JP2005114655A - Flowmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the stopping of a fluid flow caused by a malfunctioning stopper or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The flowmeter comprises: a flowmeter main body 10; an inlet 12; an outlet 14; an inflow channel 16 through which the fluid flowing from the inlet 12 flows; an outflow channel 18 through which the fluid flowing from the outlet 14 flows; a communication chamber 20 which allows communication between the inflow channel 16 and the outflow channel 18; a needle member 22 provided in the communication chamber 20, having a tapered section 22A tapering toward either the inflow channel 16 or the outflow channel 18, and is capable of approaching to or retreating from either the inflow channel 16 or the outflow channel 18 after the insertion of the tapered section 22A into either inflow channel 16 or the outflow channel 18; and a control member 24 which controls the insertion of the tapered section 22A so that when the tapered section 22A is inserted into either the inflow channel 16 or the outflow channel 18 to the deepest extent, the tapered section 22A is not in contact with an edge 20A of either the inflow channel 16 or the outflow channel 18, into which the tapered section 22A is inserted, on the side of the communication chamber 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow meter connected to, for example, a piping outlet of a terminal that supplies oxygen provided in each hospital room in a hospital.

  Conventionally, in hospitals, since it is necessary to supply oxygen to patients, piping outlets of terminals that discharge oxygen are installed in each hospital room, and oxygen is supplied to each piping from an oxygen supply source. ing. Each pipe outlet is connected to a flow meter capable of changing the normal oxygen outflow rate. As shown in FIG. 11, the conventional flow meter includes a flow meter main body 60, an inlet 62 through which oxygen can flow into the flow meter main body 60, an outlet 64 through which oxygen in the flow meter main body 60 can flow out, The inflow path 66 in which oxygen flowing in from the inlet 62 flows, the outflow path 68 in which oxygen flowing out from the outflow port 64 flows, and the communication chamber 70 in which the inflow path 66 and the outflow path 68 communicate with each other are different in diameter. A plurality of orifices 72 are formed continuously in the circumferential direction, and a dial knob that rotates the disk body 74 via a disk body 74 provided in the communication chamber 70 and a rotation shaft 76 provided at the center of the disk body 74. 78 (Patent Document 1).

  An inflow nozzle 80 that forms a part of the inflow port 62 and the inflow path 66 is provided on the distal end side of the flow meter main body 60, and the inflow nozzle 80 serves as a pipe outlet (not shown) of a terminal from which oxygen flows out. Connected. In addition, a pressure reducing device 82 for reducing the oxygen flowing in from the inflow port 62 is provided in the inflow path 66 on the distal end side of the flow meter body 60, and the high pressure oxygen flowed in from the inflow port 62 by the pressure reducing device 82. Is reduced in pressure and sent to the communication chamber 70. The communication chamber 70 is formed in a cylindrical hollow shape parallel to the flow meter main body 60, and is provided substantially at the center of the flow meter main body 60. An outflow nozzle 84 that forms part of the outflow port 64 and the outflow path 68 is provided on the side of the flow chamber 70 of the flow meter main body 60. The outflow nozzle 84 is connected to a pipe (not shown) or the like. Connected to the patient.

  The rotation of the dial knob 78 is controlled so as to be stopped at a predetermined angle by a stopper mechanism 86 provided on the inside of the dial knob 78, and any one of the orifices 72 provided on the disk at a position stopped by the stopper mechanism 86. And the outflow passage 68 are configured to be aligned. Therefore, since each orifice 72 has a different diameter, the dial knob 78 is turned and stopped at a predetermined position by the stopper mechanism 86, whereby the flow rate flowing through the flow meter can be adjusted.

JP 2002-5720 A

  However, in such a conventional flow meter, oxygen is caused to flow by aligning the orifice 72 formed in the disc body 74 and the outflow path 68, so that the orifice 72 and the outflow path 68 are not connected due to a failure of the stopper mechanism 86. When the dial knob 78 stops at a position that does not match, there is a problem that oxygen does not flow through the flow meter and oxygen is not supplied to the patient.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the flowmeter which can prevent that a fluid stops flowing during the flow of the fluid by troubles, such as a stopper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flow meter main body, an inflow port through which fluid can flow into the flow meter main body, an outflow port through which fluid in the flow meter main body can flow out, and the inflow port. An inflow path through which the fluid flowing in from the fluid flows, an outflow path through which the fluid flowing out from the outlet flows, a communication chamber in which the inflow path and the outflow path communicate with each other, and the communication chamber, A needle member that tapers toward either the inflow path or the outflow path, and the tapered portion is inserted into either the inflow path or the outflow path, and can be advanced or retracted with respect to the needle member; When the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow passage or the outflow passage, the tapered portion contacts the edge of the communication chamber side of either the inflow passage or the outflow passage where the tapered portion is inserted. Do not insert the taper part A control member for controlling a flow meter characterized by comprising a.

