JP2010017476A - Compressor, and oxygen concentrator using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compressor capable of being substantially made small in size miniaturized and light in weight, and being simultaneously made low in noise and vibration, and to provide an oxygen concentrator. <P>SOLUTION: The compressor includes a set of a first piston, a first eccentric cam and a first cylinder chamber, a set of a second piston, a second eccentric cam and a second cylinder chamber, a set of a third piston, a third eccentric cam and a third cylinder chamber, and a set of a fourth piston, a fourth eccentric cam and a fourth cylinder chamber, and a piping manifold, an intake air filter and an exhaust muffler are integrally structured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a compressor and an oxygen concentrator using the compressor, and more particularly to a medical portable oxygen concentrator using a pressure swing adsorption method.

  An oxygen concentrator using a pressure swing adsorption method in which oxygen is generated by using, as an adsorbent, a zeolite that permeates oxygen in the air and selectively adsorbs nitrogen has been put into practical use for medical purposes.

  According to this type of oxygen concentrator, the raw material air taken in from the air intake is compressed by a compressor as a compression means to generate compressed air, and the compressed air is supplied to an adsorption cylinder containing an adsorbent. Then, oxygen is generated, the generated oxygen is stored in the tank, and the oxygen can be supplied at a predetermined flow rate from the tank via the pressure reducing valve and the flow rate setting device. It is configured to allow oxygen inhalation.

  If the oxygen concentrator configured in this way is installed in a place equipped with, for example, an AC power supply (commercial power supply), for example, home oxygen therapy patients with reduced lung function can safely absorb oxygen even while sleeping. Will be able to sleep well. In particular, when used even while sleeping, it is preferable that the oxygen concentrator generates very little noise. If possible, it is desirable that the noise level is less than the level generated by the indoor air conditioning equipment.

  On the other hand, an oxygen concentrator used for long-term oxygen inhalation therapy that is effective as a treatment method for patients with respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis is generally not portable. That is, it is not configured so that the patient can be taken out. Therefore, when the patient is forced to go out, concentrated oxygen is sucked from the oxygen cylinder while pushing the cart equipped with the oxygen cylinder. Oxygen supply to the oxygen cylinder had to be performed by a dedicated facility, and the patient's QOL (Quality of Life) was considerably impaired.

  Therefore, portable and mobile oxygen concentrators using battery-driven compressors have been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In addition, when a compressor having a compression means for generating compressed air and a pressure reduction means for generating reduced pressure air is employed, vibration of the integrated compressor, vibration generated by the pressure equalization process in the oxygen concentration process, in particular. For reducing the pressure, a reduced pressure air break valve that communicates with the outside air is provided between the flow path between the pressure reducing means and the switching valve, and the reduced pressure air break valve is opened in synchronization with the pressure equalizing step. A technique has been proposed in which outside air enters the flow path between the pressure reducing means and the switching valve to prevent vibration of the compressor and reduce power consumption (Patent Document 3).

  In addition, by connecting a compressor that generates compressed air and reduced pressure air to the inlet side of each, compressed air is introduced into the cylinder, and nitrogen is adsorbed by an adsorbent filled in the cylinder to separate oxygen. Two adsorbing cylinders for generating and supplying generated oxygen from the outlet side, introducing reduced pressure air when the adsorbent is saturated with nitrogen, and discharging nitrogen to the outside of the adsorbing cylinder; Two sets of three-way switching valves for switching alternately between the compressed air flow path, the reduced pressure air flow path, and the closed flow path by being connected between the inlet side of the two adsorption cylinders and the compressor; A branch pipe is connected between the pressure sensor that detects that one of the two adsorption cylinders has reached the maximum internal pressure value and the outlet side of the two adsorption cylinders, and the maximum internal pressure value is detected by the pressure sensor. When opened, it is open so as to equalize the pressure between the two adsorption cylinders. The pressure in the flow path is controlled by opening the pressure equalizing valve, the pressure reducing air generating section, and the pressure reducing air flow path of the three-way switching valve. There has been proposed an oxygen concentrator equipped with an air destruction valve that includes an air destruction valve that exhausts through a silencer.

Further, a proposal has been made to provide a pair of horizontally opposed pistons in order to reduce the size and weight of the compressor. An oxygen concentrator using a piping manifold has also been proposed (Patent Document 4).
JP 2002-121010 A JP 2000-79165 A JP 2005-1111016 A Special table 2008-515593

  The largest and heavier compressor can be cited as a configuration that becomes the most obstacle when reducing the size and weight of the oxygen concentrator configured as described above. It has been said that it is very difficult to reduce the size and weight of this compressor because it has to generate compressed air and decompressed air. Furthermore, since the compressor usually has a problem of generating noise and vibration during operation, it is important to reduce noise and vibration.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a compressor and an oxygen concentrator that can achieve a significant reduction in size and weight, noise, and vibration at the same time, and can save space. It is said.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a compressor according to the present invention includes a set of first pistons, a first eccentric cam, a first cylinder chamber, a set of second pistons, and a first piston. Two eccentric cams, a second cylinder chamber, a set of third pistons, a third eccentric cam, a third cylinder chamber, a set of fourth pistons, a fourth eccentric cam, and a fourth It has a cylinder chamber and is characterized by integrating a pipe manifold, an intake filter, and an exhaust muffler.

  Furthermore, the oxygen concentrator of the present invention includes a pair of adsorption units containing a filter assembly for filtering raw air that becomes compressed air and a zeolite adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the compressed air to generate oxygen. A switching valve that performs the generation and purification by the adsorbent by switching the flow path so that compressed air and reduced pressure air from the compressor are alternately supplied to the adsorption cylinder, and the reduced pressure after the purification An oxygen concentrator comprising: a silencer that silences air when exhausted; a container that stores the generated oxygen; and a rechargeable battery that supplies power including driving the motor. The compressor includes a set of a first piston, a first eccentric cam, a first cylinder chamber, a set of a second piston, a second eccentric cam, a second cylinder chamber, and a set of 3rd piston and 3rd eccentricity And a third cylinder chamber, a set of a fourth piston, a fourth eccentric cam, and a fourth cylinder chamber, and a pipe manifold, an intake filter, and an exhaust muffler are integrated. It is said.

