen concentrator (A '), zeolite as an adsorbent is mainly composed of alumina or silicic acid and selectively adsorbs nitrogen gas in air under high pressure. It has the property of releasing adsorbed nitrogen gas under low pressure. This type of adsorbent also has the property of adsorbing moisture in the air. For this reason, in order to produce high-concentration oxygen gas from the air, two adsorbers are used because the oxygen separation capacity is reduced by the adsorption of nitrogen and moisture under one adsorber. By switching between high pressure and low pressure, nitrogen is efficiently adsorbed and desorbed efficiently to produce a concentrated enzyme. That is, when one sieve bed (adsorption cylinder) is pressurized and adsorbs nitrogen gas, the other sieve bed is depressurized to flush a desired purge gas (for example, a part of the generated oxygen-enriched gas). Oxygen concentrators of the type that efficiently produce oxygen-enriched gas by alternately performing similar switching so as to release nitrogen gas are widely used.

It should be noted that pressurization and decompression are repeated using a sieve bed (adsorption cylinder) filled with the above-mentioned zeolite,
The method of continuously producing high-concentration oxygen gas is the PSA method (Pr
essure Swing Adsorption method, pressure fluctuation type adsorption method).

In the oxygen concentrator incorporating the conventional PSA method described above, the adsorption column filled with a zeolite adsorbent is
As described above, at the high pressure, the water (H ₂ O) is also adsorbed simultaneously with the nitrogen gas (N ₂ ), so that the adsorbing performance of N ₂ decreases with time. Therefore, the water contained in the raw material gas is removed as much as possible and supplied to the sieve bed (adsorption column).

As a method for removing water from the raw material gas (air), there are a cooling method and an adsorption method, but these methods have various disadvantages such as a complicated apparatus and a large energy loss. ing. For this reason, in the oxygen concentrator incorporating the conventional PSA method, a method of humidifying by a bubbling method, that is, a method of humidifying by bubbling concentrated oxygen gas generated in a container containing purified water is widely adopted. ing.

FIG. 18 shows a typical humidification unit incorporating the above-mentioned conventional PSA method (pressure fluctuation adsorption method) and having a humidification unit for humidifying by bubbling a product gas (oxygen-enriched gas) into purified water. Oxygen therapy oxygen concentrator (A
2) shows a block diagram (piping system diagram).

As shown in the figure, an oxygen concentrator for oxygen therapy (A) incorporating a conventional PSA method (pressure fluctuation type adsorption method).
') Are the major components: 1. Pretreatment section for raw material air (AIR) 2. a sieve bed section comprising two sieve beds (adsorption cylinders) (21, 22); N ₂ adsorption (concentration O) of _two sieve beds (adsorption column)
_3. Solenoid valve for switching between ₂ generation) and N ₂ purge (recovery of O ₂ generation ability) 4. Product tank (storage for oxygen-enriched gas) 5. Flow rate of oxygen-enriched gas, pressure adjusting section, 6. Humidifying unit by bubbling to purified water The control unit (control unit, control board).

The raw material air (AIR) pretreatment section (1)
Is a raw air (1) having a predetermined environmental relative humidity (RH).
1) is pre-processed, and an intake filter (12);
It is composed of a compressor (13), a heat exchanger (14), a cooling fan (15), a HEPA filter (16) and the like. In addition, the HEPA filter is provided with the raw air (A
Dust, bacteria, etc. contained in IR)
This is for preventing entry into the section (2).

A sieve bed (adsorption cylinder) section (2) filled with zeolite is provided with an adsorption cylinder (21) for selectively adsorbing nitrogen gas in air under high pressure and a nitrogen gas adsorbed under low pressure. Adsorption column (regeneration purge tower) (2
2). The two adsorption tubes (21, 22) are switched after a predetermined time, so that the oxygen-enriched gas is produced efficiently.

The switching between high pressure and low pressure of the sheave bed section (2) is performed by an electromagnetic valve section (3) under a control command of a control section (7) as shown in the figure. In FIG. 18, the piping configuration of the sheave bed (2) includes a purge orifice (23), a switching valve (24), a check valve (25, 25), etc. in connection with switching between high pressure and low pressure. Have been. FIG.
The piping section (31) attached to the solenoid valve section (3)
Denotes an exhaust muffler for N ₂ gas purged from the adsorption cylinder (for example, 22) during regeneration purging.

