JP2007037751A - Oxygen enricher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oxygen enricher with excellent maneuverability, which requires no waste water disposal. <P>SOLUTION: The oxygen enricher comprises an oxygen enrichment means 2 provided in a main body, a pump means 5 to suck oxygen-enriched air produced by the oxygen enrichment means 2 or air from a suction port and to discharge it from a discharge port 17, a heat exchange means 6 to condensate in an air flow channel from the pump means 5 to the discharge port 17, and an opening 8 to discharge the condensate. A high water absorbing material 8b with high airflow pressure loss is provided in a passage to the opening 8, and the controlling means 20 to switch a switch means 11 to air for closing an opening/closing means 12 on starting the pump means 5 is provided, which allows the water in the oxygen-enriched air to be efficiently discharged from a conduit other than the discharge port 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an oxygen enricher that supplies oxygen enriched air to a user.

  A conventional oxygen enricher of this type will be described. The main body of the oxygen enricher includes oxygen enrichment means for increasing the oxygen concentration in the air and pump means for supplying oxygen enriched air obtained by the oxygen enrichment means to the discharge means. The oxygen-enriching means is a so-called oxygen-enriched film, which can generate oxygen-enriched air by utilizing the property that oxygen is more likely to permeate than nitrogen in the air, but also has the property of easily permeating water vapor in air Therefore, oxygen-enriched air has a higher humidity than normal air. FIG. 4 shows a headset 43 that is set on the user's head, and the ejection means is disposed in an ejection port 47 provided in the headset 43. The oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means is condensed at the ambient temperature from the main body through the tube 44 to the discharge port 47, and the condensed water is stored in the tank 45.

Then, when the user sets the headset 43 on the head and turns on the power switch, the operation of the pump means is started, the outside air is sucked into the oxygen enrichment means, and the oxygen enriched air enters the tube 44. The oxygen-enriched air can be sucked from the discharge port 47 set at the mouth of the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Registered Utility Model No. 3096113

  However, in the conventional oxygen enricher, a tank for storing condensed water is required between the pump and the discharge port. This is because the oxygen-enriched film, which is an oxygen-enrichment means, permeates oxygen and moisture well. Since oxygen-enriched air contains a large amount of moisture, dew condensation occurs along the path to the discharge port. Although it occurs, it was necessary to reduce the blowing of water from the discharge port by storing the condensed water in the tank. When condensed water is accumulated in the tank, the user needs to dispose of it every time, and for the purpose of storing the condensed water, it is thicker than the headset tube, so it is not stable during use. Therefore, there is a problem that it is bulky when bundled even in storage after use.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and by making it possible to discharge condensed water without taking time and effort, it is possible to comfortably enrich oxygen by eliminating a tank that can cause the above-mentioned troublesomeness. It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent oxygen enricher capable of refreshing by sucking the chemical air.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, an oxygen enricher of the present invention includes a main body, oxygen enrichment means provided in the main body, a suction port for sucking outside air from the atmosphere, and the oxygen enrichment means. Pump means for sucking the obtained oxygen-enriched air or the outside air from the suction port and discharging the oxygen-enriched air or the outside air from the suction port from the discharge port through the air flow path, and from the pump means to the discharge port A heat exchanging means for condensing moisture in the air passage air, a water storage container disposed substantially below the heat exchanging means for storing the condensed water generated by the heat exchanging means, and discharging the condensed water in the water storage container Switching means for switching between the opening, oxygen-enriched air obtained by the oxygen enriching means or outside air from the suction port, and opening / closing means for opening and closing the air flow path to the discharge port And the operating time of the pump means Control means for controlling the load such as switching means, opening and closing means, and provided with opening and closing means for opening and closing the air flow path to the air flow path to the discharge port, and in a portion from the water storage container to the opening In addition to providing a material with high water absorption and high air flow pressure loss, the control means switches the switching means to the oxygen-enriched air side and opens the opening / closing means when the pump means is activated, or switches the switching means to the outside air side and switches. It is configured to perform either one of the control for closing the means, and the water in the oxygen-enriched air can be efficiently discharged from a path other than the discharge port.