  According to the present invention, the compressor is a horizontally opposed two-cylinder type, and the piping manifold, the intake filter, and the exhaust muffler are integrated, so that space can be saved, and a small size and light weight can be realized. The pistons cancel each other out, so that a compressor capable of simultaneously achieving low noise and low vibration and an oxygen concentrator using the compressor can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular, a portable oxygen concentrator as an example. Here, the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and changes, of which specific examples are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail below. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these, and various configurations are possible within the scope defined in the claims.

  FIG. 1A is a flow path piping diagram illustrating the principle of oxygen generation, and FIG. 1B is a compressed aerodynamic fluctuation adsorption method (PSA) using compressed air and a positive depressurization aerodynamic fluctuation adsorption method (VPSA) using compressed air and reduced pressure air. (C) is a chart illustrating the amount of nitrogen adsorption in the pressure fluctuation adsorption method (PSA) and the positive pressure reduction aerodynamic fluctuation adsorption method (VPSA) together with the pressure.

  In FIG. 1, a positive pressure fluctuation adsorption method (PSA) using only compressed air and a positive / negative pressure fluctuation adsorption method (VPSA) using compressed air and reduced pressure air will be briefly described. In FIG. 1 (a), the raw air compressed by the compressor 1 by introducing external air is introduced into the first adsorption cylinder 108a through one of the three-way switching valves 109a. The first adsorption cylinder 108a contains a catalyst zeolite, and nitrogen is adsorbed by the zeolite and oxygen is separated and produced.

  The oxygen thus generated and separated flows through a check valve (not shown) and flows into the product tank. When the internal pressure of the first adsorption cylinder 108a increases, the three-way switching valve 109a is switched to the exhaust side, whereby exhaust is performed. Before and after this, the equal pressure valve 107 is opened, and the process proceeds to a pressure equalization process for cleaning the second adsorption cylinder 108b using a part of the oxygen concentrated in the first adsorption cylinder 108a. .

  Next, the three-way switching valve 109b is opened to perform the desorption process (discharge of nitrogen and moisture) of the first adsorption cylinder 108a and intake of compressed air into the second adsorption cylinder 108b, and the second adsorption cylinder Oxygen separated and generated by the compressed air flowing into the body 108b flows into the product tank through a check valve (not shown). Thereafter, when it is detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) that the predetermined pressure has been reached, the equal pressure valve 107 is opened for a predetermined time, and then the second adsorption cylinder 108a is cleaned and pressure equalized. Further, when the equal pressure valve 107 is opened, oxygen separated and generated by the second adsorption cylinder 108b is sent to the outlet of the first adsorption cylinder 108a, and the built-in zeolite is purified. By repeating the above steps at a predetermined timing, continuous stable supply of oxygen is performed.

  As described above, when the compressed air is supplied to each of the two adsorption cylinders by switching the two three-way switching valves, the compression is performed so that the pressure change illustrated by the solid line in FIG. A method in which only air is sent into the adsorption cylinder to adsorb nitrogen and the desorption operation is performed at substantially atmospheric pressure is called a positive pressure fluctuation adsorption method (PSA). On the other hand, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1B, a method of more positively washing the built-in zeolite by reducing the pressure to a negative pressure (vacuum) in addition to the compressed air is a positive / negative pressure fluctuation adsorption method (VPSA). )is called. Since this method can positively wash the built-in zeolite, it is superior to the positive pressure fluctuation adsorption method.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the amount of nitrogen adsorbed by the positive pressure fluctuation adsorption method is smaller than that of the positive / negative pressure fluctuation adsorption method even if the pressure difference is the same. For this reason, it is good to use the compressor which can send both compressed air and pressure-reduced pressure-reduced air. Or, since it is necessary to provide two compressors for generating compressed air and for generating reduced pressure air, an increase in size cannot be avoided. For this reason, for example, it cannot be incorporated into a portable small oxygen concentrator.

  Therefore, a portable small-sized oxygen concentrator 300 configured based on the positive / negative pressure fluctuation adsorption method will be described below as an example.

<Description of Overall Configuration of Oxygen Concentrator 300>
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a principal part in a cutaway manner in order to illustrate the internal configuration of the oxygen concentrator 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device 300 is used together with a nasal cannula (not shown), and has a vertically long and slender external shape that is approximately 2 to 4 kg in total and substantially close to a 2 liter plastic bottle.

  By adopting such a vertically long configuration, it can be inserted from an opening above the portable bag (not shown), and the lid provided with a hook after the insertion is fixed so as to cover the operation panel 305 to prevent dropping. It will be in a state to be. In addition, a hanging belt fixed to the portable bag is hung from the shoulder so that it can be carried without disturbing when going out, for example. In addition, a shoulder pad is fixed to the suspension belt so as not to be a burden on the shoulder, and a pouch for storing a nasal cannula connected with a tube is provided on the front surface of the portable bag. The portable bag can be made of synthetic leather or urethane-coated cloth, and an opening is formed so as not to block an air inlet described later.

  As described above, it has a vertically long shape that is almost the same as that of a plastic bottle, so in an unused state in which a nasal cannula and a bent tube are stored in a pouch of a portable bag, the oxygen concentrator can be used only by someone else. 300 is not easily known.

  In addition, while thoroughly pursuing weight saving and energy saving, the electricity bill is further reduced, while the attached external battery that can be attached and detached and can be repeatedly charged, the built-in rechargeable battery 228 that can be repeatedly charged, and commercial for home use. (AC) It can be used with three power supply systems. In particular, the built-in battery 228 and the external battery can be used with confidence because they can be used as a backup power source in the event of a power failure. Furthermore, it has a function that can be switched to a “tuning mode” in which oxygen is sent in synchronism with intake air in order to save battery power.

