JP4798016B2 - Oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator, and more particularly to an oxygen concentrator that generates oxygen-enriched gas by adsorbing nitrogen in air to an adsorbent.

  Conventionally, as an oxygen concentrator, there is a PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) type that generates oxygen-enriched gas by adsorbing nitrogen in the air to an adsorbent (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-218992). (See Patent Document 1)).

  FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the PSA type oxygen concentrator. As shown in FIG. 8, the oxygen concentrator is disposed in a dustproof filter 101, a compressor 102 that compresses air sucked through the dustproof filter 101, and a gas flow path on the discharge side of the compressor 102. A control valve 103; a first adsorption cylinder 104A containing an adsorbent that adsorbs nitrogen in the air supplied from the compressor 102 via the control valve 103; and a gas flow downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 104A. A check valve 105A disposed in the path, a second adsorption cylinder 104B containing an adsorbent that adsorbs nitrogen in the air supplied from the compressor 102 via the control valve 103, and the second adsorption cylinder. When the exhaust from the check valve 105B disposed in the gas flow path on the downstream side of 104B and the first and second adsorption cylinders 104A, 104B is exhausted via the control valve 103, the exhaust is performed. Of the exhaust muffler 106, the purge valve 107 disposed between the gas flow paths downstream of the first and second adsorption cylinders 104A and 104B, and the first and second adsorption cylinders 104A and 104B. An oxygen tank 109 connected on the downstream side via check valves 105A and 105B, a pressure reducing valve 110 for reducing the oxygen concentrated gas from the oxygen tank 109, and an oxygen concentration of the oxygen concentrated gas reduced by the pressure reducing valve 110 An oxygen concentration sensor 111 for detecting oxygen, a flow rate regulator 112 for adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen-enriched gas supplied from the oxygen tank 109 via the pressure reducing valve 110, and an oxygen concentration whose flow rate is adjusted by the flow rate regulator 112 And a discharge port coupler 113 for discharging gas. The oxygen concentrator includes a control valve 103, a purge valve 107, a control unit 120 that controls the compressor 102, and the like.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing changes in pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders of the oxygen concentrator. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents time (arbitrary scale), the vertical axis represents the pressure in the adsorption cylinder (arbitrary scale), the solid line graph represents the pressure in the first adsorption cylinder 104A, and the dotted line graph represents This is the pressure in the second adsorption cylinder 104B.

  Further, T1, T2, and T3 shown in FIG. 9 are a pressure increase time, a pressure equalization time, and a concentrated oxygen generation time, respectively. The period between the intersections of the solid line and the dotted line graph and above the dotted line graph is the first oxygen extraction period during which the oxygen tank 109 is extracted from the first adsorption cylinder 104A. A period between the intersections of the graphs and above the solid line graph is a second oxygen extraction period in which the oxygen tank 109 is extracted from the second adsorption cylinder 104B.

  The oxygen concentrator generates high-concentration oxygen by passing compressed air through the first and second adsorption cylinders 104A and 104B containing the adsorbent to adsorb nitrogen to the adsorbent, and the produced oxygen-concentrated gas is converted into oxygen. After being stored in the tank 109, high concentration oxygen is supplied from the discharge port coupler 113. The nitrogen adsorbed by the adsorbents of the first and second adsorbing cylinders 104A and 104B is desorbed from the adsorbent by depressurization, and the gas containing the desorbed nitrogen is passed through the control valve 103 and the exhaust muffler 106. Exhaust to the outside. As described above, the cycle of alternately performing the adsorption and desorption of nitrogen using the adsorbent in the first and second adsorption cylinders 104A and 104B is repeated.

However, in the oxygen concentrator, as shown in FIG. 9, the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas after passing through the first and second adsorption cylinders 104 </ b> A, 104 </ b> B has a height difference in the cycle (adsorption, desorption). Oxygen enriched gases having different oxygen concentrations are mixed in the oxygen tank 109. For this reason, since the oxygen concentration supplied from the discharge port coupler 113 is not the highest concentration in the cycle but the average concentration, there is a problem in that high concentration oxygen cannot be taken out efficiently.
JP 2002-218992 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an oxygen concentrator that can efficiently extract high-concentration oxygen.

