JP4530212B2 - Breath analysis device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a breath analysis apparatus that measures and analyzes breath using a gas sensor.

  An exhalation analyzer using a gas sensor including a gas sensitive body formed of a metal oxide semiconductor, for example, is known for measuring and analyzing exhaled breath such as measurement of alcohol concentration in breath and determination of halitosis level. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2.) In such an exhalation analyzer, an exhalation air inlet is formed on the front surface of the main body, and a gas sensor is disposed inside the main body, and the exhaled air injected from the exhalation air inlet guides this to the gas sensor disposition unit. It circulates through the exhalation introduction path, reaches the gas sensor arrangement part, and contacts the gas sensor. Based on the output of the gas sensor at this time, expiration measurement and analysis are performed.

JP 2000-304715 A JP 2001-333925 A

  In a conventional breath analysis apparatus using a gas sensor, the output fluctuates depending on the flow rate, pressure, angle, and the like of the breath that contacts the gas sensor, and this causes variations in the results of breath measurement and analysis. In other words, in order to accurately and stably measure and analyze exhalation, it is necessary to stabilize the flow rate of exhalation that contacts the gas sensor by always injecting exhalation at a constant rate. In some cases, the use of the breath analysis apparatus may be complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an exhalation analyzer that does not cause variations in measurement and analysis even when the user blows exhalation without paying special attention to the momentum.

An exhalation analyzer of the present invention includes an exhalation inlet, a sensor arrangement portion in which a gas sensor is arranged, and an exhalation introduction path for guiding exhaled air that has been blown from the inhalation port to the sensor arrangement portion. The exhalation analyzer comprises a pressure regulating valve disposed in the exhalation introduction path, and the pressure regulating valve is configured such that when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a predetermined pressure, the exhalation introduction path is provided outside the exhalation analysis path. It is characterized by making it communicate.

  Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve includes a valve body that opens and closes a communication port that communicates the exhalation introduction path and the outside thereof, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, The valve body communicates the upstream opening that communicates with the blowing port, the downstream opening that communicates with the sensor arrangement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and the upstream opening and the downstream opening. It is desirable that it is provided with a passage part to be made.

  Alternatively, when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a first predetermined pressure, the pressure regulating valve causes the exhalation introduction path to communicate with the outside, and the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path is lower than the first predetermined pressure. In the case where the pressure exceeds the second predetermined pressure, it is desirable that the breath introduction path is communicated with the sensor arrangement portion.

  Further, the pressure regulating valve includes a valve body that opens and closes a communication port with the outside formed in the exhalation introduction path, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, The valve body communicates the upstream opening that communicates with the blowing port, the downstream opening that communicates with the sensor placement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and the upstream opening and the downstream opening. It is desirable to include a passage portion and a check valve that is disposed in the passage portion and allows only the flow of exhalation from the blowing port to the sensor placement portion.

  In the exhalation analyzer of the present invention, since the pressure regulating valve is disposed in the exhalation introduction path, the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path is stabilized regardless of the momentum of the user blowing in exhalation, and as a result, contacts the gas sensor. The flow rate and pressure of exhalation are stabilized. Therefore, it is possible to provide an exhalation analyzer that does not cause variations in measurement and analysis even when the user blows exhalation without paying special attention to the momentum.

  Here, if the pressure regulating valve is configured to communicate the exhalation introduction path to the outside when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a predetermined pressure, it becomes excessive when the momentum for blowing exhalation is too strong. Since it functions to release exhalation to the outside of the exhalation introduction path, the flow rate and pressure of exhalation contacting the gas sensor can be stabilized.

  Further, the pressure regulating valve comprises a valve body that opens and closes a communication port that communicates the exhalation introduction path and the outside thereof, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, The valve body communicates with the upstream opening that communicates with the inlet, the downstream opening that communicates with the sensor arrangement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and the upstream and downstream openings communicate with each other. When the flow passage is made to include a pressure regulating valve for stabilizing the flow rate and pressure of the exhaled breath contacting the gas sensor with a simple structure, the flow of the exhaled air is restricted by the passage portion. Since the exhaled air introduced into the sensor placement part is rectified, the angle of the exhaled air contacting the gas sensor can also be stabilized.