  Further, the main casing 302 constituting the hermetic cover having the vertically long external shape is made of, for example, ABS resin, which is a thermoplastic resin having impact resistance, which is an injection-molded resin part. Secured. Further, the other components including the two adsorbing cylinders filled with the adsorbent are reduced in weight as much as possible, and for the compressor 1 having the largest weight, a pair of the first piston and the first piston are used. , A set of first cylinder chambers for guiding reciprocating movement in an airtight state, a set of second pistons, and a second piston for guiding the reciprocating movement of each of the second pistons in an airtight state. By arranging the two cylinder chambers in a cross shape when viewed from the end of the crankshaft body, a significant reduction in size and weight is achieved, thereby achieving a weight reduction of about 2 kg in total weight. In addition, the soundproof chamber 303 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing is also made of an impact-resistant thermoplastic resin, for example, an ABS resin for weight reduction.

  The operation panel 305 is formed, for example, obliquely forward at an angle of about 10 degrees. From the left on the operation panel 305, the power switch 306 and the oxygen flow rate or the like for performing LED or liquid crystal display with the upper 7-segment numbers. Display unit 204, resin component oxygen outlet 307, and upper and lower oxygen flow setting buttons 308, 308 with or without a resin cover. Above the oxygen outlet 307, a resin-made coupler (not shown) is provided which is engaged with a stepped portion formed in the oxygen outlet 307 in an airtight state and is detachably provided. The coupler is set so that an opening of a flexible tube such as a nasal cannula communicates with the coupler.

  When the above-mentioned portable bag is loaded with the device 300, the patient is outside the body at a height approximately corresponding to the waist where a Japanese standard height (160-170 cm) patient stands with both hands lowered. As described above, the operation panel 305 is formed obliquely. Therefore, for example, the operation of the oxygen concentrator 300 can be performed without difficulty while standing. Furthermore, since the oxygen outlet 307 is arranged at the center and the dials are arranged at symmetrical positions, even a left-handed person can be operated without any sense of incongruity.

  Note that the total length of the tube connected to the nasal cannula is, for example, within 60 cm, so that it is not disturbed especially when being carried. Also, if a device having a full length substantially corresponding to the range of movement in the same room where the patient lives is prepared separately, the oxygen concentrator 300 can be used in a state of being fixed to one corner of the room. In addition, four rubber feet (not shown) may be fixed to the four corners of the bottom surface to prevent a side slip when used on the floor surface and not to easily fall down.

  Next, an air inlet 302a that is formed in a horizontally long shape as shown in the drawing is formed above the back side of the main housing 302 to introduce outside air into the inside. In addition, an exhaust port 302b that opens to the outside after oxygen is generated is formed on the right side surface of the main housing 302.

  The soundproof chamber 303 serving as a sub-housing is formed from a wall member 309 that is integrally formed with the main housing 302 or provided as a separate member, and is provided with a soundproof material 311 laid on the inner wall surface of the soundproof chamber 303. Thus, the operation sound generated from the compressor 1 is effectively absorbed. The soundproofing material 311 is provided so as to cover the inner wall surface of the main housing 302 and various solenoid valves 109, 115, and 117, which will be described later, as shown in the figure, so that the operation sound at the on / off time can be effectively absorbed. ing.

  The soundproofing material 311 includes a polyolefin fiber (preferably polypropylene fiber) having a fiber diameter of 1 to 4 microns, and a polyolefin fiber (preferably polypropylene fiber) having a fiber diameter of 20 to 30 microns. The nonwoven fabric which consists of can be used. It was confirmed that such a nonwoven fabric can be used to make it lightweight and the soundproof and sound absorbing effect can be dramatically improved.

  The compressor 1 is fixed to a mounting plate (not shown) obtained by bending, for example, an aluminum plate member having a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm into a U-shape, and then a soundproof chamber via a vibration-proof rubber including a rubber bush. It is fixed inside 303. The flexible pipe 24 for introducing the raw air from the intake port 302a to the filter assembly provided integrally with the compressor 1 passes through the through hole formed in the soundproof chamber 303. Is provided.

  Further, a heat radiating pipe 55 for cooling the compressed air whose temperature has been increased by being compressed by the compressor 1 is connected via the pipe 24. The heat radiating pipe 55 is configured such that a long pipe made of, for example, copper or aluminum is wound in a coil shape as shown in the drawing to increase the surface area. In the process of passing through the interior of the fan, it is configured to be cooled by blowing air from the heat radiating fan 330 including an axial fan disposed in the vicinity.

  Further, the air blown from the heat radiating fan 330 is exhausted toward the exhaust port 302b. On the other hand, since air from the heat radiating fan 330 is also actively exhausted from a silencer, which will be described later, outside air is introduced into the soundproof chamber 303 through another through hole (not shown), and the above heat radiation and exhaust are performed. Is configured to do.

  On the other hand, the external battery connector 131 and the AC adapter connectors 130 and 133 are provided on the left side surface of the main housing 302, and the connector at the end of the AC cable of the illustrated AC adapter is inserted into the AC adapter connector 130 to provide an oxygen concentrator. Power is supplied from an AC adapter (AC 100V) to 300. In addition, by setting the external battery connector that can be repeatedly charged to the external battery connector 131, the battery can be driven for up to about 2 hours when going out or moving indoors (indoors).

  Further, the built-in battery 228, which is a lithium ion battery that can be repeatedly charged, is disposed at the lowest position as shown in the figure, and the center of gravity of the entire apparatus is lowered. As described above, the AC power supply (commercial power supply), external battery, and built-in battery have three power sources, and the priority of the power source to be used is automatically switched to the AC power supply, external battery, and built-in battery. The battery 228 can be preserved.

  On the other hand, a pair of adsorption cylinders 108a and 108b for allowing compressed air to permeate through the adsorbent of zeolite contained therein and selectively adsorbing nitrogen with the adsorbent to generate oxygen are provided as shown in FIG. And the main housing 302 are provided in parallel in the vertical direction. Further, the product tank 111 that stores the generated oxygen is disposed above the soundproof chamber 303.