  As described above, the flowmeter according to the present invention is configured such that the tapered portion of the needle member is inserted into the inflow path or the outflow path and moves forward and backward with respect to the inflow path or the outflow path. The amount of oxygen flowing from the inflow path into the communication chamber is adjusted by changing the area of the gap formed between the paths. Therefore, even if a problem occurs in the advance / retreat operation of the needle member with respect to the inflow path or the outflow path, the amount of the fluid flowing in the flowmeter does not become zero during the fluid flow.

  Further, in the flowmeter according to the present invention, when the taper portion is inserted most into either the inflow passage or the outflow passage, the communication of either the inflow passage or the outflow passage into which the taper portion is inserted. Since the control member for controlling the insertion of the tapered portion is provided so that the tapered portion is not in contact with the edge on the chamber side, the tapered portion of the needle member is not worn and the durability can be improved. .

  The flowmeter according to the present invention preferably further comprises control means for controlling the advancement / retraction of the needle member so as to stop the needle member at a plurality of predetermined positions. The amount of fluid flowing through the flow meter can be adjusted to a plurality of predetermined amounts.

  In the flowmeter according to the present invention, the control member includes a protrusion that protrudes from an inner surface of the communication chamber that communicates with either the inflow path or the outflow path into which the taper portion is inserted. When the portion is inserted most into either the inflow passage or the outflow passage, the tapered portion does not contact the edge of the communication chamber side of either the inflow passage or the outflow passage where the tapered portion is inserted. It is preferable that the protruding member protrudes to the extent that it can support the needle member. At this time, the protruding member is centered on one of the inflow path and the outflow path in which the tapered portion of the communication chamber is inserted. It is preferable that it is formed in a circular shape. Further, the control member includes a protruding portion protruding from the needle member, and the protruding portion is inserted when the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow path or the outflow path. An inner surface of the communication chamber that communicates with either the inflow passage or the outflow passage into which the tapered portion is inserted, so that the tapered portion does not contact the edge of the inflow passage and the outflow passage on the communication chamber side. It is preferable that the protrusion protrudes to such an extent that it can come into contact. At this time, the protruding member is preferably formed in a circular shape centered on the tapered portion.

  Further, in the flowmeter according to the present invention, the protruding member is in a state in which the protruding portion is dense on the inner surface of the needle member or the communication chamber when the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow path or the outflow path. It is preferable to be configured so that the needle member moves in one of the inflow path and the outflow path into which the tapered portion is inserted, so that the needle member flows in the flowmeter. The amount of fluid can be zero.

  Furthermore, in the flowmeter according to the present invention, the protruding member has a clearance from the inner surface of the needle member or the communication chamber when the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow path or the outflow path. It is preferable that the needle member is configured to contact in a state where the needle member is moved most to either the inflow path or the outflow path in which the tapered portion is inserted. Fluid can always flow through the flowmeter.

  Further, the flow meter according to the present invention preferably further includes an urging means for urging the needle part and either the inflow path or the outflow path into which the tapered part is inserted, By further providing such an urging means, it is possible to minimize the play between the members such as the needle portion that occurs during assembly of the flow meter, and to further quantify the flow rate flowing through the flow meter. Can do.

  As described above, according to the flow meter according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flow meter capable of preventing the fluid from being stopped during the fluid flow due to a malfunction such as a stopper.

  Next, a first embodiment of a flow meter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a flow meter according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a communication chamber portion of the flow meter according to the first embodiment. The flow meter according to the first embodiment includes a flow meter main body 10, an inlet 12 through which oxygen can flow into the flow meter main body 10, an outlet 14 through which oxygen in the flow meter main body 10 can flow out, and an inlet 12. Provided in the communication chamber 20, an inflow passage 16 in which oxygen flowing in from the outlet flows, an outflow passage 18 in which oxygen flowing out from the outlet 14 flows, a communication chamber 20 in which the inflow passage 16 and the outflow passage 18 communicate with each other. In addition, the needle member 22 that has a tapered portion 22A that tapers toward the inflow passage 16 and whose front end side is inserted into the inflow passage 16 and can advance and retreat with respect thereto, and inflow of the inner surface 20B at the front end of the communication chamber 20 A projecting member 24 that is provided over the entire periphery of the path 16 and projects toward the needle member 22.