  The present invention eliminates the need for a tank for storing condensed water, which has been conventionally required, and can provide an excellent oxygen enricher that can comfortably suck and refresh oxygen-enriched air.

  The first invention includes a main body, oxygen-enriching means provided in the main body, a suction port for sucking outside air from the atmosphere, and oxygen-enriched air obtained by the oxygen-enriching means or outside air from the suction port. Pump means for discharging the oxygen-enriched air or the outside air from the suction port from the discharge port through the air flow path, and heat exchange for condensing moisture in the air flow path air from the pump means to the discharge port Means, a water storage container that is disposed substantially below the heat exchanging means and stores the condensed water generated by the heat exchanging means, an opening for discharging the condensed water in the water storage container, and a gas sucked by the pump means Switching means for switching between oxygen-enriched air obtained by the enrichment means or outside air from the suction port, opening / closing means for opening and closing the air flow path to the discharge port, operating time and switching means for the pump means, opening and closing Control that controls the load of the means, etc. And opening / closing means for opening and closing the air flow path to the air flow path to the discharge port, and providing a material having high water absorption and high air flow pressure loss in a portion from the water storage container to the opening. The control means is configured such that when the pump means is started, the switching means is switched to the oxygen-enriched air side to open or close the switching means, or the switching means is switched to the outside air side to close the switching means. The water in the oxygen-enriched air can be efficiently discharged from a route other than the discharge port, and a conventional tank for storing condensed water is not required, and the oxygen-enriched air can be comfortably sucked and refreshed. An excellent oxygen enricher can be provided.

  In the second invention, in particular, the heat exchanging means of the first invention is provided with a cooling fan, and the control means is controlled so that the heat exchanging means is cooled in advance by operating the cooling fan before starting the pump means. Before starting the pump means, the cooling fan is operated and the heat exchange means is cooled in advance so that the moisture in the oxygen-enriched air can be efficiently removed immediately after the start of the oxygen enrichment operation. It is possible to cause condensation.

  In the third invention, in particular, the control means of either the first or second invention operates the cooling fan for a predetermined time after stopping the pump means to condense moisture in the air accumulated in the main body and to open the opening. It is configured to control to blow air to the part, and the cooling fan is operated for a predetermined time after stopping the pump means, and moisture in the air accumulated in the main body is condensed and blown to the opening, The evaporation of condensed water can be promoted.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the control means of any one of the first to third inventions operates the blower fan and the pump means for a predetermined time after the end of the oxygen enrichment operation, and switches the switching means to the outside air side to change the outside air. In this configuration, the outside air with low humidity is sucked in to condense and discharge the moisture in the air stored in the main body, and also drains it from the opening, thereby condensing water. Evaporation can be promoted.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises drainage opening / closing means for opening / closing an opening for draining condensed water, and the control means switches the switching means to the outside air side for switching. It is a person who is configured to control to open the drainage opening and closing means when performing control to close the means, so that oxygen-enriched air does not completely leak from the opening during the oxygen-enriched operation, The possibility of lowering the flow rate can be eliminated, and after the oxygen enrichment operation, evaporation of condensed water can be promoted using outside air.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the water storage container is provided with a water amount sensor, and the control means is configured to control the opening / closing of the drainage opening / closing means based on information from the water amount sensor. Based on the change in the opening and closing of the drainage opening / closing means, the drainage opening / closing means is closed when there is little condensed water, eliminating the possibility of leakage of oxygen-enriched air, and depending on the amount of condensed water when there is a lot of condensed water. The drainage opening / closing means is opened for efficient drainage.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the control means is configured to notify when the value of the water amount sensor exceeds a certain value and to stop the operation, and automatically discharges condensed water from the discharge port. Can be suppressed.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the water storage container is provided with a humidity sensor, and the control means is configured to control the opening and closing of the drainage opening and closing means based on information from the humidity sensor. Based on the change in the opening and closing of the drainage opening / closing means, the drainage opening / closing means is closed when there is little condensed water, eliminating the possibility of leakage of oxygen-enriched air, and depending on the amount of condensed water when there is a lot of condensed water. The drainage opening / closing means is opened for efficient drainage.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an oxygen enricher according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an oxygen enricher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the oxygen enricher main body (hereinafter referred to as the main body) 1 has oxygen enrichment means for increasing the concentration of oxygen in the air sucked into the main body 1 and generating so-called oxygen enriched air. An oxygen-enriched membrane unit 2 is installed inside. By passing through the oxygen-enriched membrane unit 2, the oxygen concentration of air is increased from 21% (about 79% nitrogen) before passing to about 30% (about 70% nitrogen).