  At a position corresponding to the ON position of the power switch 306, for example, an operation state lamp (not shown) having a built-in light emitting LED that is lit in green and red is provided. There is also a model in which a battery remaining amount monitor is provided. The oxygen outlet 307 located in the center is provided so that all the enclosed portions are retracted from the operation surface of the operation panel 305 to the back side (the back side in the drawing) as illustrated. On some oxygen outlets 307, there is also a model in which an alarm display unit in which a character “inspection” or a character display corresponding thereto is printed horizontally is provided. Further, there is a model in which an oxygen lamp having a built-in light emitting LED, for example, which is lit in green, red and yellow is provided below the alarm display section.

  The upper and lower oxygen flow rate setting buttons 308 and 308 are provided as flat switches so as to be substantially flush with the operation surface of the operation panel 305. Each time the oxygen flow setting button 308 is operated to push oxygen concentrated to about 90% or more from 0.25 L (liter) per minute to 5 L at the 0.25 L step or 0.01 L step, the oxygen flow rate Can be set, and is displayed on the upper oxygen flow rate display unit 309.

  As described above, it is possible to operate by changing the oxygen generation capacity. In addition, there is a model provided with a tuning lamp provided to notify the patient by lighting or blinking that the concentrated oxygen is being operated in an intermittent supply state by breathing synchronization. There is also a model provided with an operation indicator provided for informing a patient by blinking in synchronization with respiration.

  As described above, each of the operation units arranged on the operation panel 305 can operate all main functions with minimum necessary operations on the premise of safety in use and use by the elderly. Specifically, the remaining battery capacity display section of the display section 204 is fully lit for about 2 seconds when the power is turned on. After that, if the remaining amount of the internal battery 228 or the external rechargeable battery is 100%, the lamp with the built-in light-emitting LED lights in green (continuously shines) and displays in multiple levels (for example, 5 levels) All the parts are lit up. In addition, each time the remaining battery level is reduced by a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%) with respect to full charge, the lights are turned off sequentially and the number of lights is gradually reduced. And can be alerted with a built-in buzzer or voice guide.

  Then, when the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery becomes 10% or less of a predetermined ratio with respect to the full charge, the lamp incorporating the light emitting LED blinks so as to shine intermittently in an alarm color such as red, and at a predetermined interval, for example, A warning is provided with a built-in buzzer or voice guide every 5 minutes, ensuring safety in use in the battery drive mode especially when going out or during a power failure. Note that the remaining battery capacity display portions of the internal battery 228 and the external rechargeable battery may be displayed separately so as to correspond to the internal battery 228 and the external rechargeable battery, respectively, so that they can be easily viewed.

  In addition, “inspection” may be printed on the alarm display unit so that a built-in lamp is turned on when the oxygen concentration is lowered. Further, when an abnormality occurs on the apparatus side, a buzzer may sound and be notified with a voice guide. In addition, when the apparatus stops due to a power failure, while blinking and informing, it may be possible to be surely informed to a visually handicapped person with a buzzer and a voice guide. In the oxygen lamp, the built-in LED is lit in green when oxygen is normally inhaled. Further, the light is turned off when oxygen is not emitted or when the oxygen concentration is lowered. Then, in the synchronization mode (breathing synchronization mode), when the respiratory state cannot be detected for a certain time, for example, about 30 seconds, it may be lit in red as an alarm color, and a buzzer may be sounded and notified by a voice guide.

  In addition, when driving in a synchronized mode in which concentrated oxygen is supplied in synchronization with inspiration, the indicator lights up or blinks in green substantially in synchronization with the breathing pattern (oxygen output) in order to make the patient visually recognize that fact. As a notification, the patient may be able to confirm that concentrated oxygen is being supplied normally.

  On the other hand, when the power switch 306 is turned on, an initial self-check is performed in which a buzzer sounds and all the lamps are lit green for 2 seconds. It may be lit. The patient performs an increase / decrease operation of the oxygen flow rate setting button 308 in accordance with the doctor's prescription, and the oxygen supply is started when the predetermined flow rate is set. In addition, when the oxygen concentrator 300 is normally stopped, the previous operation conditions (oxygen flow rate, presence / absence of the synchronization mode) are stored in the temporary storage device. For this reason, if the oxygen flow rate setting button 308 is not pressed after the initial self-check, the concentrated oxygen is automatically supplied under the previous operating conditions. Note that the fact (the same operating condition as the previous time) may be notified by voice guidance. When the power switch 306 is turned off at the time of stop, the oxygen lamp is also turned off, and the operation lamp may be automatically terminated after blinking for a while.

<Explanation of flow path piping and block diagram of oxygen concentrator 300>
3 is a flow path piping diagram that also serves as a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator 300, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of details of the piping system of the compressor 1, and FIG. 5 is an upper housing 3 and a lower housing 4 of the compressor 1. It is a detailed view of the inside manifold (piping system).

  In FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, component parts that have already been described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and the double line in the figure is a pipe 24 serving as a flow path for air, oxygen, and nitrogen gas, Generally indicated by the pipes 24a to 24l. A thin solid line indicates power supply or electric signal wiring. Note that the pipes 24c, 24h, 24i, 24j, 24k, and 24l shown by broken lines in FIG. 4 are actually formed of manifolds as shown in FIG. 5, so tubes, metal pipes, and the like are used. Not.

  Here, in the following description, a case where a compressor 1 in which a compressed air generator 1a, a decompressed air generator 1b, a filter assembly 7, and a silencer 6 are integrated is described. In addition, the main housing 302 that introduces outside air into the inside through the air inlet 302a and the filter 320 and discharges it outside through the air outlet 302b is shown as a hermetically sealed container in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, description will be made sequentially along the flow of the introduced air. After the raw material air is introduced into the main housing 302 through the air inlet 302a and the filter 320, it is introduced into the pressurized suction tank 7a provided with the filter assembly 7 in the direction of arrow F. The filtered raw material air enters the pressurizing chamber 1a of the compressor 1 through a pipe 24i formed as a manifold.

