JP2019058299A - Oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an oxygen concentrator in which a variation in oxygen concentration of high concentration oxygen hardly occurs.SOLUTION: An oxygen concentrator 1 includes: a plurality of oxygen guiding passages 160 for guiding high concentration oxygen from oxygen concentrating parts to an oxygen tank; oxygen guiding passage check valves 60A and 60B provided respectively in the oxygen guiding passages for preventing a reverse flow of the high concentration oxygen from the oxygen tank to a plurality of the oxygen concentrating parts; a pressure equalizing passage 150, one side of which is connected to the downstream side of the oxygen guiding passage check valves or the oxygen tank, and the other side of which is connected to a pressure equalizing passage on-off valve 90; a distribution passage (illustration omitted), one side of which is connected to the upstream side of the respective oxygen guiding passage check valves in the oxygen guiding passages, and the other side of which is connected to the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve; and distribution passage check valves 70A and 70B provided respectively in the distribution passage for regulating the flow of the high concentration oxygen from an oxygen guiding passage side to the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve, and allowing the flow of the high concentration oxygen from the pressure equalizing passage to the oxygen guiding passage side. The high concentration oxygen flows from a pressure equalizing passage side to a distribution passage side by opening the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator that produces high concentrations of oxygen.

  BACKGROUND ART In recent years, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) having chronic inflammation in the lungs and symptoms such as dyspnea are increasing worldwide. Not only patients with COPD, but respiratory failure and hypoxia generally affect the entire body. Home oxygen therapy which supplies high concentration oxygen to a patient is known as a treatment for alleviating such hypoxia and improving the quality of life. In home oxygen therapy, a device called an oxygen concentrator that generates high concentration of oxygen by removing nitrogen and moisture in the air and concentrating oxygen is used. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 5A is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a conventional oxygen concentrator 301. As shown in FIG. The oxygen concentrator 301 includes a plurality of oxygen concentration units 310, a pressure adjustment unit 330, a switching unit 320 that switches the plurality of oxygen concentration units 310A and oxygen concentration units 310B, and oxygen that stores high concentration oxygen supplied to the user. A tank 340 is provided. Then, in order for the oxygen concentrating unit 310 to repeat the generation operation of oxygen and the regenerating operation of the oxygen concentrating unit 310 at predetermined time intervals, a pressure equalizing passage on-off valve 370 is provided in the bias passage 380. In order to make constant the oxygen partial pressure (oxygen concentration) of the main flow path 400 measured by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 410, a spring-loaded check valve 390 is provided.

Patent No. 5281468 gazette

  However, as shown in FIG. 5A, in order to allow the gas to flow in both directions in the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve 370, the resistance in the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve 370 differs depending on the gas supply direction of the gas. Specifically, when the gas is supplied from the first port 376 and the gas is supplied from the second port 378 (see FIG. 5B), the gas is supplied from the second port 378 to be supplied from the first port 376. In the case where gas is supplied (see FIG. 5C), the flow path resistance is different, and a difference occurs in the time for returning the oxygen concentration unit 310 to the atmospheric pressure through the bias flow path 380. Therefore, the concentration of oxygen detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 410 fluctuates. For example, a state A in which the oxygen concentration unit 310A generates oxygen and exhausts nitrogen from the oxygen concentration unit 310B for regeneration, and conversely, the oxygen concentration unit 310B generates oxygen and the nitrogen concentration from the oxygen concentration unit 310A There is a problem that there is a difference in oxygen concentration between the state B in which the air is exhausted and regenerated and the state B is regenerated (see FIG. 5D). This invention is made in view of the said subject, and it aims at provision of the oxygen concentrator which the fluctuation | variation of the oxygen concentration of high concentration oxygen supplied to a user does not produce easily.

  In order to suppress the fluctuation of the oxygen concentration, it is conceivable to perform feedback control of the switching unit, the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve, etc. with reference to the value of the oxygen partial pressure detection unit, but it is complicated. Therefore, in the present invention, when the oxygen concentration portion is regenerated, the resistance of the flow path when returning to the atmospheric pressure is made equal to each other for the plurality of oxygen concentration portions, thereby making it difficult to cause the fluctuation of the oxygen concentration.