The oxygen-enriched gas produced by the sieve bed (adsorption cylinder) section (2) is stored in a product tank (4).

Next, the produced oxygen-enriched gas is adjusted to a desired flow rate and pressure in the flow rate / pressure adjusting section (5) under the control of the control section (7) or other control means. The flow rate / pressure adjusting section (5) in FIG. 18 includes a pressure setting device (adjustment knob) (51), a flow setting device (52), and the like. In the flow / pressure adjusting unit (5) of FIG. 14, reference numeral (53) denotes a bacterial filter, (54) denotes an oxygen sensor, and (55) denotes a shutoff valve.

The oxygen-enriched gas in a dry state whose flow rate and pressure have been adjusted as described above is supplied to a humidifying section (6) for humidifying by bubbling into purified water. Supplied to In FIG. 18, reference numeral (61) denotes a humidifier, and (62) denotes an oxygen-enriched gas supplied to the patient after humidity control.

A typical oxygen concentrator (A ') incorporating the conventional PSA method shown in FIG. 18 is a dried oxygen concentrator (A') manufactured by a sieve bed (adsorption column) section (2) as described above. It has a humidifying section (6) having a structure in which oxygen-enriched gas (low humidity) is bubbled into purified water to humidify. When the conventional type oxygen concentrator (A ') is used in the usage mode of the present invention, that is, when the oxygen concentrator is used in an electric riding device, the humidifying unit is There is a drawback in that it does not operate safely and normally due to external vibration, falling of the riding device, and the like.

In addition, the conventional humidifier (6) having the above-mentioned structure has the following disadvantages. (i). The conventional humidifying unit having a simple structure by the bubbling method has a disadvantage that it is excessively humidified (humidifying temperature). For this reason, in the supply path for supplying the oxygen-enriched gas to the patient side, for example, dew condensation occurs inside a plastic hose or cannula, and water droplets are generated.
Then, the water droplets generated by the dew condensation enter the patient's nostrils or the like and give the patient discomfort, or the bacteria grow in the water droplets, which is unsanitary. (ii). Purified water needs to be replaced or replenished regularly, each time requiring additional effort on the part of the patient. (iii) Since the humidification is based on the bubbling method, there is a disadvantage that the bubbling sound is noisy (noise).

[0023]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention extends the range of activities of patients receiving home oxygen therapy (HOT) from indoors such as homes and hospitals to outdoor activities such as traveling, walking, hiking, and QL of these people. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric riding device with an oxygen concentrator, which is indispensable for improving (quality of life).

That is, the present invention provides (i) an electric riding apparatus, particularly an electric riding apparatus which does not require a driver's license, and (ii) driving using a power supply unit of the electric riding apparatus. Provide a motorized riding device that does not require a driver's license and incorporates an oxygen concentrator to increase the range of action of people who need to supply oxygen-enriched gas such as patients receiving home oxygen therapy (HOT) for a long time. It is intended to be expanded so that it can be adapted to outdoor life.

[0025]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the present invention relates to an electric riding apparatus, wherein the electric riding apparatus is an oxygen concentrator driven by using a power supply unit thereof. Further, the present invention relates to an electric riding device with an oxygen concentrator, which has an oxygen concentrator having a humidifier.

[0026] In particular, the present invention relates to the electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator, wherein the oxygen concentrator is constituted by (i) arranging a water vapor permeable hollow system in a container. A dehumidifying and humidifying unit that uses the inside of the hollow system as a dehumidifying zone and the outside as a humidifying zone; and (ii) adsorbs and removes nitrogen gas from air dehumidified in the dehumidifying zone of the dehumidifying and humidifying unit. And a pressure fluctuation type gas adsorption section for preparing oxygen gas.

Further, the present invention relates to the electric riding apparatus with the oxygen concentrator, wherein the oxygen concentrator comprises: (i) a pressure-fluctuation type gas adsorption apparatus for preparing an oxygen-enriched gas by adsorbing and removing nitrogen gas from air. And (ii) a bubbling humidifying unit for humidifying by bubbling dry oxygen-enriched gas obtained from the pressure fluctuation type gas adsorption unit into humidifying water, and having a structure for absorbing external vibration. A humidifying section.

Hereinafter, the technical configuration and embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated one.