  Next, the raw material air becomes compressed air pressurized in the pressurizing chamber 1a of the compressor 1. At this time, the temperature rises and is sent to the pipe 24c through the pipe 24j formed as a manifold and the pressurized buffer tank 7b. Therefore, the pipe 24c is preferably connected to the heat radiating pipe 55 having an excellent heat radiating effect, and is cooled by using the air blown from the blower fan 330 for cooling the compressor 1 as a whole. By cooling the compressed air in this way, zeolite, which is an adsorbent whose function is reduced at high temperatures, can sufficiently function as an adsorbent for generating oxygen by adsorption of nitrogen. It can be concentrated to a degree or more.

  Next, the compressed air is alternately supplied to the first adsorption cylinder body 108a and the second adsorption cylinder body 108b arranged as described above in parallel in the vertical direction via the pipe 24d. become. Further, the decompressed air is introduced into the decompressed air generating unit 1b through the piping 24h, the decompression buffer tank 6b, and the piping 24k formed as a manifold. For this reason, the three-way switching valves 109a and 109b, which are switching valves, are connected as shown in the figure. In order to perform a purification process for desorbing unnecessary gases from these three-way switching valves 109a and 109b and the first and second adsorption cylinders 108a and 108b, the three-way switching valves 109a and 109b A pipe 24f is connected as shown. Further, the downstream side of the pipe 24f is connected to a reduced pressure air generating part 1b of the compressor 1, and the reduced pressure air generating part 1b is silenced during exhaust through a pipe 24l formed as a manifold, and the exhaust port 302b. A decompression exhaust tank 6a having a silencer 6 for exhausting air from the outside to the outside is connected.

  The zeolite which is the catalyst adsorbent stored in the first adsorption cylinder 108a and the second adsorption cylinder 108b, respectively, is an X-type zeolite having a Si203 / Al2O3 ratio of 2.0 to 3.0, In addition, the amount of nitrogen adsorbed per unit weight can be increased by using at least 88% or more of the tetrahedral unit of Al2O3 combined with a lithium cation. In particular, a granule measurement value of less than 1 mm and a fusion of at least 88% or more of tetrahedral units with a lithium cation are preferred.

  By using such a zeolite, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of raw material air required to produce the same oxygen. As a result, the compressor 1 for generating the compressed air and the decompressed air can be of a smaller type, and further noise reduction can be achieved.

  On the other hand, an equal pressure valve 107 including a check valve, a throttle valve, and an on-off valve is branched and connected to the outlet side above the first adsorption cylinder 108a and the second adsorption cylinder 108b as shown in the figure. Further, a pipe 24w to be joined is connected to the downstream side of the equal pressure valve 107, and a product tank 111 serving as a container for storing the separated and produced oxygen having a concentration of about 90% or more is shown in the figure. It is connected to the pipe 24. Further, a pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting the pressure in each adsorption cylinder is provided.

  On the downstream side of the product tank 111, a pressure regulator 112, which is a so-called regulator that automatically adjusts the pressure of oxygen on the outlet side to be constant, is piped. A zirconia type or ultrasonic type oxygen concentration sensor 114 is connected to the downstream side of the pressure regulator 112 via a pipe 24e, and the oxygen concentration is detected intermittently (every 10 to 30 minutes) or continuously. I am doing so. A proportional opening valve 115 that opens and closes in conjunction with the oxygen flow rate setting button 308 is connected to the downstream side, and an oxygen flow rate sensor 116 is further connected to the downstream side. A demand valve 117 is connected downstream of the sensor 116 via a reduced pressure air circuit board for breathing synchronization control, and is connected to an oxygen outlet 307 of the oxygen concentrator 300 through a sterilization filter 119. . With the above configuration, it is possible to inhale oxygen concentrated to about 90% or more through the nasal cannula 314 and the like at a maximum flow rate of 5 L / min.

  Next, the power supply system includes an AC adapter 319 connected via an AC power connector 130 connected to a switching regulator type AC adapter 319 that rectifies an AC (commercial AC) power supply to a predetermined DC voltage, and a main housing. A built-in battery 228 built in the bottom of the body 302, an external battery 227 detachably provided via the connector 131, and a power supply control circuit 226 are included. The built-in battery 228 and the external battery 227 are rechargeable secondary batteries, and the built-in battery 228 is charged by receiving power from the power supply control circuit 226. The built-in battery 228 can be repeatedly charged and discharged at least about 500 times (several hundreds times) and has a management function such as the remaining battery capacity, the number of charge / discharge cycles used, the degree of deterioration, and the output voltage. It is preferable to have a management function capable of confirming the remaining battery capacity, remaining charge capacity, and number of charge / discharge cycles with an external portable terminal. In addition, the external battery 227 can be charged by receiving power from the power supply control circuit 226 in a connected state via the connector 131, but is normally repeatedly charged using a separately prepared battery charger. It will be. Or you may prepare as the external battery 227 which integrated the battery charger designed exclusively.

  In the configuration of the power supply system described above, the oxygen concentrator 300 is operated by receiving power from the AC adapter 319, and is operated by receiving power from the built-in battery 228. The power supply state is automatically switched to one of three power supply states, ie, a third power supply state that operates by receiving power supply from an external battery.

  The power supply control circuit 226 is controlled by the central controller 200 so that the priority for this automatic switching is automatically determined in the order of the first power supply state, the third power supply state, and the second power supply state. In addition, an ID tag code identification circuit may be further connected to the power supply control circuit 226 so that a situation where the rechargeable battery runs out when being carried can be prevented. That is, in order to prevent a situation where the rechargeable battery runs out when being carried, it is preferable to connect a plurality of rechargeable batteries 228. However, connecting a plurality of batteries in this way complicates the means for switching the power source. It becomes impossible to monitor power consumption individually.

  Therefore, among a plurality of rechargeable batteries 228,... 228, an identification ID tag code and a charge state detection are individually performed to enable control to automatically switch from a discharged battery to a fully charged rechargeable battery. Means are provided so that a discharged battery can be confirmed and switched to a fully charged battery. Furthermore, the number of batteries to be connected is freely selected according to the time when the battery is desired to be used, thereby improving convenience.