  (1) According to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of oxygen concentration sections for producing high concentration of oxygen, an oxygen tank for storing the high concentration of oxygen supplied to the user, and a plurality of the oxygen concentration sections. A plurality of oxygen guiding flow paths for connecting the oxygen tank and guiding the high concentration oxygen from the oxygen concentration unit to the oxygen tank; and a plurality of oxygen guiding flow paths respectively provided from the oxygen tank A plurality of oxygen guide passage check valves for preventing the backflow of the high concentration oxygen to the plurality of oxygen concentration portions, and the oxygen downstream side of the guide passage check valves in the plurality of oxygen guide passages or the oxygen One side is connected to the tank, and the other side is connected to the pressure equalizing flow path connected to the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve, and one side upstream of the respective guide path check valves in the plurality of oxygen guide flow paths And the other is in contact with the pressure equalizing And a plurality of distribution channels respectively provided, and restricting the flow of the high concentration oxygen from the oxygen guide channel side to the pressure equalizing channel on-off valve, from the pressure equalizing channel A plurality of distribution channel check valves permitting flow of the high concentration oxygen to the oxygen guide channel side, and opening the pressure equalizing channel on-off valve from the pressure equalizing channel side to the distribution channel side There is provided an oxygen concentrator characterized in that the high concentration of oxygen flows.

  According to the invention described in the above (1), in the flushing state in which oxygen generated by one oxygen concentration unit is supplied to the other oxygen concentration unit and returned to the atmospheric pressure with respect to a plurality of oxygen concentration units, Gas flows in the same direction through the pressure equalizing channel on-off valve. Therefore, since the change in resistance received in the flow path is reduced, the difference in the regeneration time of the respective oxygen concentration portions is reduced, and the excellent effect is obtained that the fluctuation of the oxygen concentration of high concentration oxygen supplied to the user is less likely to occur. .

  (2) In the present invention, one of the plurality of distribution channels is connected to the bypass channel connecting the plurality of oxygen guiding channels and the pressure equalizing channel on-off valve, and The oxygen concentrator according to the above (1) is provided, comprising: a common flow path connected to the branch point with the other.

  According to the invention described in (2), high concentration oxygen supplied to the user can be provided by providing an inexpensive two-way on-off valve as a pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve between the pressure equalizing flow path and the common flow path. There is an excellent effect that the fluctuation of the oxygen concentration is less likely to occur.

  (3) In the present invention, one of the plurality of oxygen guiding channels is connected to the main channel connected to the oxygen tank, and one to each of the oxygen concentrating portions, and the other is connected to the main channel. A plurality of sub flow paths are provided, and the plurality of oxygen guide flow path check valves are respectively provided in the plurality of sub flow paths, and are further connected to connection points with the sub flow path in the main flow path. The oxygen concentrator according to the above (1) or (2), further comprising a main flow check valve provided downstream and preventing a backflow from the oxygen tank to the sub flow. .

  According to the invention described in the above (3), the oxygen guiding flow path is provided with the sub flow path connected to each of the plurality of oxygen concentrating portions, and the main flow path connected at the connection point and connected to the oxygen tank Since each of the passages has an oxygen guide passage check valve and the main passage further has a main passage check valve, the gas supplied to the user has an excellent effect that the fluctuation of the oxygen concentration is small.

  (4) The present invention provides the oxygen concentrator according to any one of the above (1) to (3), characterized in that the plurality of the oxygen concentrators are equipped with an oxygen concentration catalyst.

  According to the invention described in the above (4), since each of the oxygen concentration units has an oxygen concentration catalyst, while at least one oxygen concentration unit is producing oxygen, nitrogen etc. is generated from the other oxygen concentration units. It is possible to perform the regeneration operation for releasing, and it is possible to continuously provide the high concentration oxygen with less concentration variation.

  (5) The present invention further includes an oxygen partial pressure detection unit that detects an oxygen partial pressure in a gas supplied to the user, any one of the above (1) to (4). Provide an oxygen concentrator as described in

  According to the invention described in the above (5), since the oxygen partial pressure of the oxygen tank can be detected on the downstream side of the main flow path check valve, it is possible to continuously provide high concentration oxygen with little concentration variation. Play an effect.