In the present invention, the electric riding device can be used to expand the activity range and the activity range of patients such as chronic respiratory failure patients who are receiving home oxygen therapy (HOT).
QL (Quality of Life) of these patients
From the viewpoint of increasing the driving cost, a driver license is not required.

An example of this type of electric riding device is an electric scooter (scooter) that can be used by the patient who is difficult to walk, such as the silver (elderly).
ter) or an electric wheelchair. In the present invention, it goes without saying that the electric scooter may be a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, or a four-wheeled vehicle. It is needless to say that an electric riding device such as the electric scooter, which does not require a driver's license, is preferable in view of the convenience of the user such as silver (elderly).

In the electric riding apparatus of the present invention, the power source is not limited to a battery (battery) type. For example, an electric type that can run by using electricity generated by a gasoline internal combustion engine, a gasoline internal combustion engine The meaning of the electric type should be understood in a broad sense, such as those that can be driven by using the electric drive engine together with the electric drive engine.

In the present invention, the oxygen concentrator described above is incorporated into an electric riding device that does not require a driver's license,
The concept of increasing L is as follows: (i) If the oxygen concentrator (fixed or mobile) for the room (home) is modified to a type that is dragged or pushed by the patient, excessive And the humidifying unit may not function properly due to external vibration, or the humidifying function may be greatly impaired when falling. (Ii). This type of home oxygen therapy (HOT) This is derived from the fact that not only the users of the passengers who require a driver's license for the receiving patient are limited, but also it is a problem to impose a high degree of driving operation on the patient. The electric riding apparatus of the present invention is constructed based on the above-described concept, and this point should be sufficiently noted.

Next, the technical features of the electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention will be described. The present invention employs an oxygen concentrator having a configuration different from the conventional one as an oxygen concentrator incorporated in the passenger device in order to supply a user with a safe and high-quality oxygen concentrated gas during traveling of the passenger device, In particular, since a special configuration is used as a humidity control method for the concentrated oxygen gas of the oxygen concentrator, this point will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed one.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an electric wiring diagram of the power supply section (X ₁ ) and the oxygen concentrator (A) of the electric riding apparatus (X). 3 and 4 show the relationship between the use mode of the oxygen concentrator (A) and the power supply unit, and FIG. 3 shows the mode when the oxygen concentrator (A) is used at home.
Shows an aspect when the oxygen concentrator (A) is mounted on the electric riding device (X).

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention comprises, as major components, a power supply section (X ₁ ), an oxygen concentrator (A), and wheels. It comprises a drive motor (M). Incidentally, shown in FIG. 1, the wheel X ₂ is driven by the motor (M), X ₃ is a handle, X ₄ is a brake pedal, X ₅ is a seat. In the present invention, although not shown, the brake pedal (X ₄ ) is provided near the handle (X ₃ ).
Needless to say, a manual brake bar may be provided in place of, or a manual accelerator bar, a manual speed change switch, or the like may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply section (X ₁ ) of the electric riding apparatus (X) of the present invention supplies electric energy to the oxygen concentrator (A) and the wheel driving motor (M). It is configured to do so. In FIG.
X ₁₁ is the main battery (main battery), X ₁₅ represents an auxiliary battery. In addition, X ₁₂ is the main / auxiliary battery (X _11,
X ₁₅ ) is charged by the external power supply unit X ₁₃ (including an AC / DC converter). In FIG. 2, X ₁₄ denotes a selector switch of the main / auxiliary battery. X ₁₅ is a control unit of the motor (M), X ₁₆
Represents X ₁ and A and connecting device (connector).

In the riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention, the oxygen concentrator (A) is used in such a manner that it can be detached (mounted) on a riding apparatus (X) such as an electric scooter or an electric wheelchair. Is what is done. 3 and 4 show electric wiring diagrams of the oxygen concentrator (A) and the power supply unit according to the usage of the oxygen concentrator (A). FIG. 3 shows the oxygen concentrator (A). FIG. 4 shows a case in which the device is used at home and the device is mounted on a passenger device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram (piping system diagram) of an oxygen concentrator (A) which is removably incorporated in the electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention. ). Oxygen concentrator (A) shown in FIG.
Is compared with the conventional oxygen concentrator (A ') described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 so that the produced oxygen-enriched gas can be humidified as easily understood from the comparison between the two figures. The configuration of the humidifying section (reference numeral B in the figure) is greatly different.
Further, the configuration of a control unit (reference numerals 71 and 72 in the figure) for controlling the humidification unit (B) in FIG.
8 is different. The other configuration is substantially the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals in FIG. 5 as those in FIG. 18 have the same meaning.

