JP2526535B2 - Inhaler - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for the treatment of inflammation and the like occurring in the respiratory system of the human body, and in particular, a so-called steam which sprays an inhalation liquid (chemical liquid) using a steam jet. It relates to an inhaler of the type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An inhaler of this type includes an inhalation cup for containing an inhalation liquid (chemical liquid), an inhalation liquid nozzle for sucking up and spraying the inhalation liquid (chemical liquid) from the inhalation cup, and an ejection port near the inhalation liquid nozzle. , A water supply tank having a tank lid for containing water for generating steam, and a heater arranged below the water supply tank for heating the water, In general, the structure is such that the steam nozzle is communicated with the upper part of the water supply tank and the suction liquid is sprayed from the suction liquid nozzle when the steam is jetted from the steam nozzle.

However, in this device, for example, about 50 cc of water contained in a water supply tank is heated by a heater to generate steam, and in order to generate steam, the heater is energized, that is, suction (spraying) is started in 3 minutes. It takes some time.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed, in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-11935, to shorten the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spray). This will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1 is an inhaler body, 2 is a body cover, 3 is a suction cup containing the suction liquid M, 4 is a suction liquid nozzle that sucks up and sprays the suction liquid M, and 5 is a jet nozzle located near the suction liquid nozzle 4. Steam nozzles arranged so that 7 is water
A water supply tank having a tank lid 8 for accommodating W, 9 is a water tank with a small capacity that is provided in parallel with the water heater 7 and a heater 10 that heats the water. , 11 is a water supply pipe, 12 is a vapor storage chamber, and 13 is a communication pipe. In this case, since water is heated in the small-capacity water heating chamber 9, steam is generated tens of seconds after the heater 10 is energized, and the steam in the steam reservoir chamber 12 quickly becomes high pressure. It is ejected from the steam nozzle 5. When this steam is ejected, the intake liquid M is sucked up through the intake liquid nozzle 4 due to the Venturi effect, and the intake liquid M and the steam are mixed and sprayed from the main body cover 2 after a relatively short time has elapsed since the heater was energized. It Further, the pressure in the vapor reservoir chamber 12 is fed back to the water supply tank 7 through the communication pipe 13, so that the pressures on the water surfaces of the water supply tank 7 and the boiling water chamber 9 are equalized.

[0005]

According to the above-mentioned proposal by the applicant of the present application, the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying) can be greatly shortened, but the following points are improved. It leaves room for First, the kettle room
Since water is in contact with the high-temperature heater 10 that forms 9, so-called sudden boiling water may occur rapidly, but from the boiling chamber 9 to the steam reservoir 12 and the steam nozzle 5, the water surface is roughly Since it is located orthogonally to and has a relatively short path, bumping water may be discharged from the main body cover 2 through the path, and in such a case, the user may be burned. Further, in order to equalize the pressures on the water surfaces of the water supply tank 7 and the boiling water chamber 9, a communication pipe 13 that penetrates the water supply tank 7 and the steam storage chamber 12 is provided, so that steam does not leak from these locations. Airtight treatment is required and the number of places causing vapor leakage increases. Also, the steam nozzle 5
Since the internal pressure rises when is clogged with water stains, etc., the safety valve that releases that pressure to the outside is regulated by law, but normally when this is installed in the vapor reservoir 12,
A dedicated member is required, which increases the space and the number of parts.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A first object of the present invention is that the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying) is short and the boiling water is The second purpose is to provide an inhaler that is difficult to discharge to the outside, and the second purpose is to provide an inhaler in which a safety valve is installed by utilizing the existing essential members and the increase in the space and the number of parts is small. A third object is to provide an inhaler which achieves both the first and second objects described above.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, the inhaler according to claim 1 is capable of obtaining a water level substantially equal to that of the water supply tank, and is provided in the water supply tank together with a heater for heating water. A small-capacity water heating chamber that is provided, and a portion of the space formed by the water tank and the tank lid where water does not exist communicates with the water heating chamber to form a steam storage chamber,
The vapor nozzle is connected to this.

In the inhaler according to the second aspect, the vapor reservoir chamber according to the first aspect is formed by a ring-shaped recess provided axially below the tank lid.

