JP5483866B2 - Ventilation structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ventilation structure that allows gas to pass through, and relates to a ventilation structure that is used in various devices that allow gas to pass through, for example, medical devices and electronic devices.

  Conventionally, in the field of various devices including medical devices, various countermeasures for reducing operation noise have been taken. For example, an adsorption oxygen concentrator (PSA: pressure swing adsorption, hereinafter referred to as “oxygen concentrator”) used in home oxygen therapy (HOT) in which a patient with respiratory disease inhales oxygen at home, One such device.

  The oxygen concentrator includes a sieve bed (adsorption tower) filled with an adsorbent (for example, zeolite) having a property of adsorbing nitrogen to pressurized air and desorbing nitrogen to decompressed air. The oxygen concentrator separates high-concentration oxygen from compressed air by compressing indoor air taken in through a filter and intake tank with a compressor, and passing this compressed air through a sieve bed while repeatedly switching between pressure and pressure. To do. The oxygen concentrator supplies the separated high concentration oxygen to the patient through the tube.

  Since heat is generated from the compressor, the oxygen concentrator cools the compressor by taking outside air into the apparatus and circulating it. At this time, outside the oxygen concentrator, the compressor operating sound and the cooling fan operating sound for circulating the cooling air from the compressor cooling air intake and exhaust ports (hereinafter referred to as “operating sound appropriately”). ") Is leaked.

  On the other hand, it is desirable that the oxygen concentrator be placed as close as possible to the patient in order to supply high concentration oxygen to the patient more reliably and safely. In addition, the oxygen concentrator may be continuously used while the patient is sleeping. Therefore, the oxygen concentrator is required to be quiet enough to not disturb the patient's sleep even when operating at a close distance.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing operation noise that leaks through the cooling air.

The oxygen concentrator described in Patent Document 1 has an air passage that allows cooling air to pass through while meandering at right angles by arranging a plurality of sound absorbing members vertically. Specifically, the sound absorbing member is a flat plate-like member in which a porous sound absorbing material and a honeycomb structure having a large number of hollow portions are combined. The sound that propagates the cooling air collides with the sound absorbing member in the air passage, is converted into heat by the viscous resistance inside the sound absorbing member, and is absorbed. Thereby, the operation sound leaking outside can be reduced.
JP-A-8-119606

  However, the ventilation structure provided with the air passage described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the configuration is complicated and the cost may increase. This is because a porous sound-absorbing material made of urethane foam or the like and a honeycomb structure formed of aluminum foil or the like must be manufactured and bonded together.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, and it aims at providing the ventilation structure which performs the sound absorption with respect to passage gas by simpler structure.

The ventilation structure of the present invention is a ventilation structure used in a medical device that allows gas to pass through, and a structure body that forms an air passage through which the gas passes, and the inner surface of the air passage, A plate-like sound-absorbing member that forms a space between an inner surface on a side through which no gas passes, and a matrix layer made of polymer fibers and a film layer of a polymer film as at least a part of the portion in contact with the gas have a, a plate-shaped sound absorbing member made of a, the structure body has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plate-shaped sound absorbing member, the space is different depending on the location by utilizing the inclined surface It is an air layer formed to have a thickness .

The ventilation structure of the present invention includes a compressor that compresses raw air, an adsorption tower that separates and releases high-concentration oxygen from the compressed raw air, and a cooling fan that circulates cooling air that cools the compressor When being used in the oxygen concentrator with the cooling air a vent structure Ru passed therein, the structure body to form a wind path of said cooling air passes, an inner surface of the air passage A plate-like sound-absorbing member that forms a space with the inner surface on the side through which the cooling air does not pass, and a base material layer made of polymer fibers as at least a part of the portion that contacts the cooling air and a plate-shaped sound absorbing member comprising a film layer of the polymer film, was closed, the structure body has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plate-shaped sound absorbing member, the space is the inclined surface Depending on the location An air layer formed so as to have different thicknesses.

  According to the present invention, since a sound absorbing member having a high sound absorbing property and easy to manufacture and mold, which is a plate-like sound absorbing member composed of a base material layer made of polymer fibers and a film layer of a polymer film, is used, it is simpler. The structure can absorb sound with respect to the passing gas.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to an oxygen concentrator.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an oxygen concentrator in which the ventilation structure according to the present embodiment is used.