The humidifying section (B) shown in FIG. 5 has a desired number of water vapor permeable hollow fibers disposed in a container, and the inside of the hollow fibers is a dehumidifying zone (primary side) (B ₁ ) and the outside is Is configured as a humidification zone (secondary side) (B ₂ ) (see FIG. 6 described later), and may be hereinafter referred to as a dehumidification and humidification unit.

The dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) shown in FIG.
The control unit (7) for controlling the temperature is, for example, (i) a humidity sensor (71) for obtaining information on environmental relative humidity (RH), and (ii) a temperature sensor for obtaining information on environmental temperature. (72),
And supplying at least a portion of the dried oxygen-enriched gas produced in the sieve bed section (2) to the humidification zone (B ₂ ) side of the dehumidification and humidification section (B) based on the information from It is configured to control (humidify) humidity.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral (56) of the flow rate / pressure adjusting unit (5) of the oxygen-enriched gas indicates an oxygen flow indicator, and reference numeral (57) indicates a pressure switch. Reference symbol (C) indicates a supply path for supplying the oxygen-concentrated gas humidified as desired in the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) to the patient side. It goes without saying that the oxygen concentrator (A) shown in FIG. 5 is driven (started) using a power supply unit of an electric riding device (not shown).

As described above, the oxygen concentrator (A) incorporated in the electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
Is characterized in that it is composed mainly of a hollow fiber membrane type dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) and a pressure fluctuation type gas adsorption section (2) utilizing the PSA method. Another feature is that means for controlling the humidity control of the oxygen-enriched gas rationally and efficiently when the generated oxygen-enriched gas is supplied to the patient is incorporated.

With the configuration of the oxygen concentrator (A) described above,
The electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention is capable of stably providing oxygen with a desired humidification even if it vibrates during running, collides with an obstacle or falls down. The concentrated gas can be supplied to the user. This point
This cannot be expected from an oxygen concentrator (A ') employing a bubble system in purified water as a conventional humidity control system.

Here, another feature of the present invention described above, that is, the function of the control unit (7) capable of controlling the humidification of the oxygen-enriched gas to be produced rationally and efficiently will be described.

In the present invention, the control unit (7) for controlling the humidification of the oxygen-enriched gas is characterized in that the humidity of the oxygen-enriched gas is adjusted based on the following knowledge. (1). The relative humidity (RH) of the raw material air and the secondary side (humidifying side) of the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) using a water vapor permeable hollow fiber membrane for dehumidifying the raw material air. The humidity of the humidified oxygen-enriched gas obtained by passing the dry oxygen-enriched gas produced in the pressure-fluctuation-type gas adsorption section (2) has a stable relationship, in other words, a substantially proportional relationship. (In a substantially linear relationship). (2). From the viewpoint of the environmental temperature, in the above-mentioned apparatus system, for example, compared to when the room temperature is 25 ° C., (2) -1. (2) -2. When the ambient temperature is 35 ° C., the relative humidity of the humidified oxygen-enriched gas increases.

The finding (1) indicates that the environmental relative humidity (RH) is an important control factor in controlling the humidification of the oxygen-enriched gas. In addition, the finding (2) indicates that in controlling the humidification of the oxygen-enriched gas, the environmental temperature as well as the environmental relative humidity (RH) are important control factors. The importance of the latter finding (2) is that the sieve bed (gas adsorption unit)
When a predetermined amount of the oxygen-enriched gas produced in (2) is supplied to the secondary side (humidification zone) of the humidifying section (B), a switching operation of a valve (or a solenoid valve) for controlling the supply amount is performed by: i). When the environmental temperature is high, switch when the environmental relative humidity (RH) is low, or (ii). When the environmental temperature is low, when the environmental relative temperature (RH) is high. This suggests that the humidification can be adjusted reasonably and appropriately by switching.

The humidity control (humidification) of the oxygen-concentrated gas based on the above knowledge and based on the humidity sensor (71) and the temperature sensor (72) of the oxygen concentrator (A) shown in FIG.
Will be described in detail.