  (6) In the present invention, a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the plurality of oxygen concentration units, a switching unit that switches the plurality of oxygen concentration units, and the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit Based on the switching unit and a control unit for controlling the pressure equalizing flow path opening valve, the pressure adjusting unit is provided on the upstream side of the plurality of oxygen concentration units, and the switching unit is a plurality of pressure adjusting units. The oxygen concentrator according to the above (5) is provided between the above-described oxygen concentrators.

  According to the invention described in the above (6), the excellent effect of continuously providing high concentration oxygen with less concentration variation is exhibited.

  (7) In the present invention, when the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit reaches a predetermined value, the control unit opens the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve. Controlling the supply of the high concentration oxygen generated by the at least one oxygen concentration unit to at least one other oxygen concentration unit via the pressure equalizing flow path and the distribution flow path. Providing the oxygen concentrator according to (6) above.

  According to the invention described in the above (7), the oxygen generated in one oxygen concentration unit can be returned to the atmospheric pressure by supplying the oxygen to the oxygen concentration unit after the other regeneration, and oxygen concentration can be resumed. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that high concentration oxygen with little concentration variation can be provided continuously.

  (8) In the present invention, the control unit causes the oxygen concentration unit to generate the high concentration of oxygen, and the high concentration oxygen generated by one of the oxygen concentration units to be the other oxygen Control is performed to include a flushing state by supplying air to the concentration part, a regeneration state in which adsorbed nitrogen and moisture are desorbed, and a pressure equalization state in which the pressure of the oxygen concentration part is returned to atmospheric pressure. (6) or (7) above.

  According to the invention described in the above (8), since the plurality of oxygen concentration units perform control including the oxygen generation state, the flushing state, the regeneration state, and the pressure equalization state, oxygen generation and nitrogen removal are alternately performed. It has the excellent effect of being able to repeat separation and continuously providing high concentration oxygen with less concentration variation.

  According to the oxygen concentrator according to claims 1 to 8 of the present invention, the excellent effect of continuously providing high concentration oxygen with little concentration variation is exhibited.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the oxygen concentrator which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. (A) A flushing operation in which high concentration oxygen is supplied from the oxygen concentration unit 10A to the oxygen concentration unit 10B, and the oxygen concentration unit 10B after regeneration is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and an explanatory view for explaining the pressure equalization operation. is there. (B) A flushing operation in which high concentration oxygen is supplied from the oxygen concentration unit 10B to the oxygen concentration unit 10A, and the oxygen concentration unit 10A after regeneration is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and an explanatory view for explaining the pressure equalization operation. is there. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement which two oxygen concentration parts repeat alternately production | generation of high concentration oxygen, and regeneration of an oxygen concentration part. (A) It is a graph which shows the time change of the pressure in one oxygen concentration part about two oxygen concentration parts. (B) It is a graph which shows the time change of the pressure in the other oxygen concentration part. (A) It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional oxygen concentrator. (B) It is explanatory drawing explaining the aspect which supplies gas from the port on the left of a figure top in an on-off valve, and insulates gas from a port on the right of a figure top. (C) It is explanatory drawing explaining the aspect which supplies gas from the port on the right of a figure top in an on-off valve, and ventilates gas from the port on the left of a figure top. (D) It is explanatory drawing explaining the time change of oxygen partial pressure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

  FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and in the drawings, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals represent the same thing. In the drawings, a part of the configuration is appropriately omitted to simplify the drawings. Then, the size, shape, thickness and the like of the members are appropriately exaggerated and expressed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an oxygen concentrator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator 1 switches between a compressor (compressor) that generates compressed air, a pressure adjustment unit 30 including a vacuum pump, two oxygen concentrators 10 that generate high concentration oxygen, and the oxygen concentrator 10. And an oxygen tank 40 in which the high concentration of oxygen supplied to the user is stored. The user is supplied with high concentration oxygen from the mask 50 connected to the oxygen tank 40.

  The oxygen concentration unit 10 is also referred to as an oxygen concentration tower, and includes an oxygen concentration catalyst such as zeolite.