  Alternatively, when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds the first predetermined pressure, the exhalation introduction path is connected to the outside of the pressure regulating valve, and the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path is lower than the first predetermined pressure. In the case where the second predetermined pressure is exceeded, if this exhalation introduction path is communicated with the sensor arrangement part, excess exhalation is released to the outside of the exhalation introduction path when the force for blowing exhalation is too strong However, since the function of stopping the introduction of exhalation into the sensor arrangement portion when the momentum to blow in exhalation is too weak, the flow rate and pressure of exhalation contacting the gas sensor can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve comprises a valve body that opens and closes a communication port with the outside formed in the exhalation introduction path, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, An upstream opening communicating with the blowing port, a downstream opening communicating with the sensor arrangement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and the upstream opening and the downstream opening are communicated with each other. When a passage portion and a check valve disposed in the passage portion and permitting only the flow of exhalation from the blowing port to the sensor placement portion are provided, the momentum for blowing in exhalation is obtained. Regardless of whether it is too strong or too weak, it is possible to realize a pressure regulating valve for stabilizing the flow rate and pressure of the exhaled air that contacts the gas sensor with a simple structure, and the sensor arrangement part by restricting the flow of exhaled air at the passage part Since the exhaled breath introduced into the rectifier is rectified, the gas sensor The angle of the breath in contact can be stabilized.

  An exhalation analyzer of the present invention includes an exhalation inlet, a sensor arrangement portion in which a gas sensor is arranged, and an exhalation introduction path for guiding exhaled air that has been blown from the inhalation port to the sensor arrangement portion. In the exhalation analyzer, a pressure regulating valve is disposed in the exhalation introduction path.

  Here, it is desirable that the pressure regulating valve communicates the exhalation introduction path to the outside when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a predetermined pressure.

  Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve includes a valve body that opens and closes a communication port that communicates the exhalation introduction path and the outside thereof, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, The valve body communicates the upstream opening that communicates with the blowing port, the downstream opening that communicates with the sensor arrangement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and the upstream opening and the downstream opening. It is desirable that it is provided with a passage part to be made.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the pressure regulating valve communicates the exhalation introduction path with the sensor arrangement portion when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a predetermined pressure.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the pressure regulating valve is a check valve that allows only the flow of exhaled air from the blowing port to the sensor placement portion.

  Alternatively, when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a first predetermined pressure, the pressure regulating valve causes the exhalation introduction path to communicate with the outside, and the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path is lower than the first predetermined pressure. In the case where the pressure exceeds the second predetermined pressure, it is desirable that the breath introduction path is communicated with the sensor arrangement portion.

  Further, the pressure regulating valve includes a valve body that opens and closes a communication port with the outside formed in the exhalation introduction path, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, The valve body communicates the upstream opening that communicates with the blowing port, the downstream opening that communicates with the sensor placement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and the upstream opening and the downstream opening. It is desirable to include a passage portion and a check valve that is disposed in the passage portion and allows only the flow of exhalation from the blowing port to the sensor placement portion.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic external views of a breath analysis apparatus 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view thereof, and FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the AA cross section of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which exhalation is properly performed, FIG. 2 (b) shows a state where exhalation is too strong. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the arrows in the figure indicate the flow of exhalation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the breath analysis apparatus 1 has a breathing outlet 11 formed in the front of a main body 10, and a display screen 20 and an operation switch 30. An exhalation vent 12 is formed on the rear surface. When the operation switch 30 is pressed to turn on the power, and when exhaled air is blown into the air inlet 11, the exhaled gas comes into contact with the gas sensor 131 disposed inside the main body 10, and the alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath is measured. The result is displayed on the display screen 20. Exhaled air that has come into contact with the gas sensor 131 is exhausted from the air outlet 12 (121).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor disposing portion 13 is defined in a body 10 by a pair of inner walls 101, 101 disposed facing each other in the vertical direction. The sensor disposing portion 13 includes a gas sensor. 131 is disposed. Each of the inner walls 101 includes an inner wall 101a extending toward the outer wall 100a on the front side of the main body 10, an inner wall 101b extending toward the blowout opening 12 opened in the outer wall 100b on the rear side of the main body 10, and the like. A rib-shaped inner wall 101c orthogonal to the inner walls 101a and 101b, and is fixed to the outer wall of the main body 10 at a position not shown.