The outline of the oxygen concentrator (A) is as follows. (1). Two sieve beds (adsorption cylinders) filled with zeolite were used. The adsorption pressure is 0.85 to 1.2 kgf / c.
m ² and the discharge pressure were set to 0.6 kgf / cm ² . (2) As a dehumidifier and humidifier (B), a hollow fiber membrane type module SWC-M22-MS (manufactured by Asahi Glass Engineering Co., Ltd.)
A membrane air dryer (SUNSEP-W) was used.

For setting the environment of the experimental field, desired humidity and temperature were set in a constant temperature and humidity room. The humidity was measured by a humidity data processor HMI38 (manufactured by Vaisala).

In the experiment, an oxygen concentrator (A) having a sieve bed (two) containing a dehumidifying and humidifying unit (B) was housed in a constant-humidity and constant-temperature room. The relative humidity of the concentrated oxygen released from the apparatus while changing the relative humidity was measured by a humidity data processor HMI38. In addition, the discharge flow rate of the enzyme-enriched gas was set to 0.5 l / mi.
n, 1.0 l / min and 2.0 l / min.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for supplying a part of the flow rate (Y) of the dry oxygen concentrated gas to the humidifying zone (B ₂ ) of the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) to obtain a humidified oxygen concentrated gas. 1 shows a piping configuration of one embodiment. In other words, FIG. 6 shows, under the piping configuration shown, the concentrated oxygen gas in a dry state produced in a sieve bed (S / B) (2) and stored in a product tank (4). Predetermined flow rate (Y) set by flow meter
Shows how is distributed to each pipe by opening and closing operation of the valve (V). 7 to 1 described below.
The data indicated by 0 is obtained by turning on and off the valve (V) under the above piping conditions.

In FIG. 6, the valve (V) is ON (open).
When Y = Y ₁ + Y ₃ + Y ₄ , valve (V) is OFF
In the case of (closed), Y = Y ₁ + Y ₃ . The amount of the oxygen enriched gas Y ₁ is controlled by the internal diameter of the capillary tube M1 (ø1.0), oxygen-enriched gas flowing through here humidification zone (secondary side of the dehumidifying and humidifying portions of the hollow fiber membrane (B), It is humidified in B ₂ ). The amount of the oxygen-enriched gas of Y ₃ is determined by the capillary M3 (φ
The oxygen-concentrated gas flowing therethrough is controlled in a dry state. Y _4, the valve (V) is ON (open)
When the oxygen-concentrated gas flows, the capillary M4
It is controlled by the inner diameter of (φ1.0), and the oxygen-enriched gas flowing therethrough is also in a dry state.

Under the piping configuration shown in FIG. 6 and when the valve (V) is ON (open) / OFF (closed), a dry oxygen-enriched gas at a predetermined flow rate (Y) is supplied to each piping. The distribution is shown in Table 1 below.

[0054]

[Table 1]

FIG. 7 shows that the oxygen concentrator (A) is set in a constant temperature and humidity room at a temperature of 25 ° C., and only the relative humidity is changed in an environment of 25 ° C. (constant) while the relative humidity and the relative humidity are released from the apparatus. It is the result of having tested the relationship of the relative humidity of the oxygen concentrated gas performed. The ON / OFF of the valve (V) was manually switched. From this result, the valve (V) is turned on
It can be seen that the relative humidity of the oxygen-enriched gas released is lower when the valve is open (open) than when the valve V is off (closed). This is because the flow rates Y ₁ , Y
_3, the ratio of Y ₄ is because the changes, when the valve (V) is ON (open) the flow rate Y ₁ is reduced by the oxygen enriched gas was also dried in the flow rate Y ₄ flows of oxygen-enriched gas relative Humidity decreased. As can be seen from the above, the adjustment of the humidification of the released oxygen-enriched gas should be performed rationally by monitoring the relative humidification (RH) and linking the result to the opening and closing of the valve (V). Can be.