  The pressure adjustment unit 30 and the switching unit 20 are connected by the compressed gas air flow passage 115 and the exhaust flow passage 117, compressed air is supplied from the compressor to the oxygen concentration unit 10 through the compressed gas air flow passage 115, and the exhaust flow Nitrogen and moisture adsorbed in the oxygen concentration unit 10 through the passage 117 are exhausted by a vacuum pump. The switching unit 20 and the oxygen concentration unit 10 are connected by a gas exchange flow passage 119, and air supply of compressed air and exhaust of adsorbed nitrogen and moisture are performed. Each of the plurality of oxygen concentration units 10 and the oxygen tank 40 are connected by a plurality of oxygen guide channels 160 respectively. The oxygen guiding flow channel 160 includes a plurality of sub flow channels 120 connected to each of the oxygen concentration units 10 and a main flow channel 155 connected to the side opposite to the user in the oxygen tank 40. The main flow path 155 is connected at the connection point 80.

  Specifically, one of the oxygen guiding flow channels 160 is connected to each of the main flow channel 155 connected to the oxygen tank 40 and the oxygen concentrating portion 10, and a plurality of sub-connections are connected to the main flow channel 155. A plurality of oxygen guide channel check valves 60 are provided respectively in the plurality of sub channels 120, and further downstream from the connection point 80 with the sub channel 120 in the main channel 155. A main channel check valve 65 is provided on the side to prevent a backflow from the oxygen tank 40 to the sub channel 120.

  An oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 is provided on the user side of the oxygen tank 40 for detecting the oxygen partial pressure of the gas supplied.

  A distribution flow path (not shown) is connected to the oxygen guide flow path 160 at the upstream side of each oxygen guide flow path check valve 60. Specifically, one end of the pressure equalizing flow path 150 is connected downstream of the guide path check valve 60 in the plurality of oxygen guide flow paths 160 or to the oxygen tank 40, and the other is connected to the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve 90. Connected Further, one of the distribution flow paths is connected to the upstream side of each of the guide path check valves 60 in the plurality of oxygen guide flow paths 160, and the other is connected to the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90. Then, by opening the pressure equalization flow path opening / closing valve 90, high concentration oxygen flows from the pressure equalization flow path 150 side to the distribution flow path side.

  Specifically, one of the distribution flow channels is connected to the bypass flow channel 130 connecting the plurality of oxygen guide flow channels 160 with each other and the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90, and the other is connected to the branch point 75 in the middle of the bypass flow channel 130 And the common flow path 140 connected.

  As the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90, a poppet type solenoid valve may be used.

  The flow of high concentration oxygen from the oxygen guide flow passage 160 side to the pressure equalization flow passage 150 is restricted in the plurality of distribution flow passages, and the flow of high concentration oxygen from the pressure equalization flow passage 155 to the oxygen guide flow passage 160 side A distribution channel check valve 70 is provided to allow for. Specifically, a distribution flow check valve 70A is provided on the side of the sub flow path 120A with respect to the branch point 75 in the bypass flow path 130, and on the side of the sub flow path 120B with respect to the branch point 75 in the bypass flow passage 130. A distribution passage check valve 70B is provided.

  A so-called combination valve may be used as the oxygen guide passage check valve 60 and the distribution passage check valve 70. By using a combination valve, the number of parts is reduced and the structure is simple, which is also advantageous in cost.

  Further, the sum of the capacities of the sub-flow path 120A and the flow path capacity of the bypass flow path 130 connected to the sub-flow path 120B from the branch point 75 and the resistance to the gas flow in these sub-flow path 120A The total of the capacities of the flow paths of the flow path 120B and the bypass flow path 130 on the side of the oxygen concentration section 10A connected to the sub flow path 120A from the branch point 75 and the flow of gas in these sub flow paths 120B side flow path It is desirable that the resistances be approximately equal to each other. Similarly, it is desirable that the resistance to the flow of gas in the oxygen concentration section 10A and the resistance to the flow of gas in the oxygen concentration section 10B be substantially equal. It is because the fluctuation | variation of oxygen concentration can be decreased by becoming substantially equal about several oxygen concentration part 10 about the speed | rate until it can reach | attain predetermined | prescribed oxygen concentration, and a reproduction | regeneration speed | rate.