An inhaler according to a third aspect of the present invention is capable of obtaining a water level substantially equal to that of the water supply tank, and is provided with a heater for heating water and a small-capacity water heating chamber arranged in parallel in the water supply tank. The water supply tank is provided with a communication part that communicates with the outside, and the inner end of this communication part is closed by an elastic actuator provided on the tank lid, and the pressure in the water supply tank exceeds a certain value. At this time, the elastic actuating body opens the inner end of the communicating portion.

The inhaler according to claim 4 is the device according to claim 1 or 2.
In the described one, the water supply tank is provided with a communication portion that communicates with the outside, and the inner end of the communication portion is closed by an elastic operating member provided on the tank lid, and the pressure in the water supply tank is a constant value. The elastic actuating body opens the inner end of the communicating portion when the temperature exceeds the value.

[0011]

According to the structure of the first aspect, a small-capacity water heating chamber arranged in parallel in the water supply tank can shorten the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying), and the water heating chamber is projected into the water heating chamber. Even if boiling water is generated, it does not reach the steam nozzle unless it rises vertically and then changes direction horizontally, so most of the boiling water returns to the boiling water chamber or water tank and is discharged to the outside through the steam nozzle. You can do almost nothing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the steam is separated from the water in the water supply tank, so that the steam loss can be reduced, and when there is bumping water reaching the steam storage chamber,
The central shaft portion that constitutes the vapor storage chamber contributes to suppressing the progress of the bumping water and preventing it from being discharged to the outside.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a small-capacity water heating chamber arranged in parallel in the water supply tank can shorten the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying), and
Since the safety valve was formed by providing the water supply tank with the communication part and the tank lid with the elastic actuating element that closes and opens the communication part, the existing essential members are used to install the safety valve, and the increase in space and the number of parts is small. Become.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying) can be shortened by the small-capacity water heating chambers arranged in parallel in the water supply tank.
Almost none can be discharged to the outside through the steam nozzle, and the existing essential members can be utilized when installing the safety valve, so that the space and the number of parts are not increased.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The members having the same basic functions as those described with reference to FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Reference numeral 1 is an inhaler main body, and 2 is a main body cover, which form an outer shell of the inhaler. Inhaler body 1
Has a mounting portion 1a including a boss or the like below, and a standing wall 1b is erected from the mounting portion 1a to form an inner housing portion 1c and an outer housing portion 1d open to the outside. The outer accommodating portion 1d includes a standing wall 1b and a standing wall.
It is partitioned by an upper wall 1e connected to the upper end of 1b and a mounting portion 1a. 1f is a through hole formed in the upper wall 1e, and 1g is a pressing member including a boss and the like, which presses and fixes a water supply tank described later.
The body cover 2 is detachably engaged with the upper end of the inhaler body 1 including the inner housing 1c so as to cover the upper surface thereof. The main body cover 2 is formed with an outlet 2a corresponding to the outlet of a steam nozzle described later.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an inhalation cup, which has a bottomed cylindrical shape for accommodating the inhalation liquid (chemical liquid) M and is placed on the placing portion 1a of the outer accommodation portion 1d. On the outside of the lower part of the suction cup 3, the drain pan 14
Are integrally formed with each other, and enter into the inner housing portion 1c through the opening of the standing wall 1b.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a suction liquid nozzle, which is formed sufficiently longer than the suction cup 3 so as to suck up and spray the suction liquid M of the suction cup 3, and the lower suction port 4a has a suction port 3a.
Located near the bottom of the main body, the upper ejection port 4b advances into the main body cover 2 and is detachably attached to a support member (not shown).

Reference numeral 5 denotes a steam nozzle, which is integrally formed with a water supply tank which will be described later, and has an inlet 5a on the side of the water tank and an ejection port 5b on the tip side. The jet port 5b is located near the jet port 4b of the suction liquid nozzle 4. The above-mentioned support member (not shown) is designed so that both ejection ports 4b, 5b can be attached with a predetermined positional relationship.