  Further, the built-in battery 228 is disposed on the bottom surface in order to lower the center of gravity of the oxygen concentrator 300. On the other hand, the external battery 227 is housed in, for example, a pocket of a patient's clothing, and can be used when going out by connecting it appropriately. Since the external battery 227 is provided with the remaining charge display section, the remaining usage time can be known together with the voice guide.

  The AC adapter 319 is preferably a switching regulator type that can generate a predetermined DC voltage without being affected by the difference in frequency and voltage fluctuation, and can be configured to be small and light, but may also be a normal series type. . In addition, the internal battery 228 and the external battery 227 are preferably lithium ion or lithium hydrogen ion secondary batteries that have little memory effect during charging and can be fully charged even during recharging, but may be conventional nickel cadmium batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries. Further, in preparation for an emergency, the external battery may be configured as a box of AA dry batteries available anywhere.

  The central control unit 200 stores a program for switching to an optimal operation mode according to the amount of oxygen to be generated. When generating a large amount of oxygen, the central control unit 200 automatically drives the compressor 1 and the blower fan 330 at high speed. In the case of generating a small amount of oxygen, the built-in battery 228 is particularly conserved by performing the control through the motor control unit 201 and the fan motor control unit that perform the rotational drive at a low speed. As a result, even when the external battery 227 is forgotten to be charged, it is possible to cope with sudden outings or power outages.

  The central control unit 200 incorporates a ROM that stores a predetermined operation program, and is further connected to an external storage device 210, a circuit 207 including a volatile memory, a temporary storage device, and a real-time clock. The stored contents can be accessed by connecting to a communication line or the like via the communication line.

  In addition, a control circuit that controls to desorb unnecessary gas in the first adsorption cylinder body 108a and the second adsorption cylinder body 108b by performing on / off control of the three-way switching valves 109a and 109b and the equal pressure valve 107. The flow rate control unit 202 that drives and controls the oxygen concentration sensor 114, the proportional opening valve 115, the flow rate sensor 116, and the demand valve 117 is connected to the central control unit 200.

  The compressor 1 having a total weight of about 400 g is driven by a variable speed control unit built in the motor control unit 201 so that the driving sound of the DC motor including the outer rotor type electric motor 2 is controlled with a sinusoidal drive waveform. It is low. The compressor 1 can be operated at various speeds, can generate the necessary pressure level and flow rate of compressed air, generates only a little noise and vibration, generates only a little heat, is small and light, and has a little It is configured so that it can be operated with sufficient power consumption.

  Further, by providing the motor control unit 201 with a variable speed controller that is a variable speed control means, the rotational drive speed of the compressor 1 can be freely changed based on the activity level and environmental conditions of the patient. As a result, when the demand valve 117 determines that the patient's oxygen demand is relatively low, such as when the patient is sitting or sleeping, based on respiratory synchronization, the drive rotational speed of the compressor 1 is automatically reduced. Can do. Also, the patient's oxygen demand is relatively high and the oxygen demand is increased, such as when the patient is standing, active, or when GPS determines that the patient is at a high altitude with a low oxygen concentration, as will be described later. If so, the rotational speed can be automatically increased.

  With the motor control as described above, the power consumption of the entire apparatus 300 is reduced, and it is possible to extend the life when driven by a rechargeable battery, while reducing the weight and size of the rechargeable battery. By reducing the degree of wear and extending the life, it is possible to obtain a secondary effect that can improve reliability.

  This compressor 1 has functions of generating compressed air and generating reduced pressure air as described above, and the rotation speed is automatically controlled according to the oxygen flow rate to be taken out, and the rotation speed is controlled between 500 rpm and 3000 rpm. . The compressor 1 has a performance of compressing air up to about 150 kPa.

  The operating temperature surrounding this compressor 1 is 0 ° C. to 40 ° C., and the driving voltage of the compressor 1 is DC 12V or 24V which is a power source obtained from a cigarette lighter adapter such as an automobile or a truck, and the power consumption is , About 30W. For this reason, in the worst case, the power can be supplied by connecting to the connector 131. In addition, the blower fan 330 has a power consumption of about 3 W, and the number of revolutions varies according to the concentrated oxygen flow rate, and is configured to contribute to noise reduction and power reduction.

  As the three-way switching valves 109a and 109b, electromagnetic valves that perform a valve operation generally called a direct acting type by a magnetic force during energization can be used. This type of solenoid valve has a problem of high power consumption because the main valve is operated only by electric power. Therefore, a pilot-type three-way switching valve can be used as the three-way switching valves 109a and 109b. According to this pilot-type three-way switching valve, since it can be operated by using a little power consumption and the air pressure from the compressor 1, it is reduced from the conventional 8W to 0.5W, so that a large amount of power is consumed. Reduction can be achieved.

  Each of the above-described components is mainly attached to the main casing 302 from one direction as shown in FIG. 2 in consideration of improvement in assembly workability and serviceability of the oxygen concentrator 300 with reduced noise. Designed to be fixed as. That is, various control boards, the pressure regulator 112 that automatically adjusts the oxygen pressure to be constant as described above, the oxygen concentration sensor 114, the proportional opening valve 115 on the downstream side of the pressure regulator 112, and the oxygen flow rate sensor 116. All the demand valves 117 connected to the reduced pressure air circuit board 118 for breathing synchronization control can be fixed from one direction. In particular, components that generate vibration or noise are provided in the soundproof room 303 in a soundproof and vibration-proof state so that compressed air supply sound, external air introduction sound, and filtered air for producing raw air can be obtained. Noise is reduced by preventing the introduction sound and the periodically generated exhaust sound from leaking outside. Further, the operation sound of the three-way switching valve is soundproofed by covering with the soundproof sheet 311 as described above. Further, the main casing 302 is configured as a hermetic cover having a minimum necessary opening that is introduced into the inside through the air inlet 302a and discharged to the outside through the air outlet 302b, thereby further reducing noise. It becomes possible to plan.