  In FIG. 2A, the oxygen concentration unit 10A supplies high concentration oxygen to the oxygen concentration unit 10B to flush the regenerated oxygen concentration unit 10B with oxygen, and pressure equalization to return to atmospheric pressure. It is an explanatory view explaining operation.

  The oxygen concentrator 1 uses the pressure adjustment unit 30 that adjusts the pressure of the plurality of oxygen concentration units 10, the switching unit 20 that switches the plurality of oxygen concentration units 10, and the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100. A switching unit 20 and a control unit that controls the pressure equalizing passage opening / closing valve 90 and the like are provided. The pressure adjustment unit 30 is provided on the upstream side of the plurality of oxygen concentration units 10, and the switching unit 20 is provided between the pressure adjustment unit 30 and the plurality of oxygen concentration units 10.

  When the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 reaches a predetermined value, the control unit opens the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90 to allow at least one oxygen concentration unit 10 to Control is performed to supply the generated high concentration oxygen to at least one other oxygen concentration unit 10 via the pressure equalizing channel 90 and the distribution channel.

  Specifically, the oxygen concentration unit 10A is in a state of generating oxygen, and the oxygen concentration unit 10B is evacuated by the vacuum pump of the pressure adjustment unit 30 through the exhaust flow passage 117 to remove nitrogen and moisture. It is assumed that you When the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 reaches a predetermined value, the control unit (not shown) opens the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90, and the switching unit 20 switches the oxygen concentration unit 10. Supply of compressed air to the air and stopping the vacuuming of the oxygen concentrating unit 10B.

  The high concentration oxygen generated in the oxygen concentration unit 10A flows in the sub flow passage 120A and flows to the pressure equalizing flow passage 150 through the oxygen guide flow passage check valve 60A. Then, it flows to the common flow path 140 through the pressure equalization flow path on / off valve 90 in the open state. Here, the pressure is equal on the upstream side of the oxygen guide passage check valve 60A and on the side of the branch point 75 of the distribution passage check valve 70A. The pressure of the latter is low on the upstream side of the oxygen guide passage check valve 60B and on the branch point 75 side of the distribution passage check valve 70B. Therefore, the oxygen that has reached the common flow passage 140 flows through the distribution flow check valve 70B to the oxygen concentration unit 10B to perform cleaning (flushing operation) of the oxygen concentration unit 10B, and the internal pressure of the oxygen concentration unit 10B is increased. Return to atmospheric pressure (pressure equalization operation).

  When the oxygen concentration unit 10B returns to the atmospheric pressure and nitrogen adsorption becomes possible, and a high concentration of oxygen can be generated, the control unit closes the pressure equalizing passage opening / closing valve 90. The control unit controls the switching unit 20 to supply compressed air from the compressor of the pressure adjustment unit 30 to the oxygen concentration unit 10B via the gas exchange flow path 119B to start generation of high concentration oxygen. At the same time, the control unit controls the switching unit 20 so that the vacuum pump of the pressure adjustment unit 30 exhausts nitrogen and moisture adsorbed from the oxygen concentration unit 10A through the gas exchange flow path 119A, and the regeneration operation of the oxygen concentration unit 10A To start. In order to perform these controls, it is desirable that the oxygen concentrator 1 be provided with detection units for detecting the pressures in the oxygen concentration unit 10A and the oxygen concentration unit 10B.

  In FIG. 2B, a flushing operation for supplying oxygen of high concentration to the oxygen concentration unit 10A from the oxygen concentration unit 10B to wash the regenerated oxygen concentration unit 10A, and setting the oxygen concentration unit 10A to the atmospheric pressure It is an explanatory view explaining pressure equalization operation etc. which are returned. The gas flow and the like and the effects are the same as those in FIG.

  The control unit includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and executes various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit, and various programs are executed to realize various functions. The RAM is used as a working state and a storage state of the CPU, and the ROM stores an operating system and programs executed by the CPU.

  Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 illustrates an operation in which two oxygen concentrators 10A (see FIG. 1) and oxygen concentrators 10B (see FIG. 1) in the oxygen concentrator 1 alternately repeat generation of high concentration oxygen and regeneration of the oxygen concentrator. Is a flow chart.