  Also, the outside air sucked into the main body 1 by the pump means 5 from the intake port 3 provided on the back surface of the main body 1 passes through the oxygen-enriched membrane unit 2 and becomes oxygen-enriched air. The oxygen-enriched air discharged after being sucked by the pump means 5 is guided to the heat exchanging means 6 constituted by a spiral metal tube, and further opens / closes from the control means 20 via the water storage container 7. After the flow rate is restricted by the opening / closing means 12 driven by the drive signal c, the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 17 serving as a discharge port. The oxygen-enriched air discharged from the discharge port 17 can be sucked by the user.

  When the oxygen-enriched air passes through the heat exchanging means 6, heat exchange is performed in the metal tube, moisture in the oxygen-enriched air is condensed on the inner surface of the metal tube, and the condensed water flows to the water storage container 7 and is stored. . The lower portion of the water storage container 7 is connected to a connecting pipe 8a and has an opening 8 at its end. The inside of the connecting pipe 8a is a material 8b having a high water absorption such as a porous resin and a high air flow path pressure loss. For example, a porous resin sold under the registered trademark “Sunfine AQ” is filled. Therefore, the condensed water generated in the heat exchange means 6 and accumulated in the water storage container 7 is discharged from the opening 8 while penetrating through the porous portion of the material. Moreover, the heat exchange means 6 is provided with a cooling fan 15, can improve the efficiency of heat exchange, and can condense more moisture in the oxygen-enriched air.

  Further, a suction port for sucking outside air from the atmosphere is provided on the back surface of the main body 1 similarly to the suction port 3, and is connected to the pump unit 5 through a switching unit 11. During the oxygen enrichment operation, the suction port 4 side is closed and the outside air is sucked from the suction port 3, but when the switching means 11 is switched to the suction port 4 side, the outside air from the atmosphere is sucked into the pump means 5 as it is. It has become. That is, the switching means 11 switches the flow path of the air flowing through the main body, and is constituted by, for example, an electromagnetic valve. As described above, the switching means 11 switches between the suction port 3 and the suction port 4 as the air sucked by the pump unit 5. In the case of the suction port 3, the air sucked by the pump means 5 is oxygen-enriched air, and in the case of the suction port 4, the air sucked by the pump means 5 is the outside air itself.

  On the other hand, the opening / closing means 12 provided between the discharge port 17 and the water storage container 7 is opened when the air sucked by the pump means 5 is oxygen-enriched air, that is, during the oxygen-enriched operation, and when it is outside air, that is, during the air-blowing operation. close. By closing the switching means 11 during the air blowing operation, the air pressure in the air flow path is increased, and the discharge of condensed water from the opening 8 is promoted.

  The control means 20 controls loads such as the pump means 5, the switching means 11, and the opening / closing means 12. Next, the operation will be described together with the control of the control means 20.