  Here, each of the inner walls 101a extends toward the outer wall 100a but does not reach the inner wall 101a. Therefore, a gap is formed between the tip of the inner wall 101a and the inner wall surface of the outer wall 100a. As will be described in detail later, this gap constitutes a communication port 16 that allows the exhalation introduction path 14 to communicate with the outside 15 thereof. On the other hand, each inner wall 101b extends toward the blowout opening 12 opened in the outer wall 100b, and its tip reaches a plane substantially the same as the outer wall surface of the outer wall 101b. The air outlets 121, 122, and 123 are partitioned.

  In addition, in the space defined by the inner wall 101a and the inner wall 101c, a pressure regulating valve 17 including a valve body 171 and an urging member 172 is disposed so as to be slidable in the flow direction of exhaled air.

  The valve body 171 includes an upstream side wall 171 a that defines an upstream opening 173 that communicates with the air inlet 11, and a downstream side wall that defines a downstream opening 174 that communicates with the sensor disposition unit 13 with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening 173. It is a hollow body constituted by 171b and a connection wall 171c connecting the upstream side wall 171a and the downstream side wall 171b. A passage portion 175 that is surrounded by the upstream side wall 171a, the downstream side wall 171b, and the connection wall 171c and connects the upstream opening 173 and the downstream opening 174 communicates the exhaled air blown from the blowing port 11 with the sensor arrangement portion. 13 also serves as an exhalation introduction path 14 for guiding the air to 13. Further, the connection wall 171c forms a step in the passage portion 175 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the passage portion 175, whereby the passage portion 175 is narrowed. Further, as will be described later, the internal pressure of the passage portion 175 (expiratory introduction path 14) acts on the inner wall surface of the connection wall 171c, and the urging force of the urging member 172 acts on the outer wall surface thereof.

  The urging member 172 is a general coil spring, and the inner wall 101c and the connection wall are formed in respective spaces defined by the inner wall 101a and the inner wall 101c of the main body 10 and the downstream side wall 171b and the connection wall 171c of the valve body 171. 171c is provided as a spring seat. Due to the urging force of the urging member 172, the valve body 171 is constantly urged toward the outer wall 100a, and in the natural state, the tip of the upstream side wall 171a contacts the inner wall surface of the outer wall 100a (periphery of the opening of the blowing port 11). Touched. As a result, the communication port 16 serving as a gap between the tip of the inner wall 101a and the inner wall surface of the outer wall 100a is closed by the upstream side wall 171a.

  The space 15 located inside the main body 10 and outside the sensor disposing portion 13 or the like partitioned by the inner walls 101 and 101 is usually connected through the communication port 16 that is closed by the upstream side wall 171a of the valve body 171. And communicates with the outside of the main body 10 through blowout ports 122 and 123 defined by the outer wall 100b and the tip of the inner wall 101b.

  In the breath analysis apparatus 1 configured as described above, the operation of the pressure regulating valve 17 and the flow of breath when the user blows breath through the blow-in port 11 are as follows.

  First, when the momentum to blow in exhalation is not too strong, and therefore the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path 14 is below a predetermined pressure determined by the energizing force of the energizing member 172 (that is, the spring constant of the coil spring), As shown in FIG. 2A, the valve body 171 is urged by the urging member 172 and the communication port 16 remains closed. Therefore, all of the exhaled air is introduced into the sensor disposition unit 13 and comes into contact with the gas sensor 131, and is then exhausted from the air outlet 121.