In order to solve the above problems, an oxygen concentrator of the present invention is
A compressor that compresses the air;
An adsorption container in which an air compressed by the compressor is supplied and an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the air is stored;
An oxygen-enriched gas take-out part for taking out the oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorption vessel
An oxygen tank for storing the oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorption vessel via the oxygen-enriched gas take-out part,
The oxygen enriched gas outlet is
An on-off valve disposed between the adsorption container and the oxygen tank;
An on-off valve control unit for controlling the on-off valve;
Have
The on-off valve control unit supplies air compressed by the compressor to the adsorption container and pressurizes the inside of the adsorption container, and then the oxygen in the air in the adsorption container is concentrated from the inside of the adsorption container. In order to take out the oxygen-enriched gas, the on-off valve is opened during the oxygen-enriched gas take-out period obtained in advance through experiments or simulations .

According to the oxygen concentrator having the above configuration, in the adsorption container, nitrogen is selectively adsorbed to the adsorbent from the compressed air supplied from the compressor to generate an oxygen-enriched gas. Based on the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas and the extraction period of the oxygen-enriched gas obtained by experiments (a period during which only high-concentrated oxygen-enriched gas can be stored in the oxygen tank) when generating this oxygen-enriched gas The oxygen-enriched gas extraction unit opens the gas flow path between the adsorption container and the oxygen tank so that only the high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas is stored in the oxygen tank, thereby In a cycle in which the oxygen concentration changes from a low concentration to a high concentration, it is possible to open a gas flow path between the adsorption container and the oxygen tank so as to store only a high concentration oxygen-enriched gas in the oxygen tank .

Thus, since high concentration oxygen stores in an oxygen tank, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the adsorption container can be reduced, the load on the compressor can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.
In addition, a period for taking out the oxygen-enriched gas obtained by experiments and simulations (a period during which only high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas can be stored in the oxygen tank) is set in advance, and the oxygen-enriched gas take-out period On the basis of this, the gas flow path between the adsorption vessel and the oxygen tank is opened and closed by the oxygen enriched gas extraction part, so that high concentration can be achieved with a simple configuration without performing solenoid valve control using a pressure sensor, oxygen concentration sensor, etc. Only the oxygen-enriched gas can be reliably stored in the oxygen tank.

In the oxygen concentrator of one embodiment,
The adsorption container has a first adsorption part and a second adsorption part,
Switching between connecting the first adsorption unit and the compressor or connecting the second adsorption unit and the compressor, the compressed air from the compressor is supplied to the first adsorption unit or the first compressor. A first switching unit that supplies one of the two adsorption units;
The first suction part or the second suction part is depressurized by switching between connecting the first suction part and the outside or switching the second suction part and the outside. Two switching units;
A switching control unit for controlling the first switching unit and the second switching unit;
By controlling the first switching unit and the second switching unit by the switching control unit, the first adsorption unit is connected to the compressor and the second adsorption unit is connected to the outside, The state in which the first suction part is connected to the outside and the second suction part is connected to the compressor is alternately switched.

  According to the embodiment, the first and second switching units are controlled by the switching control unit, whereby the first adsorption unit is connected to the compressor and the second adsorption unit is connected to the outside, and the first The state in which the suction part is connected to the outside and the second suction part is connected to the compressor is alternately switched. By doing so, a nitrogen gas in the air compressed by the compressor is adsorbed by the adsorbent to generate an oxygen-enriched gas, and an exhaust gas containing nitrogen desorbed from the adsorbent by depressurization is exhausted to the outside. Since the depressurization step is alternately repeated in the first adsorbing unit and the second adsorbing unit, it is possible to continuously generate an oxygen-enriched gas and to extract high-concentration oxygen more efficiently.