FIG. 8 shows that the valve (V) is an electromagnetic valve, the humidity sensor (71) is mounted near the air intake of the apparatus, and the relative humidity detected by the humidity sensor (71) is 50% RH. At this time, a command to switch the valve (V) is issued, and the switching of the solenoid valve is automatically performed. From this result, the valve (V) switches from OFF (closed) to ON (open) when the environmental relative humidity is 50% RH,
It can be seen that the relative humidity of the released oxygen-enriched gas can be rationally controlled. This is because the ratio of the flow rates Y ₁ , Y ₃ , and Y ₄ has changed as shown in Table 1 above. When the valve (V) is turned on (open), the flow rate Y ₁ decreases, and the flow rate Y ₁ The relative humidity of the oxygen-enriched gas is reduced by bypassing the humidified zone (B ₁ ) with the dried oxygen-enriched gas of _{No. 4} . As can be seen from the above description, switching the solenoid valve (V) when, for example, the humidity sensor (71) detects the environmental relative humidity of 50% is extremely difficult in adjusting the humidification of the released oxygen-enriched gas. It is valid.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the same test as in FIG. 7 except that the ambient temperature was 15 ° C. (FIG. 9) and 35 ° C. (FIG. 1).
0) shows the data obtained when the processing is performed. 9 to 1
The data indicated by 0 are as follows: (i) When the ambient temperature is 15 ° C., the relative humidity of the released oxygen-enriched gas is lower than at 25 ° C., which is the condition of FIG. 7, and (ii) When the environmental temperature is 35 ° C., the relative humidity of the released oxygen-enriched gas is higher than at 25 ° C., which is the condition of FIG. Therefore, in the switching operation (operation) of the solenoid valve (V), if the environmental temperature is low, it is set to switch when the environmental humidity is high, and if the environmental temperature is high, the environmental humidity is set lower. It can be seen that by setting to switch occasionally, the relative humidity of the released oxygen-enriched gas can be rationally adjusted.

Therefore, the temperature sensor (72) is mounted near the air intake of the oxygen concentrator (A), and the solenoid valve (V) is set according to the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor (72).
Command to switch the solenoid valve with a lower environmental relative humidity when the environmental temperature is high, or to switch the solenoid valve with a higher environmental relative humidity when the environmental temperature is low. It can be performed automatically and rationally under such instructions.

In the oxygen concentrator (A) applied to the electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator of the present invention, the configuration of the piping for adjusting the degree of humidity control (humidification) is the same as that shown in FIG. It is not limited, and various modifications are possible. FIG.
It is a figure which shows the piping for adjustment of the humidity control (humidification) degree of the 2nd aspect in an oxygen concentrator (A), and is a figure corresponding to said FIG. 6 mentioned above.

The humidity control (humidification) of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
In the piping arrangement for adjusting the degree, the control unit (7) commands opening and closing of the flow regulator (valve V) disposed in the main circuit.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the valve (V) is ON _{(open) Y = Y 5 + Y 6} + Y 7, the valve (V) is OFF
A Y = Y ₅ + Y ₆ when the (closed). Y ₅ is a capillary M
The oxygen-concentrated gas flowing therethrough is in a dry state. Y ₆ is controlled by the inner diameter of the capillary M6, and the oxygen-enriched gas flowing here is humidified in the humidification zone (secondary side, B ₂ ) of the hollow fiber membrane humidification unit (B). Y ₇ are also controlled by the inside diameter of the capillary M7, oxygen-enriched gas flowing here dehumidifying and humidifying portions of the hollow fiber membrane type humidifier zone (secondary side, B ₂₎ of (B) is humidified in.

FIG. 12 shows the humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) which is detachably incorporated in the electric riding apparatus (X) with the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
3 is another example. That is, FIG. 12 shows a humidifying section (B) of another mode different from the hollow fiber membrane type dehumidifying and humidifying section shown in FIG.

The humidifying section (B) shown in FIG. 12 is manufactured in the sheave bed section (2) and is in a dry state sent through the product tank (4) as shown in the figure. The oxygen-enriched gas is of a type in which the oxygen-concentrated gas is guided into purified water (W) filled in a container (B ₃ ), and is bubbled and humidified. A characteristic point of the humidifying section (B) shown in FIG. 12 is that the oxygen concentrator (A) is used for the riding apparatus (X).
When traveling with the container (B ₃ ), the container (B ₃ ) is swingably suspended and held by the holder (B ₄ ) to absorb vibrations such as external vibrations and maintain stable humidification. is there.

Under the configuration of the humidifying section (B) shown in FIG. 12, when the oxygen concentrator (A) is installed in the riding apparatus (X) and the riding apparatus (X) travels, stable humidification is performed. Humidity oxygen-enriched gas can be supplied to the patient. However, the bubbling type humidifying unit (B) using purified water (W) shown in FIG. 12 has a better humidifying ability than the dehumidifying and humidifying unit (B) using hollow fibers shown in FIGS. Needless to say, it is in the lower rank.