A water supply tank 7 stores water W for generating steam. In this embodiment, in addition to the integral formation of the steam nozzle 5 described above, the structure is as follows because of a rational configuration of a boiling water chamber, a steam reservoir, etc. described later.
That is, the portion containing the water W has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape with the peripheral wall 7a and the bottom portion 7b, and a male screw 7c is engraved on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 7a in the vicinity of the opening edge, and the entrance 5a of the steam nozzle 5 is located below the male screw 7c. Is provided. A communication portion 7d that communicates with the outside of the water supply tank 7 is formed in the shape of a hollow pipe in the center of the peripheral wall 7a. The communicating portion 7d extends to a position where its inner opening end is sufficiently submerged from the opening end of the water supply tank 7 (more specifically, a position slightly submerged from the communication passage described later), and below the bottom portion 7b, the suction cup 3 is formed. And the outer opening end is located above the drainage tray 14. The communication portion 7d originally has a function of discharging the excess water W when the excess water W is supplied to the water supply tank 7, but in the present invention, as will be described later, in addition to the internal It also has a function of releasing the pressure to the outside when the pressure rises abnormally. Further, between the male screw 7c of the peripheral wall 7a and the entry port 5a, a flange portion 7e for being fixed by a pressing member 1g is formed. Also a steam nozzle
A water supply passage 11 and a communication passage 13 extending in a direction orthogonal to the peripheral wall 7a are integrally formed on the peripheral wall 7a on the side opposite to the side on which 5 is formed,
Furthermore, at the tip of each of the paths 11 and 13, there is a wall 7f that constitutes the water heating chamber.
7g of heater attachment parts are connected in series. Water supply channel 11 and communication passage
The position of 13 in the height direction is such that the former substantially corresponds to the lowermost part of the peripheral wall 7a and the latter substantially corresponds to the entrance 5a.

A tank lid 8 serves as a lid for the water supply tank 7 and also closes the inward opening end of the communicating portion 7d. That is, the tank lid 8 has a base portion 8a having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 7a.
And an outer peripheral tube portion 8b having an inner peripheral surface engraved with a female screw 8c to be screwed into a male screw 7c, and a central shaft portion 8d continuously provided on the central lower surface of the base portion 8a.
And a flange 8e having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 7a that is continuously provided at the end of the central shaft portion 8d and is integrally formed. Therefore, a ring-shaped recess is formed below the tank lid 8 in the axial direction. Reference numeral 8f is a seal packing provided at the center of the lower surface of the collar portion 8e for closing the inward opening end of the communication portion 7d, and 13a is a communication hole provided in the collar portion 8e. After the water W is supplied to the water supply tank 7, the tank lid 8 is closed by the seal packing 8f.
The female screw 8c is screwed into the male screw 7c via the ring-shaped seal packing until the inner open end of the is surely closed. In this state, the ring-shaped recess of the tank lid 8 and the peripheral wall 7a form a ring-shaped space, which serves as the vapor reservoir 12. The steam reservoir 12 has a communication passage 13 on one side and a steam nozzle on the other side.
Connect to entrance 5a of 5.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a boiling water chamber, which is provided in parallel with the water supply tank 7 with a small capacity so that a water level substantially equal to that of the water supply tank 7 is obtained and the amount of water supplied thereto is small. You. Specifically, one side surface of the water heating chamber 9 also serves as a plate-shaped heater 10 for heating water, and therefore the length of the heater 10 in the vertical (water level) direction is set to be substantially the same as that of the water supply tank 7. Attached to the heater attachment part 7g,
The water heating chamber 9 is formed by 10 and the wall portion 7f of the water supply tank 7. The heater 10 has terminals 10a, 10a to which a lead wire is joined and connected to a power source via power control means or the like.

A water supply tank having the water heating chamber 9 thus formed
7 is fixed to the inhaler body 1 by the mounting portion 1a of the inhaler body 1 and the pressing member 1g.

As a preparatory work, such an inhaler is
Inhalation liquid (chemical liquid) M is injected into the suction cup 3, and the suction cup 3 is stored (set) in the outer storage portion 1d of the inhaler body 1. Next, water W is supplied to the water supply tank 7 and the water supply tank 7 is supplied.
The tank lid 8 is screwed into the water supply tank 7 so as to seal the inside and close the inner opening end of the communication portion 7d. The water W supplied to the water supply tank 7 flows into the water heating chamber 9 through the water supply passage 11, and the water levels WS _{1 and} WS ₂ of both are equal. Then, the body cover 2 is locked to the inhaler body 1.