As is clear from the above, according to the oxygen concentrator of the present invention, an oxygen concentrator capable of efficiently taking out high concentration oxygen can be realized.
In addition, based on a preset oxygen enriched gas take-out period (a period during which only high-concentrated oxygen enriched gas can be stored in the oxygen tank), the oxygen enriched gas take-out unit connects the adsorption container and the oxygen tank. By opening and closing the gas flow path between them, only high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas can be reliably stored in the oxygen tank with a simple configuration without performing solenoid valve control using a pressure sensor, oxygen concentration sensor, etc. Is possible.

  Further, according to the oxygen concentrator of one embodiment, the first and second switching units are controlled by the switching control unit, and the first adsorption unit is connected to the compressor and the second adsorption unit is connected to the outside. And the state in which the first adsorbing unit is connected to the outside and the second adsorbing unit is connected to the compressor, the nitrogen in the air compressed by the compressor is adsorbed to the adsorbent and the oxygen-enriched gas And the depressurization step of exhausting the exhaust gas containing nitrogen desorbed from the adsorbent by depressurization to the outside is alternately repeated in the first adsorption unit and the second adsorption unit. A concentrated gas can be generated, and high-concentration oxygen can be taken out more efficiently.

  Hereinafter, an oxygen concentrator of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This oxygen concentrator is used in home oxygen therapy that provides high concentration oxygen to respiratory disease patients and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment includes a dustproof filter 1 for removing dust in the air sucked from the outside, and a compressor 2 for compressing the air sucked through the dustproof filter 1. And a control valve 3 disposed in a gas flow path on the compressed air discharge side of the compressor 2, and compressed air is supplied from the compressor 2 via the control valve 3, and nitrogen in the compressed air is removed. A first adsorption cylinder 4A as an example of a first adsorption part of an adsorption container in which an adsorbent to be adsorbed is housed; a check valve 5A disposed in a gas flow path on the downstream side of the first adsorption cylinder 4A; A second adsorption cylinder 4B as an example of a second adsorption part of an adsorption container in which an adsorbent that adsorbs nitrogen in the air supplied from the compressor 2 via the control valve 3 is housed, and the second adsorption cylinder 4B. Reverse arranged in the gas flow path downstream of A valve 5B, an exhaust muffler 6 for reducing exhaust noise when exhaust from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A, 4B is exhausted through the control valve 3, and the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A, A purge valve 7 disposed between the gas flow paths on the downstream side of 4B, and an oxygen-enriched gas in which the downstream side of the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A, 4B is connected to one end via check valves 5A, 5B An extraction valve 8 as an example of an extraction unit, an oxygen tank 9 connected to the other end of the extraction valve 8, a pressure reducing valve 10 for decompressing oxygen-enriched gas from the oxygen tank 9, and pressure reducing by the pressure reducing valve 10 An oxygen concentration sensor 11 for detecting the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas, a flow rate regulator 12 for adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen-enriched gas supplied from the oxygen tank 9 via the pressure reducing valve 10, and the flow rate regulator. 12 for providing a person with oxygen-enriched gas whose flow rate is adjusted by 12 Neural (not shown) and a discharge port coupler 13 to be connected. The oxygen concentrator includes a control unit 20 that receives a detection signal from the oxygen concentration sensor 11 and controls the control valve 3, the purge valve 7, the compressor 2, and the like.

  Here, the extraction valve 8 is a relief valve that opens at a certain pressure or higher.

  The control valve 3 has one end connected to the compressor 2 and the other end connected to the first adsorption cylinder 4A, one end connected to the compressor 2, and the other end connected to the second adsorption cylinder 4B. The second port 3b connected to the exhaust port, one end connected to the exhaust muffler 6, the other end connected to the first adsorption cylinder 4A, the other end connected to the exhaust muffler 6, and the other end And a fourth port 3d connected to the two adsorption cylinders 4B. The first port 3a and the second port 3b constitute a first switching unit, and the third port 3c and the fourth port 3d constitute a second switching unit.