  The flow meter main body 10 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an inflow nozzle 26 that forms part of the inflow port 12 and the inflow path 16 is provided on the tip side thereof. This inflow nozzle 26 is connected to a pipe outlet (not shown) of the terminal through which oxygen flows out. In addition, a pressure reducing device 28 that depressurizes oxygen introduced from the inlet 12 is provided in the inflow path 16 on the distal end side of the flowmeter main body 10, and the high pressure oxygen introduced from the inlet 12 by the pressure reducing device 28. Is reduced in pressure and sent to the communication chamber 20. The communication chamber 20 is formed in a cylindrical hollow shape parallel to the flow meter main body 10, and is provided substantially at the center of the flow meter main body 10. An outflow nozzle 30 that forms part of the outflow port 14 and the outflow path 18 is provided on the side of the flow chamber 20 of the flow meter body 10, and this outflow nozzle 30 is connected via a pipe (not shown). Connected to the patient. An inflow path 16 is formed at the center of the inner surface 20B at the distal end of the communication chamber 20, and a female screw portion 20A is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the communication chamber 20 on the proximal end side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the needle member 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a tapered portion 22A and a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the communication chamber 20, and supports the proximal end of the tapered portion 22A at the center of the cylindrical portion. 22B, an intermediate portion 22C that is continuously provided on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 22B, and is formed in a columnar shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the communication chamber 20, and a proximal end side of the intermediate portion 22C. A male screw portion 22D having a male screw threadedly engaged with the female screw portion 20A of the communication chamber 20 on the outer peripheral surface, and a base end side of the male screw portion 22D. The male screw portion 22D has the same diameter as the distal end portion 22B. And a base end portion 22E formed in a columnar shape. Among these, a tapered portion 22A, a distal end portion 22B, an intermediate portion 22C, and a male screw portion 22D are accommodated in the communication chamber 20. A rubber packing 32 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 22 </ b> C, and the rubber packing 32 can prevent oxygen in the communication chamber 20 from leaking to the proximal end portion 22 </ b> E side of the needle member 22. Further, a spring 34 is provided between the base end surface of the male screw portion 22D and the inner surface 20C on the base end side of the communication chamber 20, and the needle member 22 is urged toward the front end side by the spring 34. In this way, by biasing the needle member 22 toward the distal end side, play between the female threaded portion 20A of the communication chamber 20 and the male threaded portion 22D of the needle member 22 can be eliminated, and a more quantitative flow rate measurement can be performed. Make it possible.

  A dial knob 36 that is rotatably attached to the proximal end side of the flow meter body 10 is provided at the proximal end portion 22E of the needle portion 22. The dial knob 36 is fixed to the needle member 22 by a screw 38. Therefore, when the dial knob 36 is rotated, the needle member 22 is also rotated. The portion 10A where the dial knob 36 on the proximal end side of the flow meter main body 10 is provided with a step so as to have a smaller diameter than the distal end side thereof. The small diameter portion 10A includes the flow meter main body 10A. A pair of holes 38, 38 formed toward the center of each other are formed. A control ball 40 for controlling the rotation of the dial knob 36 is provided in the hole 38, and the control ball 40 is biased to the outside, that is, the dial knob 36 side by a spring 42 provided in the hole 38. . A plurality of grooves 44 into which the control balls 40 can be fitted are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the dial knob 36. Therefore, when the dial knob 36 is rotated, the control ball 40 fitted in the groove 44 of the dial knob 36 is once detached from the groove 44 and fitted in another adjacent groove 44, and the dial knob 36 is rotated. Suppress. As the dial knob 36 rotates, the needle member 22 also rotates, and the needle member 22 moves to the distal end side or the proximal end side along the communication chamber 20 by the engagement of the female screw portion 20A and the male screw portion 22D. Due to the movement in the communication chamber 20, the tapered portion 22 </ b> A moves relative to the inflow passage 16, and changes the area of the gap formed between the tapered portion 22 </ b> A and the inflow passage 16. From this, the amount of oxygen flowing into the communication chamber 20 is adjusted. In the flow meter according to the first embodiment, since the rotation of the dial knob 36 is controlled by the control ball 40, the amount of oxygen flowing in the flow meter has a plurality of predetermined values. A numerical value based on a plurality of predetermined oxygen amounts is displayed on the base end side of the dial knob 36 (not shown), and a desired oxygen amount is caused to flow by turning the dial knob 36 in accordance with this numerical value. be able to.