After the completion of this preparatory work, when the heater 10 is energized, the water in the boiling water chamber 9 is heated and steam is generated after several tens of seconds, and this steam passes through the communication passage 13 and the steam accumulation chamber 12 Are stored in the steam storage chamber 12, and the pressure inside the steam storage chamber 12 becomes high, and the steam is ejected from the ejection port 5b of the steam nozzle 5. When this vapor is ejected, the intake liquid M is absorbed by the Venturi effect.
It is sucked up through and mixed with the vapor, and this is sprayed (inhaled) from the outlet 2a of the main body cover 2.
Further, since the steam stored in the steam storage chamber 12 is isolated from the water in the water supply tank 7, steam loss can be reduced. Further, since the pressure in the steam reservoir 12 is fed back to the water supply tank 7 through the communication hole 13a, the pressures on the water surfaces of the water heating chamber 9 and the water supply tank 7 are equalized. Therefore, even if the water in the water heating chamber 9 is vaporized and the water level WS2 is lowered to cause a difference from the water level WS1 in the water supply tank 7, the water in the water supply tank 7 passes through the water supply passage 11 due to the above-mentioned pressure, Water is supplied to the water heating chamber 9 until it reaches the same water level. With such water level balancing action, steam is continuously generated in the water heating chamber 9, so that pulsation does not occur in the jet of steam, and therefore a so-called breathing phenomenon does not occur.

The so-called bumping water that has boiled rapidly on the surface of the heater 10 does not reach the steam nozzle 5 unless it rises in the vertical direction and then changes direction in the horizontal direction. Or go back to the water tank 7 and use the steam nozzle
Almost nothing can be discharged to the outside after 5 steps. Furthermore, if there is bumping water that has reached the vapor reservoir 12,
The central shaft portion 8d prevents the bumping water from advancing and prevents it from being discharged to the outside.

In this embodiment, the ring-shaped recess formed by providing the collar portion 8e below the tank lid 8 is used as the vapor storage chamber 12. However, the collar portion 8e is omitted and a space where water does not exist is formed. It may be used as a vapor reservoir. In this case, the steam and water come into contact with each other, so that the steam loss is slightly increased, but the shape of the tank lid 8 can be simplified.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on. This is different from the first embodiment only in the tank lid and its periphery, and the substantially same members are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This tank lid 28, like the first embodiment,
It serves as a lid for the water supply tank 7 and also closes the inward opening end of the communication portion 7d. Further, when the pressure in the water supply tank 7 exceeds a certain value, it has a function of a safety valve that releases the pressure to the outside. That is, the tank lid 28 has the same base as the first embodiment.
28a, an outer peripheral tubular portion 28b engraved with an internal thread 28c, a central shaft portion 28d, and a flange portion 28e provided with a communication hole 23a, so that a ring-shaped recess is formed axially downward. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the tank lid 28 has a stepped through-hole 28g that has a small diameter in the upper part and a large diameter in the lower part at the center, and further expands in a chamfered shape below the large diameter part. The coil spring 29 and the spring guide 30 are inserted into the large diameter portion, and the diaphragm 31 that hermetically closes the through hole 28g is fixed to the collar portion 28e.

The diaphragm 31 is formed with a valve body portion 31a at the center, an attachment portion 31b at the outer peripheral edge, and a thin elastic portion 31c at the ring portion connecting these. The diaphragm 31 is fixed to the collar portion 28e by a disc-shaped fixing plate 32 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the communication portion 7d while pressing the attachment portion 31b.
It is done by fusion or screwing to 28e. The valve body portion 31a of the diaphragm 31 has an upper surface abutting on the spring guide 30 and a lower surface closing the inward opening end of the communication portion 7d. FIG.
In the state, the tank lid 28 is screwed into the water supply tank 7 and the valve body portion 31a closes the inward opening end of the communication portion 7d. In this state, the coil spring 29 is compressed by a predetermined amount, and therefore the diaphragm 31 receives the spring force F and the atmospheric pressure P0 to close the communication portion 7d. That is, the diaphragm 31 is an elastic actuator having a valve function.

The diaphragm 31 which is the elastic actuator is
When the inhaler is operating normally, the spring force F and the atmospheric pressure P0 are downwardly directed in the figure, and the pressure P1 corresponding to the vapor pressure and the atmospheric pressure P0 are similarly upwardly directed from the communication portion 7d. The spring force F is sufficiently larger than the normal pressure P1, and therefore the diaphragm 31 surely closes the inward opening end of the communication portion 7d. However, if the steam nozzle 5 is clogged with water stains or the like, the pressure in the water supply tank 7 rises abnormally and the pressure P1 becomes larger than the spring force F. At that time, the valve body portion 31a of the diaphragm 31 is lifted by the pressure P1, and thus the communication portion
The inward opening end of 7d is opened, and its pressure is released to the outside through the communicating portion 7d. In order to guarantee this operation, the coil spring 29 is designed so that the valve body portion 31a of the diaphragm 31 is lifted when the pressure in the water supply tank exceeds a certain value.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the time from energization of the heater 10 to the start of suction (spraying) can be shortened, and the water tank 7 can be connected to the communicating portion 7d,
Since the safety valve was formed by providing each elastic actuator (diaphragm 31) that closes and opens the communication part on the tank lid 28, the existing essential members are used to install the safety valve, and the space and the number of parts are not increased. .