  The control unit 20 includes a microcomputer, an input / output circuit, and the like, and controls the control valve 3, the purge valve 7, and the compressor 2. The control unit 20 has a function of a switching control unit that controls the first switching unit and the second switching unit.

  In the oxygen concentrator having the above configuration, the control unit 20 opens the first port 3a and the fourth port 3d of the control valve 3, closes the second port 3b and the third port 3c, and operates the compressor 2 (the first port). (Pressurization step of the adsorption cylinder 4A, depressurization process of the second adsorption cylinder 4B). The compressor 2 compresses the air sucked through the dust filter 1. The air compressed by the compressor 2 is pressurized in the first adsorption cylinder 4A through the first port 3a of the control valve 3, and adsorbs nitrogen in the air to the adsorbent to generate high-concentration oxygen. The high-concentration oxygen generated in the first adsorption cylinder 4A passes through the check valve 5A and is stored in the oxygen tank 9 through the extraction valve 8 which is opened when the pressure becomes a predetermined pressure or higher. Thus, the oxygen-enriched gas stored in the oxygen tank 9 is decompressed by the decompression valve 10, and then the flow rate is adjusted by the flow rate regulator 12 and is discharged from the discharge port coupler 13.

  At this time, the second adsorption cylinder 4B side desorbs nitrogen from the adsorbent by decompression, and exhausts the gas containing the desorbed nitrogen to the outside through the fourth port 3d of the control valve 3 and the exhaust muffler 6. .

  Here, during the pressurization process of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, a part of the high concentration oxygen generated in the first adsorption cylinder 4A is supplied to the second adsorption cylinder 4B via the purge valve 7, and the second adsorption cylinder 4B is supplied with the second adsorption cylinder 4A. With the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 4B slightly increased, the control unit 20 opens the second port 3b and the third port 3c of the control valve 3, closes the first port 3a and the fourth port 3d, and performs the second adsorption. Switch to the pressurizing step of the cylinder 4B.

  In this way, the cycle of alternately performing the adsorption and desorption of nitrogen using the adsorbent in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is repeated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B of the oxygen concentrator. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time (arbitrary scale), the vertical axis represents the pressure in the adsorption cylinder (arbitrary scale), the solid line graph represents the pressure in the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the dotted line graph Is the pressure in the second adsorption cylinder 4B.

  Further, T1, T2, and T3 shown in FIG. 6 are a pressure increase time, a pressure equalization time, and a concentrated oxygen generation time, respectively. A period in which the pressure is higher than the set pressure in the solid line graph is a first oxygen extraction period in which the extraction valve 8 is opened and is extracted from the first adsorption cylinder 4A to the oxygen tank 9, and in the dotted line graph, the set pressure is exceeded. The period in which the pressure is high is the second oxygen extraction period in which the extraction valve 8 is opened and the oxygen tank 9 is extracted from the second adsorption cylinder 4B. Here, the set pressure is a predetermined pressure at which the relief valve used for the extraction valve 8 opens.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, a relief valve that opens the take-off valve 8 when the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure is used for the oxygen-enriched gas take-out part, so that the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A, 4B and the oxygen tank 9 The opening and closing control of the gas flow path can be easily performed.

  In addition, by controlling the control valve 3 by the control unit 20, the first adsorption cylinder 4A is connected to the compressor 2 and the second adsorption cylinder 4B is connected to the outside, and the first adsorption cylinder 4A is externally connected. The state where the second adsorption cylinder 4B is connected to the compressor 2 is alternately switched. Thus, a pressurizing step for generating oxygen-enriched gas by adsorbing nitrogen in the air compressed by the compressor 2 to the adsorbent, and a depressurizing step for exhausting the exhaust gas containing nitrogen desorbed from the adsorbent to the outside By alternately repeating the above in the first adsorption cylinder 4A and the second adsorption cylinder 4B, it becomes possible to continuously generate the oxygen-enriched gas, and to extract oxygen with high concentration more efficiently.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment except for the take-off valve, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an extraction valve 15A is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and an extraction valve 15B is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. Yes. The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 through the take-off valves 15A and 15B.