  First, when an operation switch (not shown) is turned on, the control means 20 activates the pump means 5 and controls the switching means 11 to the suction port 4 side and closes the opening / closing means 12. As a result, outside air is sucked from the suction port 4, the pressure in the air flow path in the main body 1 extending from the suction port 4 to the discharge port 17 increases, accumulates in the water storage container 7, and permeates and discharges through the material 8 b in the connecting pipe 8 a. We will accelerate the discharge of condensed water. At the same time, the control means 20 operates the cooling fan 15 to cool the path of the heat exchanging means 6 before this oxygen enrichment operation. It is possible to condense moisture.

  When a built-in timer unit (not shown) cuts a predetermined time, the control means 20 switches the switching means 11 to the intake port 3 side and opens the opening / closing means 12. As a result, the air sucked from the intake port 3 is oxygen-enriched by the oxygen-enriched membrane unit 2 and is discharged from the discharge port 17 after moisture is removed by the heat exchange means 6.

  Next, when the oxygen enrichment operation is completed after a predetermined time elapses, the control means 20 continues to operate the blower fan 15 for a predetermined time to condense moisture in the air accumulated in the main body. The blown air is applied to the connecting pipe 8a to promote the evaporation of the condensed water. Further, in addition to the operation of the cooling fan 15, the pump means 5 is also operated for a predetermined time, the switching means 11 is opened to the suction port 4 side, and the outside air is sucked as it is to obtain a material 8b having high water absorption in the connecting pipe 8a. By directly blowing the air, it is possible to promote the evaporation of the condensed water and increase the atmospheric pressure in the path, thereby promoting the discharge of the condensed water from the opening 8. Here, if the material 8b having high water absorption is directly exposed to the outside air (the connection pipe is eliminated and only the material 8b is used), the evaporation promoting effect is further improved.

  When a predetermined time elapses, the control means 20 stops the pump means 5 and stops energization of the switching means 11 and the opening / closing means 12 to stop the operation.

  In the above description, the control means 20 has been described by taking as an example a case where the switching means 11 is switched to the suction port 4 side and the opening / closing means 12 is closed when the pump means 5 is activated. It is also possible to perform control for switching to the 3 side and opening / closing means 12, at least one of these controls may be performed, or a switch that allows the user to select these controls is provided. It may be.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment, which is different from the first embodiment in that a drain opening / closing means 13 is added to the drainage connection pipe 8a. Omitted.

  In this embodiment, the control means 20 opens and closes the drain opening / closing means 13 before the oxygen enrichment operation, but closes the drain opening / closing means 13 when the oxygen enrichment operation starts. As a result, in the first embodiment, the oxygen-enriched air may leak through the material 8b during the oxygen-enriched operation, but this is eliminated and the oxygen-enriched air can be used efficiently.

  On the other hand, at the same time as prevention of leakage of the oxygen-enriched air, the condensed water is not drained and accumulates in the water storage container 7, but the control means 20 causes the condensed water to flow out of the water storage container 7 and blow out from the discharge port 17. The operation time is set to stop the oxygen enrichment operation before starting.

  Further, since the drainage opening / closing means 13 is opened in addition to the operation of the first embodiment when the pump means 5 is activated, the condensed water can be discharged efficiently as in the first embodiment.

  Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the water storage container 7 is provided with a water amount sensor 21, and the control means 20 is based on the information from the water amount sensor 21 and the drainage opening / closing means 13. Change the degree of opening and closing. For example, the drainage opening / closing means 13 is opened when the amount of water exceeds a specified value, and is closed otherwise. Thereby, since the valve is opened and drainage is performed only when necessary, confidentiality can be maintained. Alternatively, if the drainage opening / closing means 13 can be opened and closed in multiple stages, the drainage can be drained as necessary by opening it in proportion to the humidity.

  Further, when the amount of dew condensation is larger than the amount of waste water, the water level of the dew condensation water rises in the water storage container 7 and water is ejected from the discharge port 17. To avoid this phenomenon, a signal from the water amount sensor 21 is used. When the control means 20 takes in and the water level becomes equal to or higher than a certain value, for example, it is notified by an informing means (not shown) constituted by an LED and the operation is stopped.