Although the elastic actuator of this embodiment uses a diaphragm and further uses a coil spring and a spring guide, the invention is not limited to this, and appropriate design changes can be made based on the idea of the present invention.

[0034]

In the inhaler according to the first aspect of the present invention, a small-capacity water heating chamber arranged in parallel in the water supply tank can shorten the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying), and at the same time Even if bumping water is generated, it does not reach the steam nozzle unless it rises in the vertical direction and then turns in the horizontal direction, so most of the boiling water returns to the boiling water chamber or the water supply tank, and goes outside through the steam nozzle. Almost nothing can be discharged.

In addition to the device according to claim 1, the inhaler according to claim 2 is capable of reducing steam loss because steam is separated from the water in the water supply tank, and there is bumping water that has reached the steam storage chamber. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the central shaft forming the vapor reservoir from suppressing the progress of the bumping water and discharging it to the outside.

In the inhaler according to the third aspect of the present invention, a small-capacity water heating chamber arranged in parallel in the water supply tank can shorten the time from energization of the heater to the start of suction (spraying), and a communicating portion with the water supply tank, Since the safety valve is formed by providing each elastic actuating member for closing and opening the communication portion on the tank lid, the existing essential members are utilized for installing the safety valve, and the space and the number of parts are not increased.

In the inhaler according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a small-capacity water heating chamber arranged in parallel in the water tank can shorten the time from energization of the heater to the start of inhalation (spraying), and at the same time to the outside via the steam nozzle. Almost nothing can be discharged, and when installing the safety valve, existing essential members are utilized to reduce the space and the number of parts.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the relevant part.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of what has been previously proposed by the applicant of the present application.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Inhaler body 2 Body cover 3 Suction cup 4 Suction liquid nozzle 5 Steam nozzle 7 Water tank 8 Tank lid (28 in the second embodiment) 9 Water heating chamber 10 Heater 11 Water supply channel 12 Steam reservoir 13 Communication channel M Inhalation liquid (Medicinal solution) W water

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A suction cup for containing a suction liquid, a suction liquid nozzle for sucking and spraying the suction liquid of the suction cup, a steam nozzle arranged so that a jet port is located near the suction liquid nozzle, and a steam. Water tank having a tank lid that stores water for generating water, and a small-capacity water heating chamber that is provided in parallel with the water tank and that can obtain a water level approximately equal to that of the water tank and that heats the water. In the inhaler in which the suction liquid is sucked up from the suction liquid nozzle when the steam generated in the water heating chamber is ejected from the steam nozzle, and is mixed with the steam and sprayed, the water supply tank and the tank lid are An inhaler characterized in that a portion of the space formed by which there is no water communicates with a boiling water chamber to form a vapor reservoir, and a vapor nozzle communicates with this. 2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the vapor reservoir is formed by a ring-shaped recess provided axially below the tank lid. 3. A suction cup for containing the suction liquid, a suction liquid nozzle for sucking up and spraying the suction liquid of the suction cup, a steam nozzle arranged so that a jet port is located near the suction liquid nozzle, and steam. Water tank having a tank lid that stores water for generating water, and a small-capacity water heating chamber that is provided in parallel with the water tank and that can obtain a water level approximately equal to that of the water tank and that heats the water. In the inhaler in which the suction liquid is sucked up from the suction liquid nozzle when the steam generated in the water heating chamber is ejected from the steam nozzle and is mixed with the steam to be sprayed, the water supply tank communicates with the outside. Is provided so that the inner end of this communicating portion is closed by an elastic actuating member provided on the tank lid, and when the pressure in the water supply tank exceeds a certain value, the elastic actuating member is Opening the inner end An inhaler characterized by. 4. The inhaler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
The water tank is provided with a communicating part that communicates with the outside, and the inner end of this communicating part is closed by an elastic actuator provided on the tank lid, which is elastic when the pressure in the water tank exceeds a certain value. An inhaler characterized in that the actuating body opens the inner end of the communication part.