  Here, the extraction valves 15A and 15B are relief valves that are opened when the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B are at a predetermined pressure or higher, and the extraction valves 15A and 15B constitute an oxygen-enriched gas extraction unit.

  Similar to the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment, the oxygen concentrator of the second embodiment shows the pressure change in the first and second adsorption cylinders shown in FIG. Here, the set pressure is a predetermined pressure at which the relief valve used for the extraction valves 15A and 15B opens.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the second embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, an oxygen concentrator that can efficiently extract high concentration oxygen can be realized. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, by providing relief valves as take-off valves 15A and 15B between the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B and the oxygen tank 9, the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B and the oxygen tank are provided. 9 can be eliminated, and the configuration can be simplified.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment except for the solenoid valve and the pressure sensor, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the check valve 5A is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the check valve 5B is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. is doing. Further, an electromagnetic valve 16 as an example of an on-off valve is disposed between the check valves 5A and 5B and the oxygen tank 9, and a pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the solenoid valve 16 and downstream of the check valves 5A and 5B. 17 is provided. The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 via the check valves 5A and 5B and the electromagnetic valve 16.

  Further, the control unit 20 controls the electromagnetic valve 16 based on the pressure on the upstream side of the electromagnetic valve 16 detected by the pressure sensor 17. The solenoid valve 16, the pressure sensor 17, and the control unit 20 constitute an oxygen enriched gas extraction unit. The control unit 20 has a function of an on-off valve control unit that controls the electromagnetic valve 16.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders of the oxygen concentrator. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents time (arbitrary scale), the vertical axis represents the pressure in the adsorption cylinder (arbitrary scale), the solid line graph represents the pressure in the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the dotted line graph Is the pressure in the second adsorption cylinder 4B.

  Further, T1, T2, and T3 shown in FIG. 7 are a pressure increase time, a pressure equalization time, and a concentrated oxygen generation time, respectively. A period in which the pressure is higher than the set pressure in the solid line graph is a first oxygen extraction period in which the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened and is taken out from the first adsorption cylinder 4A to the oxygen tank 9, and in the dotted line graph, it is higher than the set pressure. The period in which the pressure is high is the second oxygen extraction period in which the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened and the oxygen tank 9 is extracted from the second adsorption cylinder 4B.

  Here, the set pressure for opening the electromagnetic valve 16 is determined by the calculation of the control unit 20. The controller 20 estimates the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas based on the pressure upstream of the solenoid valve 16 detected by the pressure sensor 17 and sets a period for opening the solenoid valve 16 so that the necessary oxygen concentration is obtained. Ask.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  When the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the pressure sensor 17 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the electromagnetic valve 16 disposed between the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B and the oxygen tank 9 is opened. In this way, by controlling the electromagnetic valve 16 by the control unit 20 as the on-off valve control unit, an electromagnetic that opens and closes the gas flow path upstream of the oxygen tank 9 by the inexpensive pressure sensor 17 without using an oxygen concentration sensor. The valve 16 can be controlled, and unlike the relief valve, it is easy to adjust the set pressure when the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened and closed, and the secular change of the adsorbent in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B. The set pressure can be easily changed according to the above.

  Even if the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the pressure sensor 17 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the high-concentration oxygen supply capacity of the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B depends on the capacity of the adsorbent and the like. Therefore, the opening time of the electromagnetic valve 16 may be limited.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment except for the solenoid valve and the pressure sensor, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an electromagnetic valve 18A as an example of an on-off valve is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the open / close valve is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. As an example, a solenoid valve 18B is provided. Further, a pressure sensor 19A is provided upstream of the electromagnetic valve 18A and downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and a pressure sensor 19B is provided upstream of the electromagnetic valve 18B and downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 via the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B.