  The member 41 constituting the inner surface 20B at the front end of the communication chamber 20 and the inflow passage 16 is configured to prevent air from leaking to the upstream side by interposing a rubber packing 43 on the peripheral surface, and the front end side thereof. It is urged | biased by the base end side with the spring 45 provided in. A circular groove 46 centering on the inflow path 16 is formed around the inflow path 16 of the inner surface 20B at the tip of the communication chamber 20, and the groove 46 is configured by a ring-shaped rubber packing. The protruding member 24 is fitted in a state where a part thereof protrudes toward the communication chamber 20. As shown in FIG. 3, when the tip surface of the tip portion 22B of the needle member 22 contacts the protruding member 24 in a state of being slightly pressed against the protruding member 24, that is, when the protruding member 24 is in close contact with the protruding member 24, the tapered portion 22A It protrudes to such an extent that it does not contact the edge 16A on the 16 communication chamber 20 side. At this time, since the distal end portion 22B of the needle member 22 and the protruding member 24 are in close contact with each other, oxygen does not flow from the inflow path 16 into the communication chamber 20, and therefore flows through the flow meter according to the first embodiment. The amount of oxygen can be reduced to zero. In particular, since the member 41 is biased to the proximal end side by the spring 45, the distal end portion 22B of the needle member 22 and the protruding member 24 can be brought into closer contact with each other, and the amount of flowing oxygen can be surely reduced to zero. Can do.

  Thus, even when the amount of oxygen flowing through the flow meter according to the first embodiment is zero, the taper portion 22A of the needle member 22 does not contact the edge of the inflow path 16, so the needle member 22 The tapered portion 22A is not worn, and the durability can be improved.

  Further, the flow meter according to the first embodiment changes the area of the gap formed between the tapered portion 22A of the needle member 22 and the inflow passage 16 to change the amount of oxygen flowing from the inflow passage 16 into the communication chamber 20. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the control ball 40 with respect to the dial knob 36, for example, the elasticity of the spring 42 is lost, the amount of oxygen flowing in the flow meter is 0 during the flow of oxygen. Never become.

  Next, a second embodiment of the flowmeter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the first embodiment, the flow meter according to the second embodiment includes a circular groove 46 and a ring-shaped protruding member 24 fitted therein around the inflow path 16 of the inner surface 20B at the tip of the communication chamber 20. Instead, a projecting portion 50 is formed around the inflow path 16 on the distal end side 20B of the communication chamber 20 in a circular shape centering on the inflow path 16 and projecting into the communication chamber 20. . The protruding portion 50 protrudes to the extent that the tapered portion 22A does not contact the edge 16A on the communication chamber 20 side of the inflow channel 16 when the distal end surface of the distal end portion 22B of the needle member 22 is in close contact with the protruding portion 50. Yes.

  Next, a third embodiment of the flowmeter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the flow meter according to the third embodiment, a notch 52 is formed in a part of the protruding portion 50 in the second embodiment. By forming the notch 52 in this way, even when the amount of oxygen flowing through the flow meter is minimized, a very small amount of oxygen can flow.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the flowmeter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Unlike the flowmeters according to the first to third embodiments, the flowmeter according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a protruding member 53 on the needle member 22. That is, the peripheral surface of the tip 22B of the needle member 22 is formed in a tapered shape as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and a groove 54 is formed over the entire circumference in the vicinity of the tip. 54 is embedded with a protruding member 53 made of a ring-shaped rubber packing. The groove 54 has a depth that slightly protrudes in the radial direction when the protruding member 53 is embedded. Further, in the vicinity of the communication portion of the inflow passage 16 of the inner surface 20B at the distal end of the communication chamber 20, a recess 20C is formed in a tapered shape so that the tapered surface of the distal end portion 22B of the needle member 22 faces. In the fourth embodiment, the diameter of the proximal end of the tapered portion 22 </ b> A of the needle member 22 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the straight inflow passage 16. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the tapered portion 22 </ b> A of the needle member 22 does not contact the edge 16 </ b> A of the inflow path 16 even when the tapered surface of the tip 22 </ b> B of the needle member 22 contacts the tapered surface of the recess 20 </ b> C. At this time, since the projecting member 53 is in close contact with the tapered surface of the recess 20C, the amount of oxygen supplied from the inflow path 16 into the communication chamber 20 can be reduced to zero.