In the present invention, there are various modifications of the humidifying section (B) shown in FIG. For example, the container (B ₃ ) may be swingably supported by disposing a spring body (elastic body) around it. Also, instead of a method in which the oxygen-enriched gas in a dry state is introduced into purified water (W) and bubbled and humidified as shown in the figure, the oxygen-enriched gas is introduced above the water surface in the humidification vessel (B ₃ ) and Needless to say, a method (humidifying method) of humidifying with moisture may be adopted.

The electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator of the present invention has a high quality during riding by adding other technical constitutions in addition to the improvement of the humidifying section of the oxygen concentrator (A). The oxygen-concentrated gas may be supplied to the user safely and for a long time. Hereinafter, this point will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 13 shows an electric riding device (X) with an oxygen concentrator (A) according to the present invention, in which the oxygen concentrator (A) is connected to the electric riding device (X). And / or (2) is a view for explaining that it is configured so that it can be mounted via an anti-vibration mechanism.

As shown, the oxygen concentrator (A) comprises:
It is fixed via a fixed plate (100) and a spring body (101) made of a plate-like body or a vibration-absorbing or vibration-absorbing plate-like body. Further, the oxygen concentrator (A) is detachably held on the fixing plate (100) via a fixing tool (102). Needless to say, the fixing plate (100) and the spring body (101) constitute a vibration isolating mechanism.

In the present invention, the configuration in which the oxygen concentrator (A) is detachably attached to the electric riding apparatus (X) is such that the oxygen concentrator (A) can be used at home. is there. It also provides convenience for checking the oxygen concentrator (A) and the like. In addition, oxygen concentrator (A)
Is mounted on the electric riding apparatus (X) via a vibration isolating mechanism, which is useful for preventing damage or failure due to vibration, impact or the like during traveling. Still further, in the present invention, at least a part of components of the oxygen concentrator (A), for example, a sheave bed or the like is made of a vibration-proof (vibration-suppressing) material or supported by a vibration-proof element such as a spring. That is useful.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining that the oxygen concentrator (A) is provided with a waterproof mechanism. As shown, the oxygen concentrator (A) is waterproofed by a waterproof cover (103) to a desired portion of the electric riding device (X). The waterproof cover (103), electric riding device (X) of the seat (X ₅₎ of the disposed part the fixing pin (1
04) is rotatably supported.

In the present invention, the provision of a waterproofing mechanism on the whole or a part of the oxygen concentrator (A) prevents deterioration of zeolite (adsorbent) in the sieve bed portion due to moisture such as rain when traveling outdoors. Is important.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining that the electric riding apparatus (X) with the oxygen concentrator (A) of the present invention includes an auxiliary power supply (105).

In the present invention, in order for the oxygen concentrator (A) to be used safely and outdoors for a person who has undergone oxygen therapy for a long time, the safety must be maintained at a high level. As a countermeasure for this, the present invention switches to an auxiliary power supply (battery) (105) when the main power supply of the electric riding apparatus (X) is stopped due to a failure or the like, and aims at a long-term stable supply of oxygen-enriched gas.

FIG. 16 shows that an electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator (A) of the present invention is used for an auxiliary oxygen cylinder (10).
It is a figure explaining having 6).

When the main power supply or the auxiliary power supply of the electric riding apparatus (X) is stopped due to a failure or the like, oxygen gas is not supplied from the oxygen concentrator (A) to the user. In the present invention, in order to prevent the above-mentioned danger, the electric vehicle riding apparatus (X) is configured to include an auxiliary oxygen cylinder.

[0075]

According to the present invention, a person who uses an oxygen concentrator using the PAS method (pressure fluctuation type adsorption method) widely used as oxygen therapy and is a silver (elderly)
Provided is an electric riding device with an oxygen concentrator used by people who have difficulty walking such as patients and patients.

In the electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention, the type or the detachable type oxygen concentrator integrated with the electric riding apparatus, particularly, its humidity control section (humidifying section) has a specific configuration. This makes it possible for users to stably control the humidity even when the vehicle is running, tilting or overturning while driving an electric riding device such as an electric scooter or an electric wheelchair. An oxygen-enriched gas can be supplied.

In particular, in the case where the hollow fiber membrane type is used for the humidity control section (humidification section), the humidification (humidity control) type using conventional purified water is provided in the oxygen-enriched gas supply system. Can prevent the growth of bacteria and germs, and can supply a high-quality concentrated oxygen gas to the user.