  Here, the control unit 20 controls the solenoid valves 18A and 18B based on the pressure upstream of the solenoid valve 18A detected by the pressure sensor 19A and the pressure upstream of the solenoid valve 18B detected by the pressure sensor 19B. .

  The oxygen concentrator of the fourth embodiment shows the pressure change in the first and second adsorption cylinders shown in FIG. 7, as in the oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the fourth embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, when the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the pressure sensors 19A and 19B is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, between the first adsorption cylinder 4A and the oxygen tank 9 and between the second adsorption cylinder 4B and the oxygen tank 9. By controlling the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B by the control unit 20 as an on-off valve control unit so as to open the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B respectively disposed in the pressure sensor 19A, an inexpensive pressure sensor 19A can be used without using an oxygen concentration sensor. , 19B can control the electromagnetic valves 18A, 18B for opening and closing the gas flow path on the upstream side of the oxygen tank 9. Further, unlike the relief valve, it is possible to easily adjust the set pressure when opening and closing the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B, and according to the secular change of the adsorbent in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B. The set pressure can be easily changed.

  As with the oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment, the opening time of the electromagnetic valve 16 may be limited even if the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the pressure sensor 17 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the second embodiment except for the solenoid valve and the oxygen concentration sensor, and the same components are given the same reference numerals for explanation. Omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an electromagnetic valve 18A as an example of an on-off valve is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the open / close valve is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. As an example, a solenoid valve 18B is provided. Further, an oxygen concentration sensor 22A is provided upstream of the electromagnetic valve 18A and downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and an oxygen concentration sensor 22B is provided upstream of the electromagnetic valve 18B and downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. . The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 via the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B.

  Here, based on the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas from the first adsorption cylinder 4A detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 22A and the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas from the second adsorption cylinder 4B detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 22B, The control unit 20 controls the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B.

  Note that the solenoid valve is not used based on the oxygen concentration (average oxygen concentration) of the oxygen-enriched gas from the oxygen tank 9 detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 11 downstream of the oxygen tank 9 without using the oxygen concentration sensors 22A and 22B. 18A and 18B may be controlled. In this case, the cost can be reduced by using the oxygen concentration sensor 11 provided for the purpose of operation management, safety measures, etc. for controlling the electromagnetic valve.

  The oxygen concentrator of the fifth embodiment shows the pressure change in the first and second adsorption cylinders shown in FIG. 7, as with the oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the fifth embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, when the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 11 is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration, between the first adsorption cylinder 4A and the oxygen tank 9 and between the second adsorption cylinder 4B and the oxygen tank 9. By controlling the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B by the control unit 20 as the on-off valve control unit so as to open the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B respectively disposed, only the high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas is surely stored in the oxygen tank 9. It can be stored in

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the first embodiment except for the solenoid valve and the oxygen concentration sensor, and the same components are given the same reference numerals for explanation. Omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the check valve 5A is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the check valve 5B is disposed in the gas flow path downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. is doing. Further, an electromagnetic valve 16 as an example of an on-off valve is disposed between the check valves 5A and 5B and the oxygen tank 9, and the oxygen concentration is upstream of the solenoid valve 16 and downstream of the check valves 5A and 5B. A sensor 23 is provided. The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 via the check valves 5A and 5B and the electromagnetic valve 16.

  Further, the control unit 20 controls the electromagnetic valve 16 based on the oxygen concentration upstream of the electromagnetic valve 16 detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 23. The solenoid valve 16, the oxygen concentration sensor 23, and the control unit 20 constitute an oxygen enriched gas extraction unit. The control unit 20 has a function of an on-off valve control unit that controls the electromagnetic valve 16.