First, the oxygen concentrator 1 generates high concentration oxygen in the oxygen concentrator 10A. For this purpose, the control unit controls the pressure adjusting unit 30 and the switching unit 20 to supply compressed air to the oxygen concentrating unit 10A (step S1). At the same time, the control unit controls the pressure adjusting unit 30 and the switching unit 20 to discharge the oxygen concentrating unit 10B so as to desorb nitrogen and moisture adsorbed by the oxygen concentrating unit 10B (step S2).

  In the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 (see FIG. 1), when the oxygen partial pressure of the main flow passage 155 reaches a predetermined value (YES side in step S3), the control unit opens the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve 90 (Step S4). In the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 (see FIG. 1), if the oxygen partial pressure in the main flow channel 155 does not reach the predetermined value (NO side in step S3), the oxygen concentration unit 10A continues to generate oxygen (step S3) Return to S1).

  When the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90 is opened, oxygen is led from the oxygen concentration unit 10A to the oxygen concentration unit 10B that has been vacuumed, and the inside of the oxygen concentration unit 10B is flushed with oxygen at the same time The pressure inside the portion 10B is equalized to atmospheric pressure. At this time, the pressure of the oxygen concentration unit 10A is also lowered, and the pressure is the same as that of the oxygen concentration unit 10B. (Step S5). Once the pressure equalization has been achieved, the control unit closes the pressure equalization flow path opening / closing valve 90, controls the pressure adjustment unit 30 and the switching unit 20, and starts generation of high concentration oxygen in the oxygen concentration unit 10B ( Step S7). At the same time, the control unit controls the pressure adjustment unit 30 and the switching unit 20 to evacuate the oxygen concentration unit 10A so as to desorb nitrogen and moisture adsorbed by the oxygen concentration unit 10A (step S8).

  In the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 (see FIG. 1), when the oxygen partial pressure in the main flow passage 155 reaches a predetermined value (YES side in step S9), the control unit opens the pressure equalizing flow on-off valve 90 (Step S10). In the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 (see FIG. 1), if the oxygen partial pressure in the main flow channel 155 does not reach the predetermined value (NO side in step S9), oxygen generation unit 10A continues to generate oxygen (step S9) Return to S7).

  When the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90 is opened, oxygen is led from the oxygen concentration unit 10B to the oxygen concentration unit 10A that has been vacuumed, and the inside of the oxygen concentration unit 10A is flushed with oxygen at the same time as oxygen concentration. The pressure inside the portion 10A is equalized to atmospheric pressure.

  Then, when the oxygen concentrating unit 10A and the oxygen concentrating unit 10B are equalized in pressure, the control unit closes the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve 90 (step 12) to control the pressure adjusting unit 30 and the switching unit 20 Generation of high concentration oxygen is started in the concentration unit 10A (return to step S1).

  The oxygen concentrator 1 can continuously generate high concentration oxygen by performing such an operation in a cycle of, for example, several tens of seconds.

  FIG. 4 (A) is a graph showing the time change of pressure for the oxygen concentrating unit 10A of the two oxygen concentrating units 10, and FIG. 4 (B) is the time of the pressure in the oxygen concentrating unit 10B at the same time. It is a graph which shows change.

  First, in the oxygen generation state 200 (see FIG. 4A) in which oxygen is generated in the oxygen concentration unit 10A, the pressure in the oxygen concentration unit 10A is increased. When the oxygen partial pressure reaches a predetermined value in the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 (see FIG. 1), the control unit opens the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90 and simultaneously switches the switching unit 20 and the pressure adjustment unit 30. In the flushing state 210 (see FIG. 4A) in which the control unit controls the oxygen concentrator 1 to supply oxygen from the oxygen concentration unit 10A to the oxygen concentration unit 10B and cleans the inside of the oxygen concentration unit 10B. Migrate. When the pressure in the oxygen concentration section 10A is equalized to atmospheric pressure, the pressure equalizing flow path opening / closing valve 90 is closed, and the control section controls the switching section 20 and the pressure adjustment section 30 to set the pressure in the oxygen concentration section 10A. The exhaust is started to shift to the regeneration state 220 (see FIG. 4A). At this time, the adsorbed nitrogen and moisture are exhausted from the inside of the oxygen concentration unit 10A, and the oxygen concentration unit 10A is regenerated.