<Configuration of compressor 1>
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the compressor 1. In this figure, a pressurized suction tank 7a having a filter assembly 7 on the left side of the upper surface, and a vacuum head 9 is fixed to the right side thereof with through bolts 40 and 40 and nuts and screws (not shown). On the left side of the lower surface, a pressurized tank 7b is fixed by using through bolts 40 and 40 and nuts and screws (not shown) so as to face the pressurized suction tank 7a across the upper housing 3 and the lower housing 4. On the right side of the lower surface, a vacuum head 9 is fixed by using through bolts 40 and 40 and nuts and screws (not shown) so as to face the upper vacuum head 9 across the upper housing 3 and the lower housing 4.

    A vacuum exhaust tank 6a having a pressure head 8 on the left side of the front side and an exhaust muffler (silencer) 6 on the right side of the front side is fixed using through bolts 40 and 40 and nuts and screws (not shown). Yes. The pressure head 8 is fixed to the left side of the opposite side surface by using through bolts 40 and 40 and nuts and screws (not shown) facing the pressure head 8 on the left side of the front side surface. A vacuum suction tank 6b is fixed to the right side of the other side using through bolts 40 and 40 and nuts and screws (not shown) so as to face the vacuum exhaust tank 6a. In this way, the compressor is a horizontally opposed two-cylinder type, and the piping manifold, the intake filter, and the exhaust muffler are integrated.

  The compressor 1 includes a decompression chamber 1 b that generates decompressed air, a pressurization chamber 1 a that generates compressed air, and a crankshaft body 11 illustrated by a broken line that is rotationally driven by a motor 2. Further, the dimension H along the longitudinal direction of the crankshaft body 11 is made as small as possible, and the upper housing 3 and the lower housing 4 having the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right surfaces whose cross-sectional shape is a regular square as shown in the figure. It is configured to attach the following components. Inside the filter assembly 7 is provided a filter portion (not shown) formed of a coiled sintered body or special fibers.

  Next, the compressor 1 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to a skeleton diagram based on an isometric projection in which the compressor 1 shown in FIG. A first ball bearing 13 and a second ball bearing 14 of radial ball bearings are fixed to the upper housing 3 and the lower housing 4 which are both side surfaces orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the crankshaft body 11, and these first bearings. The crankshaft 11 is rotatably supported by the 13 and the second bearing 14. Further, the motor 2 is fixed on one side surface of the housing, and a part of the crankshaft 11 that is pivotally supported by the first bearing 13 is extended to the outside of the housing, so that the output shaft 2a of the motor 2 is provided. Are connected via a joint 12. A flywheel 19 having an inertia moment portion 19 f is fixed to the crankshaft 11 inside the housing in the vicinity of the second bearing 14.

  With the above configuration, the crankshaft 11 is continuously rotated in the clockwise direction, for example, while the torque fluctuation is absorbed by the flywheel 19 as the motor 2 is energized.

  The first piston 25 is reciprocated in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) by the first connecting rod 26 by a first eccentric cam (not shown) provided on the crankshaft body 11, and the first cylinder chamber ( (Not shown). The central axis (operation axis) of the first connecting rod 26 is indicated by CL2. The second piston 27 is reciprocated in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) by the second connecting rod 28 by a second eccentric cam (not shown) provided on the crankshaft body 11, and the second cylinder 27 Guided in the chamber 41c. The central axis (operation axis) of the second connecting rod 28 is indicated by CL3. Although the central axis (operation axis) CL2 of the first connecting rod 26 and the central axis (operation axis) of the second connecting rod 28 are slightly shifted, the central axes (operations) of the first piston 25 and the second piston 27 are moved. Axis) has a common first central axis (the same central axis) CL1.

  The third piston 29 is reciprocated in the vertical direction by the third connecting rod 30 by a third eccentric cam (not shown) provided on the crankshaft body 11, and is guided in a third cylinder chamber (not shown). Is done. The fourth piston 31 is reciprocated up and down by a fourth connecting rod 32 by a fourth eccentric cam (not shown) provided on the crankshaft body 11, and is guided in a fourth cylinder chamber (not shown). Is done. Although the central axes (operation axes) of the third connecting rod 30 and the fourth connecting rod 32 are slightly shifted, the central axes (operation axes) of the third piston 29 and the fourth piston 31 are the same as the second axis. Center axis (same central axis) CL7.

  The first piston 25, the second piston 27, the third piston 29, and the fourth piston 31 described above are designed to prevent vibration by simultaneously performing a compression process and an intake process. The first connecting rod 26 formed integrally with the first piston is pivotally supported on the crankshaft 11 via a radial ball bearing 15. The second connecting rod 28 formed integrally with the second piston is pivotally supported on the crankshaft 11 via a radial ball bearing 16. The third connecting rod 30 formed integrally with the third piston is pivotally supported on the crankshaft 11 via a radial ball bearing 18.

  The fourth connecting rod 32 formed integrally with the fourth piston is pivotally supported on the crankshaft 11 via a radial ball bearing 17. In the first connecting rod 26 and the second connecting rod 28, the center axis CL2 and the center axis CL3 are offset from the first center axis CL1 by a distance A1a as shown in the figure.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent any rotational moment around the first central axis CL1 that is generated when the first piston 25 and the second piston 27 are driven. The strokes of the first piston 25, the second piston 27, the third piston 29, and the fourth piston 31 are about 2 to 5 mm, but 90% or more of 2-3 L / min from the oxygen outlet 307. High concentration oxygen can flow.

  On the other hand, each of the third piston 29 and the fourth piston 31 is guided in a cylinder chamber (not shown) so as to reciprocate in the same axial direction in the vertical direction, and the third piston 29 and the fourth piston 31 are At the same time, the compression process and the intake process are performed. The third central axis CL5 of the third piston 29, the cylinder chamber (not shown) corresponding to the fourth piston 31, and the third connecting rod 30 and the central axis CL6 of the fourth connecting rod 32 are the above-described second center. The distance A1b is offset from the axis CL7 as shown. For this reason, the rotation moment around the common second central axis CL7 generated when the third piston 29 and the fourth piston 31 are driven is not generated at all. Further, the common first central axis CL1 and the common second central axis CL7 intersect each other with a 90 degree shift. For this reason, the rotational moment cancels the rotational moment of the horizontal plane.

  FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the main part of the pressure head 8. The vacuum head 9 is similarly configured except for the opening and closing directions of the reed valves 50 and 51. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components or parts that have already been described, and the description thereof is omitted. From the bottom, the first gasket (not shown) pressed into the cylinder block 41 in the same shape as the cylinder block 41 is applied. (Shown) is provided. A lower member 43 having the same outer shape and the same hole as the first gasket is provided above the first gasket. The lower member 43 can be pressed from a stainless plate or an aluminum plate having a thickness of about 1 mm. The lower member 43 is provided with a small hole portion 43k and a large hole portion 43g.

  A reed valve member 44 is provided on the lower member 43. The reed valve member 44 is pressed from a stainless steel plate member or phosphor bronze plate member having a plate thickness of 0.3 mm or less, and the respective reed valves 50 and 51 are stamped in a U shape, and the broken line is illustrated. It is formed so as to be elastically deformed from the base. When assembled with the long bolt 49 to be inserted, the small hole portion 43k of the lower member 43 and the reed valve 50 are formed at the same position, and the large hole portion 43g of the lower member 43 is formed at the same position.

  The upper member 45 on the reed valve member 44 sandwiches the reed valve member 44 from above and below together with the lower member 43, and restricts the reed valve 51 from moving further upward and the hole 45g. Is formed and drilled. When assembling with a screw to be inserted, the small hole portion 45g of the upper member 45 and the reed valve 50 are formed at the same position, and the restricting portion 45k of the upper member 45 and the reed valve 51 are formed at the same position.

  In this way, the small hole portion 43k, the reed valve 51, and the restricting portion 45k act as one valve. The large hole portion 43g, the reed valve 50, and the hole portion 45g function as one valve. A second gasket (not shown) is provided on the upper member 45, and a head block 47 is provided thereon, and these are provided with screw holes 41b, 43b, 44b, 45b, 47b, respectively. It is assembled using long bolts 49 to be inserted. Thus, the reed valve and the reed valve member have a plurality of head independent seat valve structures.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the first pistons 29 and 31 are in the intake process and a state in which the first pistons 29 and 31 are in the compression / exhaust process. In the intake process, the elastic reed valve 50 is bent (the reed valve 51 is not bent), and in the compression / exhaust process, the elastic reed valve 51 is bent (the reed valve 50 is not bent). Thus, in a state where the first pistons 29 and 31 are in the intake process, the reed valves 50 and 51 can be operated by being restricted by the restricting portion 45k and can generate compressed air and decompressed air.

(a) is a piping diagram explaining the principle of oxygen generation, (b) is a graph showing pressure fluctuations in positive pressure fluctuation adsorption (PSA) by compressed air and positive and negative pressure fluctuation adsorption (VPSA) by compressed air and reduced pressure with time. The illustrated chart (c) is a chart illustrating the amount of nitrogen adsorption in the positive pressure fluctuation adsorption and the positive and negative pressure fluctuation adsorption with time. It is the front view which fractured | ruptured and showed the principal part, in order to illustrate the internal structure of the small oxygen concentrator 300 incorporating the compressor 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator 300 and a schematic diagram of a manifold. 2 is a schematic diagram showing details of a piping system of the compressor 1. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a manifold (piping system) in an upper housing 3 and a lower housing 4 of the compressor 1. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a compressor 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a skeleton diagram based on an isometric projection illustrating the compressor 1 together with the reduced pressure air head 8. 3 is a three-dimensional exploded view of a main part of the pressure head 8. FIG. (a) is the schematic diagram which illustrated the state which is an intake process, (b) is the schematic diagram which illustrated the state which is a compression and exhaust process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Compressor 2 Motor 3 Upper housing 4 Lower housing 5 Cover member 6 Exhaust muffler (silencer)
7 Filter assembly 8 Pressure head 9 Vacuum head 10 T-shaped tube 11 Crankshaft body 12 Joints 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Radial ball bearing 19 Flywheel 20 Eccentric member 22 Piping joint 24 Piping 25 First Piston 26 First connecting rod 27 Second piston 28 Second connecting rod 29 Third piston 30 Third connecting rod 31 Fourth piston 32 Fourth connecting rod 40 Through bolt 41 Cylinder block 43 Lower member 44 Reed valve member 45 Upper member 47 Head block 48 Countersunk screw 49 Through bolt 50, 51 Reed valve 52 Bulkhead

Claims (2)

A set of first pistons, a first eccentric cam, a first cylinder chamber, a set of second pistons, a second eccentric cam, a second cylinder chamber, and a set of third pistons; A compressor comprising a third eccentric cam, a third cylinder chamber, a set of a fourth piston, a fourth eccentric cam, and a fourth cylinder chamber,
A compressor characterized by further integrating a piping manifold, an intake filter, and an exhaust muffler. A filter assembly for filtering raw air to be compressed air, a pair of adsorption cylinders containing an adsorbent of zeolite that selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the compressed air to generate oxygen, and a compressor for the adsorption cylinder A switching valve that performs the generation and purification by the adsorbent by switching the flow path so as to alternately supply compressed air and decompressed air from the air, and a silencer that silences the exhausted decompressed air after the purification And an oxygen concentrator comprising: a container for storing the generated oxygen; and a rechargeable battery for supplying power including driving of the motor,
The compressor includes a set of first pistons, a first eccentric cam, a first cylinder chamber, a set of second pistons, a second eccentric cam, a second cylinder chamber, and a set of first pistons. 3 pistons, a third eccentric cam, a third cylinder chamber, a set of a fourth piston, a fourth eccentric cam, and a fourth cylinder chamber, a pipe manifold, an intake filter, and an exhaust muffler And an oxygen concentrator using a compressor.

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