  Note that the solenoid valve 16 is not used based on the oxygen concentration (average oxygen concentration) of the oxygen-enriched gas from the oxygen tank 9 detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 11 on the downstream side of the oxygen tank 9 without using the oxygen concentration sensor 23. You may control. In this case, the cost can be reduced by using the oxygen concentration sensor 11 provided for the purpose of operation management, safety measures, etc. for controlling the electromagnetic valve.

  The oxygen concentrator of the sixth embodiment shows the pressure change in the first and second adsorption cylinders shown in FIG. 7, as with the oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the sixth embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, by controlling the electromagnetic valve 16 by the control unit 20 as the on-off valve control unit so that the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened when the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 23 is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration, Only the high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas can be reliably stored in the oxygen tank 9.

  In addition, when the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 11 is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration, an electromagnetic valve 16 disposed between the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B and the oxygen tank 9 is provided. By controlling the electromagnetic valve 16 by the control unit 20 as the on-off valve control unit so as to open, it is possible to reliably store only the high concentration oxygen-enriched gas in the oxygen tank 9.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the third embodiment except for the pressure sensor, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a check valve 5A is arranged in the gas flow path downstream of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and a check valve 5B is arranged in the gas flow path downstream of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. is doing. Further, an electromagnetic valve 16 as an example of an on-off valve is disposed between the check valves 5A and 5B and the oxygen tank 9. The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 via the check valves 5A and 5B and the electromagnetic valve 16.

  Further, the control unit 20 controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 16 based on an oxygen extraction period obtained in advance by experiments (or simulations, etc.). The solenoid valve 16 and the control unit 20 constitute an oxygen enriched gas extraction unit. The control unit 20 has a function of an on-off valve control unit that controls the electromagnetic valve 16. Here, the control unit 20 sets the time reference point of the period for opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 16 at the time of switching the control valve 3 for switching the pressurizing process and the depressurizing process of the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B.

  The oxygen concentrator of the seventh embodiment shows the pressure change in the first and second adsorption cylinders shown in FIG.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the seventh embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the electromagnetic valve 16 is controlled by the control unit 20 as an on-off valve control unit so that the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened during an oxygen extraction period obtained in advance by an experiment. Without performing valve control, it is possible to reliably store only a high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas in the oxygen tank 9 with a simple configuration.

[Eighth Embodiment]
FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator of the eighth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the oxygen concentrator of the fourth embodiment except for the pressure sensor, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an electromagnetic valve 18A as an example of an on-off valve is disposed in the gas flow path on the downstream side of the first adsorption cylinder 4A, and the on-off valve is disposed on the gas flow path on the downstream side of the second adsorption cylinder 4B. As an example, a solenoid valve 18B is provided. The oxygen-enriched gas from the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B is stored in the oxygen tank 9 via the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B.

  Further, the control unit 20 controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B based on the oxygen extraction period obtained in advance through experiments (or simulations, etc.). The solenoid valves 18A, 18B and the control unit 20 constitute an oxygen enriched gas extraction unit. The control unit 20 has a function of an on-off valve control unit that controls the electromagnetic valve 16. Here, the control unit 20 sets the time reference point of the period for opening and closing the electromagnetic valves 18A and 18B when switching the control valve 3 for switching between the pressurizing process and the depressurizing process of the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B. .

  The oxygen concentrator of the eighth embodiment shows the pressure change in the first and second adsorption cylinders shown in FIG.

  According to the oxygen concentrator of the eighth embodiment, since high concentration oxygen is stored in the oxygen tank 9, high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently. Moreover, since high concentration oxygen can be taken out efficiently, the pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders 4A and 4B can be reduced, the load on the compressor 2 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the electromagnetic valve 16 is controlled by the control unit 20 as an on-off valve control unit so that the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened during an oxygen extraction period obtained in advance by an experiment. Without performing valve control, it is possible to reliably store only a high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas in the oxygen tank 9 with a simple configuration.