  Thereafter, if the oxygen partial pressure in the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 reaches a predetermined value due to oxygen generated by the oxygen concentration unit 10B (the oxygen generation state 200 in FIG. 4B), the control unit At the same time as opening the on-off valve 90, the switching unit 20 and the pressure adjusting unit 30 are controlled, and the control unit supplies oxygen from the oxygen concentrating unit 10B to the oxygen concentrating unit 10A to control oxygen concentration The state is shifted to the flushing state 210 (see FIG. 4B) in which the inside of the section 10A is cleaned.

  The oxygen concentrator 1 can continuously generate high concentration oxygen by performing such pressure change in a cycle of, for example, several tens of seconds.

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for the plurality of oxygen concentrating units 10, for example, the oxygen generated by one oxygen concentrating unit 10A is supplied to the other oxygen concentrating unit 10B to be at atmospheric pressure. In the flushing state to be returned, oxygen gas always flows in the same direction through the pressure equalizing passage on-off valve. Therefore, since the change in the resistance received in the flow path is reduced, the difference in the regeneration time of each oxygen concentration unit 10 is reduced, and the excellent effect is obtained that the fluctuation of the oxygen concentration of high concentration oxygen supplied to the user is less likely to occur. Play.

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, by providing an inexpensive two-way on-off valve as the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve 90 between the pressure equalizing flow path 150 and the common flow path 140 The excellent effect is obtained that fluctuation of the oxygen concentration of the high concentration oxygen supplied is unlikely to occur.

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen guiding flow passage 160 is connected to the sub flow passage 120 connected to each of the plurality of oxygen concentrating units 10 at the connection point 80 and is connected to the oxygen tank 40 As the main flow path 155 is connected, each of the sub flow paths 120 has the oxygen guide flow path check valve 60, and the main flow path 155 further has the main flow path check valve 65, the gas supplied to the user The excellent effect is obtained that the change in oxygen concentration is small.

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since each of the oxygen concentrators 10 has an oxygen concentration catalyst, while the at least one oxygen concentrator 10 is producing oxygen, the other oxygen concentrators It becomes possible to perform a regenerating operation for desorbing nitrogen and the like from the part 10, and it is possible to continuously provide high concentration oxygen with little concentration variation.

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the oxygen partial pressure of the oxygen tank 40 can be detected on the downstream side of the main flow path check valve 65, high concentration oxygen with less concentration fluctuation can be provided continuously. An excellent effect of being able to

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the oxygen generated in one oxygen concentrating unit 10A is returned to the atmospheric pressure by supplying the oxygen regeneration unit 10B after the other regeneration to oxygen concentration The present invention has an excellent effect of continuously providing high concentration oxygen with little concentration variation.

  According to the oxygen concentrator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of oxygen concentrators 100 perform control including the oxygen generation state 200, the flushing state 210, the regeneration state 220, and the pressure equalization state 230. It has an excellent effect that oxygen generation and nitrogen desorption can be alternately repeated, and high concentration oxygen with less concentration fluctuation can be provided continuously.

  The oxygen concentrator according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, as a modified embodiment, three or more oxygen concentrators 10 may be provided. In this case, the gas exchange flow passage 119, the sub flow passage 120, the oxygen guide flow passage check valve 60, the distribution flow passage check valve 70, and the like corresponding to the respective oxygen concentration units 10 are required. Needless to say.

  Further, although the oxygen partial pressure detection unit 100 is used here to grasp the oxygen concentration supplied to the user by the mask 50, a flow meter or a normal pressure gauge may be used.