The present invention can support prolonged outdoor activities in people receiving oxygen therapy,
It can contribute to improvement of L (Quality of Life).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric riding device (X) with an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is an electric wiring diagram of an electric riding device (X) and an oxygen concentrator (A).

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the oxygen concentrator (A) and electric wiring of an external power supply when the oxygen concentrator (A) is used at home.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the electric wiring of the oxygen concentrator (A) and the power supply unit when the oxygen concentrator (A) is mounted on the electric riding apparatus (X).

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram (pipe system diagram) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of the electric riding apparatus (X) with an oxygen concentrator of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram (piping diagram) of a first embodiment of a dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing first humidity control data of a dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG.

8 is a diagram showing second experimental data of the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing third experimental data of the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG.

10 is a diagram showing fourth experimental data of the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG.

11 is a block diagram (piping diagram) of a second embodiment of the dehumidifying and humidifying section (B) of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a humidifying section of another embodiment of the oxygen concentrator (A) of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a vibration isolating mechanism of the oxygen concentrator.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a waterproof mechanism of the oxygen concentrator.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an auxiliary power supply of the electric riding device with an oxygen concentrator.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an auxiliary oxygen cylinder of the electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a conventional oxygen concentrator for oxygen therapy (A ′).

18 is a block diagram of a conventional oxygen concentrator for oxygen therapy (A ′), and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

X ............... electric riding apparatus X ₁ ............... power unit X ₁₁ ............... main battery X ₁₂ ............... charger X ₁₃ ............... external power unit X ₁₄ ... ............ changeover switch X ₁₅ controller X ₁₆ ............... connector M ............... motor a ............... oxygen concentrator with motorized present invention ............... motor (M) oxygen concentrators A'............... oxygen concentrators for conventional oxygen therapy B ............... humidification of the riding device B ₁ ............... removal zone B ₂ ............... humidification zone B ₃ ... ............ container B ₄ ............... hanger retainer C ............... oxygen supply path W ............... purified water 1 ............... feed air into the patient's enriched gas (aIR) Pretreatment section 2 Sheave bed (S / B) section 3 Solenoid valve section 4 Product tank 5 Oxygen-enriched gas Flow rate and pressure adjusting section 6 Humidifying section 7 by a conventional bubbling method 7 Control section 100 Fixed plate 101 Fixed body 101 Spring body 102 Fixed Fixture 103… Waterproof cover 104… Fixing pin 105… Power battery for auxiliary 106… Oxygen cylinder for auxiliary

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // A61G 10/02 A61G 10/02 Z

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electric riding apparatus, wherein the electric riding apparatus is an oxygen concentrator driven by using a power supply unit, and has an oxygen concentrator having a humidifying unit. A motorized riding device equipped with an oxygen concentrator. 2. An oxygen concentrator comprising: (i) a water vapor permeable hollow system disposed in a container, wherein the inside of the hollow system is a dehumidification zone and the outside is a humidification zone. A dehumidifying and humidifying unit to be used; and (ii) a pressure fluctuation type gas adsorbing unit for preparing an oxygen-enriched gas by adsorbing and removing nitrogen gas from air dehumidified in the dehumidifying zone of the dehumidifying and humidifying unit. The electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein 3. An oxygen concentrator having a circuit for supplying a part of the dry oxygen-concentrated gas to a humidifying zone of a dehumidifying and humidifying unit in order to humidify the dried oxygen-concentrated gas obtained from the pressure-variable gas adsorption unit. An electric riding device with an oxygen concentrator according to claim 2. 4. An oxygen concentrator comprising: (i) a pressure-variable gas adsorber for adsorbing and removing nitrogen gas from air to prepare an oxygen-concentrated gas; and (ii). The electric type with an oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, further comprising a humidifying unit configured to humidify the obtained dried oxygen-enriched gas with humidifying water in a container, and a humidifying unit configured to absorb external vibration. Passenger equipment. 5. The electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator according to claim 4, wherein the humidifying section humidified by the humidifying water is configured to be swingable. 6. The electric riding device with an oxygen concentrator according to claim 2, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to be detachable from the electric riding device. 7. The electric riding apparatus with an oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein the electric riding apparatus is an electric scooter or an electric wheelchair for assisting a person with difficulty walking such as silver (elderly person).