  In the first to eighth embodiments described above, the oxygen concentrator having two first and second adsorption cylinders has been described. However, the present invention is applied to an oxygen concentrator having one or three or more adsorption cylinders. Also good.

  Moreover, although the oxygen concentration apparatus used in order to perform home oxygen therapy with respect to a respiratory disease patient etc. was demonstrated in 1st-8th embodiment, an oxygen concentration apparatus is not restricted to this and provides high concentration oxygen. The present invention may be applied to all fields.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, as an example of an element related to the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas, based on the pressure of the oxygen-enriched gas, the oxygen-enriched gas extraction unit (8, 15A, 15B, 16, 18A, 18B) Thus, the gas flow path between the adsorption container and the oxygen tank is opened so as to store only the high-concentration oxygen-enriched gas in the oxygen tank, but the elements related to the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas are not limited to this, For example, the nitrogen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas may be detected using a nitrogen concentration sensor, and the oxygen concentration may be estimated from the detected nitrogen concentration.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders of the oxygen concentrators of the first and second embodiments. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders of the oxygen concentrators of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional oxygen concentrator. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing changes in pressure in the first and second adsorption cylinders of the oxygen concentrator. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing pressure changes in the first and second adsorption cylinders of the oxygen concentrators of the seventh and eighth embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dust-proof filter 2 ... Compressor 3 ... Control valve 4A ... 1st adsorption cylinder 4B ... 2nd adsorption cylinder 5A, 5B ... Check valve 6 ... Exhaust muffler 7 ... Purge valve 8, 15A, 15B ... Extraction valve 9 ... Oxygen tank DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pressure reducing valve 11, 22A, 22B, 23 ... Oxygen concentration sensor 12 ... Flow regulator 13 ... Discharge port coupler 17, 19A, 19B ... Pressure sensor 16, 18A, 18B ... Electromagnetic valve 20 ... Control part

Claims (2)

A compressor (2) for compressing air;
An adsorbing container in which an air compressed by the compressor (2) is supplied and an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the air is stored;
An oxygen-enriched gas take-out section for taking out the oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorption vessel;
An oxygen tank (9) for storing the oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorption vessel through the oxygen-enriched gas extraction part,
The oxygen enriched gas outlet is
An on-off valve (16, 18A, 18B) disposed between the adsorption container and the oxygen tank (9);
An on-off valve controller (20) for controlling the on-off valves (16, 18A, 18B);
Have
The on-off valve control unit (20) supplies the air compressed by the compressor (2) to the adsorption vessel and pressurizes the adsorption vessel, and then the oxygen in the air in the adsorption vessel is concentrated The oxygen concentrator is characterized in that the on- off valve (16, 18A, 18B) is opened during a period of taking out the oxygen-enriched gas obtained in advance through experiments or simulations so that the oxygen-enriched gas is taken out from the adsorption vessel. . The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1 ,
The adsorption container has a first adsorption part (4A) and a second adsorption part (4B),
The compressor (2) is switched by switching between connecting the first adsorption part (4A) and the compressor (2) or connecting the second adsorption part (4B) and the compressor (2). A first switching unit (3a, 3b) for supplying compressed air from the first adsorbing unit (4A) or the second adsorbing unit (4B);
The first adsorption part (4A) or the second adsorption is switched by switching whether the first adsorption part (4A) is connected to the outside or the second adsorption part (4B) is connected to the outside. A second switching part (3c, 3d) for reducing the pressure of the other of the parts (4B);
A switching control unit (20) for controlling the first switching unit (3a, 3b) and the second switching unit (3c, 3d);
By controlling the first switching unit (3a, 3b) and the second switching unit (3c, 3d) by the switching control unit (20), the first adsorption unit (4A) is connected to the compressor (2). A state where the second suction part (4B) is connected to the outside, and a state where the first suction part (4A) is connected to the outside and the second suction part (4B) is connected to the compressor (2). The oxygen concentrator is characterized in that it is alternately switched to the state connected to the.

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