(Embodiment 4)
The structure of the oxygen enricher in Embodiment 4 is demonstrated using FIG.

  Although the basic configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment, the water storage container 7 is provided with a humidity sensor 22, and the control means 20 changes the opening / closing degree of the drainage opening / closing means 13 based on information from the humidity sensor. For example, the drainage opening / closing means 13 is opened when the humidity exceeds a specified value, and is closed otherwise. Thereby, since drainage is performed only when necessary, the possibility of leaking oxygen-enriched air can be completely eliminated.

  Further, by storing the humidity and the open / close frequency of the drainage opening / closing means 13 in the storage means 23 realized by, for example, a non-volatile memory, the control means 20 receives a signal from the humidity sensor 22 and refers to the storage means 23. Accordingly, the degree of opening and closing of the drainage opening / closing means 13 can be controlled, so that the condensed water accumulated can be minimized, and the capacity of the water storage container 7 can be reduced.

  As described above, the oxygen enricher according to the present invention evaporates and drains condensed water through a highly water-absorbing material, eliminates the need for a conventional tank for storing condensed water, and comfortably releases oxygen. It is possible to provide an excellent oxygen enricher capable of sucking and refreshing enriched air.

Configuration block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Configuration block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Configuration block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Configuration diagram of headset in conventional oxygen enricher

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Oxygen enrichment means 5 Pump means 6 Heat exchange means 7 Water storage container 8 Opening part 8b Material 11 Switching means 12 Opening and closing means 13 Drainage opening and closing means 17 Discharge port 20 Control means 21 Water quantity sensor 22 Humidity sensor

Claims (8)

A main body, oxygen-enriching means provided in the main body, a suction port for sucking outside air from the atmosphere, oxygen-enriched air obtained by the oxygen-enriching means or air flow path for sucking outside air from the suction port A pump unit that discharges the oxygen-enriched air or outside air from the suction port through the discharge port, a heat exchange unit that condenses moisture in the air flow path air from the pump unit to the discharge port, and the heat exchange A water storage container disposed substantially below the means for storing the dew condensation water generated by the heat exchange means, an opening for discharging the dew condensation water in the water storage container, and a gas sucked by the pump means is obtained by the oxygen enrichment means. Switching means for switching between oxygen-enriched air or outside air from the suction port, opening / closing means for opening / closing the air flow path to the discharge port, control of operating time of the pump means, switching means, switching means, etc. Control means for performing In addition to providing an opening and closing means for opening and closing the air flow path to the air flow path to the discharge port, a material having high water absorption and high air flow pressure loss is provided in a portion from the water storage container to the opening, and the control means includes An oxygen enricher configured to perform either one of a control for switching the switching means to the oxygen-enriched air side to open the opening and closing means or a control for switching the switching means to the outside air and closing the switching means when the pump means is started. 2. The oxygen enricher according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange means includes a cooling fan, and the control means controls the heat exchange means to be cooled in advance by operating the cooling fan before starting the pump means. . The oxygen enricher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means is configured to control the operation of the cooling fan for a predetermined time after the pump means is stopped. 4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the blower fan and the pump unit for a predetermined time after the end of the oxygen enrichment operation, and to switch the switching unit to the outside air side so as to suck the outside air as it is. The oxygen enricher according to claim 1. A drain opening / closing means for opening / closing an opening for draining condensed water, and the control means controls to open the drain opening / closing means when controlling the switching means to switch to the outside air side and close the switching means; The oxygen enricher according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The oxygen enricher according to claim 5, wherein the water storage container includes a water amount sensor, and the control means controls opening / closing of the drainage opening / closing means based on information from the water amount sensor. 8. The oxygen enricher according to claim 7, wherein the control means notifies that the value of the water amount sensor is equal to or greater than a certain value and stops the operation. 6. The oxygen enricher according to claim 5, wherein the water storage container includes a humidity sensor, and the control means controls opening / closing of the drainage opening / closing means based on information from the humidity sensor.

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