  Further, in the flow meter according to the fourth embodiment, a memory 55 indicating the flow rate in the flow meter is displayed on the surface on the base end side of the dial knob 36 as shown in FIG. On the tip side, a step is formed so that the outer diameter becomes smaller. On the outside of the small diameter portion 36A, a cover member 56 that covers the small diameter portion 36A and is continuously formed from the outer peripheral surface of the flowmeter main body is provided. The cover member 56 is formed with a hole 57 that communicates with the dial knob 36. A memory 58 indicating the flow rate flowing through the flow meter is displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 36A of the dial knob 36. As shown in FIG. 7, the memory 58 is arranged in a spiral from the base end side so that the flow rate of oxygen flowing through the hole 57 of the cover member 56 can be displayed. That is, as described in the flow meter according to the first embodiment, when the dial knob 36 is turned, the needle member 22 advances and retreats, so that the dial knob 36 also advances and retracts accordingly, but in the fourth embodiment, the dial knob. Since the memory 58 is spirally displayed on the peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 36A of the 36, the flow rate of oxygen flowing through the flow meter from the hole 57 of the cover member 56 can be recognized.

It is a front sectional view of the 1st example of the flow meter concerning the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the part of the communication room of the flow meter concerning the 1st example. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 2 in the state where the needle member moved most to the inflow way side. It is an expanded sectional view of the part of the communication room of the 2nd example of the flow meter concerning the present invention. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 4 in the state where the needle member moved most to the inflow way side. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 5 of 3rd Example of the flowmeter which concerns on this invention. It is a front sectional view of the 4th example of a flow meter concerning the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the part of the communication room of the flow meter concerning the 4th example. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 8 in the state where the needle member moved most to the inflow way side. It is a left view of the flow meter concerning the 4th example. It is front sectional drawing of the conventional flowmeter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flowmeter main body 12 Inlet 14 Outlet 16 Inflow path 18 Outflow path 20 Communication chamber 22 Needle member 22A Taper part 24 Projection part

Claims (7)

A flow meter main body, an inflow port through which fluid can flow into the flow meter main body, an outflow port through which fluid in the flow meter main body can flow out, an inflow path through which the fluid flowing in from the inflow port flows, An outflow path through which the fluid flowing out from the outflow port flows, a communication chamber in which the inflow path and the outflow path communicate with each other, and a taper toward either the inflow path or the outflow path provided in the communication chamber A needle member that is inserted into one of the inflow path and the outflow path, and that can advance and retreat with respect to the taper part, and the taper portion is either the inflow path or the outflow path. A control member that controls insertion of the tapered portion so that the tapered portion does not contact the edge of the communication chamber side of either the inflow path or the outflow path in which the tapered portion is inserted when the taper portion is most inserted. And provided with Flowmeter to be. 2. The flow meter according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for controlling the advance / retreat operation of the needle member so as to stop the needle member at a plurality of predetermined positions. The control member includes a protrusion that protrudes from an inner surface of the communication chamber that communicates with either the inflow path or the outflow path in which the tapered portion is inserted, and the protrusion includes the taper portion that is in the inflow path and the outflow path. The needle member is supported so that the tapered portion does not contact the edge of the communication chamber side of either the inflow passage or the outflow passage where the tapered portion is inserted when the taper portion is most inserted into one of the passages. 3. The flowmeter according to claim 1, wherein the flowmeter protrudes to such an extent that it can be formed. The control member includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the needle member, and the protruding portion is inserted into the tapered portion when the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow path or the outflow path. Abutting on the inner surface of the communication chamber communicating with either the inflow passage or the outflow passage into which the tapered portion is inserted so that the tapered portion does not contact the edge of the communication chamber side of either the inflow passage or the outflow passage. The flowmeter according to claim 1, wherein the flowmeter protrudes to the extent that it can be used. The protruding member is configured to be in close contact with the inner surface of the needle member or the communication chamber when the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow path or the outflow path. The flow meter according to claim 3 or 4. The protruding member is configured to be in contact with an inner surface of the needle member or the communication chamber with a gap when the tapered portion is inserted most into either the inflow path or the outflow path. The flow meter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein The urging means for urging the needle portion and any one of the inflow passage and the outflow passage into which the tapered portion is inserted is further provided. Flowmeter.

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