  On the other hand, when the momentum to blow in exhalation is too strong, and the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path 14 exceeds the predetermined pressure, the internal pressure acts on the inner wall surface of the connection wall 171c, as shown in FIG. Thus, the valve body 171 moves in the axial direction of the exhalation introduction path 14 to open the communication port 16. Accordingly, an excess portion of the exhaled exhaled air is released to the space 15 outside the exhalation introduction path 14 through the communication port 16, and thus the exhaled gas having an optimized flow rate and pressure is supplied to the sensor placement unit 13. Since it is introduced, the flow rate and pressure of the exhaled air that contacts the gas sensor 131 become stable. Here, the amount of movement of the valve body 171 (that is, the opening area of the communication port 16) increases in proportion to the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path 14 (that is, the surplus flow rate of exhalation), and thus is introduced into the sensor disposition unit 13. The flow rate and pressure of exhaled breath are extremely stable. The exhaled air released into the space 15 is exhausted from the air outlets 122 and 123.

  In any of the above cases, the flow of exhalation is rectified by being throttled in the passage portion 175 and introduced into the sensor arrangement portion 13. Therefore, the angle of exhalation contacting the gas sensor 131 is also stable.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the AA cross section of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (a) shows a state where the inhalation of breath is too weak, and FIG. ) Represents a state where exhalation is properly performed. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the arrows in the figure indicate the flow of exhalation.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a pressure regulating valve 18 is provided for communicating the exhalation introduction path 14 and the sensor arrangement portion 13 when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path 14 exceeds a predetermined pressure. Only. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pressure regulating valve 18 is disposed in the passage portion 175 of the valve body 171 that functions as the exhalation introduction path 14. The pressure regulating valve 18 is a normally closed check valve (reed valve) including a pair of opposing flexible bodies (plate springs) 181 and 181 and base portions 182 and 182. The respective flexible bodies 181 extend from the respective base portions 182 fixed to the connection wall 171c of the valve body 171, and in the natural state, the distal ends of the respective flexible bodies 181 and 181 are brought into contact with each other by the bending force. The communication between the introduction path 14 and the sensor arrangement portion 13 is blocked.

  In the exhalation analyzer 1 in which the pressure regulating valve 18 is disposed in the exhalation introduction path 14, the operation of the pressure regulating valve 18 and the flow of exhalation when the user blows in exhaled air from the blowing port 11 are as follows. .

  First, in the case where the momentum to blow in exhalation is too weak, and therefore the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path 14 is below a predetermined pressure determined by the bending force of the flexible body 181 (ie, the spring constant of the leaf spring), FIG. As shown in a), the flexible body 181 remains closed in the exhalation introduction path 14. Accordingly, exhaled air that does not satisfy the proper flow rate and pressure is not introduced into the sensor disposition unit 13 and does not contact the gas sensor 131. The bending force of the flexible body 181 is set to be weaker than the urging force of the urging member 172. Therefore, the predetermined pressure described above is the case where the predetermined pressure described in the first embodiment is the first predetermined pressure. It can be said that the second predetermined pressure is lower than the first predetermined pressure.

  On the other hand, when the exhalation-inspiring momentum is not too weak, and therefore the internal pressure of the exhalation-introducing channel 14 exceeds the second predetermined pressure, the flexible body 181 has its tip as shown in FIG. The parts are separated from each other, and the exhalation introduction path 14 is communicated with the sensor arrangement part 13. Therefore, since the expiratory flow having an appropriate flow rate and pressure is introduced into the sensor placement unit 13, the expiratory flow rate and pressure in contact with the gas sensor 131 become stable.