Reference Signs List 1 oxygen concentrator 10 oxygen concentrating unit 20 switching unit 30 pressure adjusting unit 40 oxygen tank 50 mask 60 oxygen guide passage check valve 65 main passage check valve 70 distribution passage check valve 75 branch point 80 connection point 90 pressure equalizing flow Path opening / closing valve 100 Oxygen partial pressure detection unit 115 Compressed gas air supply flow path 117 Exhaust flow path 119 Gas exchange flow path 120 Secondary flow path 130 Bypass flow path 140 Shared flow path 150 Pressure equalizing flow path 155 Main flow path 160 Oxygen guide flow path 200 Oxygen Production state 210 Flushing state 220 Regeneration state 230 Pressure equalization state 301 Oxygen concentrator 310 Oxygen concentration part 320 Switching part 330 Pressure adjustment part 340 Oxygen tank 350 Mask 360 Check valve 370 Pressure equalizing open / close valve 372 Solenoid assembly 374 Core assembly 376 first port 378 second port 380 bypass flow path With 90 a spring check valve 400 main channel 410 oxygen partial pressure detector

Claims (8)

Multiple oxygen concentrators that produce high concentrations of oxygen,
An oxygen tank in which the high concentration of oxygen supplied to the user is stored;
A plurality of oxygen guiding flow paths, each of which is connected to the oxygen tank, and which guides the high concentration of oxygen from the oxygen concentrating unit to the oxygen tank;
A plurality of oxygen guiding channel check valves respectively provided in the plurality of oxygen guiding channels and preventing backflow of the high concentration oxygen from the oxygen tank to the plurality of the oxygen concentration sections;
A pressure equalizing flow path in which one side is connected to a downstream side of the guide path check valve in the plurality of oxygen guide flow paths or the oxygen tank and the other side is connected to the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve;
A plurality of distribution channels, one of which is connected to the upstream side of each of the guide passage check valves in the plurality of oxygen guide channels, and the other of which is connected to the pressure equalizing channel on-off valve;
A plurality of distribution channels are respectively provided to regulate the flow of the high concentration oxygen from the oxygen guide channel side to the pressure equalizing channel on-off valve, and the height from the pressure equalizing channel to the oxygen guide channel side And a plurality of distribution passage check valves for allowing the flow of concentration oxygen,
The oxygen concentrator characterized in that the high concentration oxygen flows from the pressure equalizing flow path side to the distribution flow path side by opening the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve. The plurality of distribution channels are
A bypass flow path connecting a plurality of the oxygen guide flow paths, and a common flow path connected to one end to the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve and the other connected to a branch point in the middle of the bypass flow path The oxygen concentrator of claim 1, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured. The plurality of oxygen guiding channels are
A main flow path connected to the oxygen tank;
One of the plurality of sub-flow channels is connected to one of the oxygen concentration sections and the other is connected to the main flow channel,
A plurality of the oxygen guide passage check valves are respectively provided in the plurality of the sub-passages, and further provided downstream of a connection point with the sub-passage in the main passage, from the oxygen tank The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main flow check valve that prevents reverse flow to the sub flow.   The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of the oxygen concentration units include an oxygen concentration catalyst.   The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an oxygen partial pressure detection unit that detects an oxygen partial pressure in a gas supplied to the user. A pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the plurality of the oxygen concentration units;
A switching unit that switches a plurality of the oxygen concentration units;
And a control unit configured to control the switching unit and the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve based on the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit,
The oxygen according to claim 5, wherein the pressure adjusting unit is provided upstream of the plurality of oxygen concentrating units, and the switching unit is provided between the pressure adjusting unit and the plurality of oxygen concentrating units. Concentrator.   When the oxygen partial pressure detected by the oxygen partial pressure detection unit reaches a predetermined value, the control unit opens the pressure equalizing flow path on-off valve to allow at least one of the oxygen concentration steps to be performed. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the high concentration oxygen generated by the unit is controlled to be supplied to at least one other oxygen concentration unit via the pressure equalizing channel and the distribution channel. Oxygen concentrator. The control unit may include the oxygen concentration unit.
An oxygen generation state that generates the high concentration of oxygen;
The high concentration oxygen generated in one oxygen concentration unit is supplied to the other oxygen concentration unit to perform a flushing state,
Regenerated state to desorb adsorbed nitrogen and moisture,
The oxygen concentrator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein control is performed so as to include a pressure equalization state in which the pressure of the oxygen concentration unit is returned to the atmospheric pressure.

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