  In addition, when the momentum which blows in exhalation becomes still stronger and the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path 14 further rises and exceeds the first predetermined pressure, the pressure regulating valve 18 moves the exhalation introduction path 14 through the sensor arrangement portion. As in the first embodiment (FIG. 2B), the pressure regulating valve 17 opens the communication port 16 and the excess exhaled air is released to the space 15 while being in communication with the air. As a result, the flow rate and pressure of exhaled air introduced into the sensor placement unit 13 and in contact with the gas sensor 131 are stabilized. Of course, the point that the exhaled air is rectified by the restriction of the passage portion 175 and the contact angle to the gas sensor 131 is stabilized is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since the pressure regulating valve 18 is incorporated in the pressure regulating valve 17 of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect of the pressure regulating valve with a simple structure.

  The present invention and the embodiments thereof have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above description, and various modifications are possible as long as the configuration described in the claims is provided. . For example, the connection wall 171c of the valve body 171 does not necessarily need to be orthogonal to the passage portion 175, and may be tapered, or the valve body 171 itself may be formed in a funnel shape. Further, the urging member 172 is not limited to a coil spring, and any member that can obtain a necessary urging force with respect to the valve body 171 may be used. It is also conceivable to use a magnetic force or an electromagnetic force. Further, the pressure regulating valve 17 does not have to be a hollow body that itself constitutes a part of the exhalation introduction path 14, and is a normally closed valve that can open and close a communication port formed in the fixed exhalation introduction path. If there is enough. The pressure regulating valve 18 may also be disposed independently of the pressure regulating valve 17 or may be configured to include only the pressure regulating valve 18. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to an exhalation analyzer in which an exhalation inlet is formed of a tube or the like extended from the main body.

1 is a schematic external view of a breath analysis apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The figure which represents roughly the AA cross section of FIG. 1 in a 1st Example. The figure which represents roughly the AA cross section of FIG. 1 in a 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exhalation analyzer 10 Main body 100a, 100b Outer wall 101, 101a, 101b, 101c Inner wall 11 Blowing inlet 12, 121, 122, 123 Blowout opening 13 Sensor arrangement part 131 Gas sensor 14 Exhalation introduction path 15 Space 16 Communication port 17 Pressure regulation valve 171 Valve body 171a Upstream side wall 171b Downstream side wall 171c Connection wall 172 Energizing member 173 Upstream opening 174 Downstream opening 175 Path portion 18 Pressure regulating valve 181 Flexible body 182 Base 20 Display screen 30 Operation switch

Claims (2)

An exhalation analyzer comprising an exhalation inlet, a sensor arrangement portion in which a gas sensor is arranged, and an exhalation introduction path for guiding exhaled air blown from the inflow port to the sensor arrangement portion. the and exhalation introduced into the passage the pressure regulating valve is disposed, the pressure regulating valve, in which the internal pressure of the breath introduction path communicates the breath introduction path to the outside in the case above a predetermined pressure, the exhalation introduced A valve body that opens and closes a communication port that communicates the path with the outside thereof, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication port, and the valve body communicates with the blowing port An upstream opening, a downstream opening communicating with the sensor arrangement portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and a passage portion communicating the upstream opening and the downstream opening. A breath analysis device. An exhalation analyzer comprising an exhalation inlet, a sensor arrangement portion in which a gas sensor is arranged, and an exhalation introduction path for guiding exhaled air blown from the inflow port to the sensor arrangement portion. In addition, a pressure regulating valve is disposed in the exhalation introduction path, and the pressure regulating valve communicates the exhalation introduction path to the outside when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction path exceeds a predetermined pressure. When the internal pressure of the passage exceeds the first predetermined pressure, this exhalation introduction passage is communicated with the outside, and when the internal pressure of the exhalation introduction passage exceeds a second predetermined pressure lower than the first predetermined pressure, The exhalation introduction path is communicated with the sensor arrangement portion, and a valve body that opens and closes a communication port formed in the exhalation introduction path and biases the valve body in a direction to close the communication opening. An urging member, and the valve body is An upstream opening that communicates with the inlet, a downstream opening that communicates with the sensor placement section with a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening, and a passage that communicates the upstream opening and the downstream opening, An exhalation analyzer comprising: a check valve disposed in the passage portion and allowing only a flow of exhalation from the inlet to the sensor disposition portion.

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