  In FIG. 1, an oxygen concentrator 10 includes an air passage case 101, a hepar filter 102, an intake tank 103, a compressor 104, a cooling pipe 105, in an oxygen concentrator housing (hereinafter abbreviated as “housing” as appropriate) 100. Cooling fan 107, manifold 108, first and second switching valves 109a, 109b, first and second sheave beds (adsorption towers) 110, 111, product tank 112, pressure equalizing valve 113, purge orifice 114, silencer 115, a pressure sensor 116, a regulator 117, a stop valve 118, an oxygen sensor 119, a bacteria filter 120, a flow restriction orifice 121, a pressure sensor 122, a flow sensor 123, a humidifier 124, and an oxygen outlet 125 are arranged.

  The air passage case 101 is provided in contact with the housing 100 and introduces air outside the housing 100 into the housing 100 as raw material air. The hepa filter 102 removes airborne particles such as dust and dust from the air introduced by the air passage case 101.

  The intake tank 103 stores the raw air from which airborne particles have been removed by the hepa filter 102 for intake of the compressor 104 at the subsequent stage. The intake tank 103 functions as a so-called expansion silencer, and exhibits a silencing effect on the operation sound of the compressor 104 that is transmitted to the intake side of the raw air by reflection due to a change in the pipe cross-sectional area.

  The compressor 104 compresses the raw air stored in the intake tank 103 to generate compressed air. The cooling pipe 105 sends the compressed air generated by the compressor 104 to the manifold 108.

  The cooling fan 107 sucks outside air into the housing 100 from an opening provided in the housing 100 and exhausts the air from an opening provided separately from the opening in the housing 100. The outside air sucked into the housing 100 by the cooling fan 107 circulates and exhausts inside the housing 100 while absorbing heat of various components including the compressor 104.

  The manifold 108 alternately sends compressed air from the compressor 104 to the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111, and alternately switches nitrogen-enriched air from the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111. This is a manifold for sending to the silencer 115. The manifold 108 has first and second switching valves 109a and 109b that are three-way valves. The manifold 108 controls the state of the first and second switching valves 109a and 109b to switch the flow path in the manifold 108 for compressed air and nitrogen-enriched air, for example, at intervals of 10 seconds.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the manifold 108 uses a first switching valve 109 a to open a pipe line between the first sheave bed 110 and the compressor 104, and The conduit between the sheave bed 110 and the silencer 115 is closed. At the same time, the manifold 108 uses the second switching valve 109b to close the pipe line between the second sheave bed 111 and the compressor 104, and the pipe between the second sheave bed 111 and the silencer 115. Open the road. In this case, the compressed air from the compressor 104 is sent to the first sheave bed 110 in the direction of the arrow 108A, and the nitrogen-enriched air from the second sheave bed 111 is sent to the silencer 115 in the direction of the arrow 108B. .

  In addition, the manifold 108 uses the first switching valve 109 a to close the pipe line between the first sheave bed 110 and the compressor 104, and the pipe between the first sheave bed 110 and the silencer 115. Open the road. At the same time, the manifold 108 opens the pipe line between the second sheave bed 111 and the compressor 104 using the second switching valve 109b, and the pipe between the second sheave bed 111 and the silencer 115. Close the road. In this case, the compressed air from the compressor 104 is sent to the second sheave bed 111, and the nitrogen-enriched air from the first sheave bed 110 is sent to the silencer 115.

  The first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 separate high-concentration oxygen from the compressed air sent through the manifold 108, respectively. This separation is realized by the action of zeolite filled in the first and second sieve beds 110 and 111. Zeolite is an adsorbent that adsorbs nitrogen and moisture to pressurized air and desorbs adsorbed nitrogen and moisture to decompressed air. When the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 communicate with the compressor 104, high-concentration oxygen is separated from the compressed air sent from the compressor 104 and sent to the subsequent product tank 112. When the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 communicate with the silencer 115, the nitrogen-enriched air containing a large amount of nitrogen and moisture adsorbed from the compressed air is sent to the silencer 115.

  The oxygen concentration of the high-concentration oxygen released from the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 is adjusted within a range of, for example, about 40% to 90% by changing the number of repetitions of adsorption / desorption and the adsorption / desorption time. can do. Note that since zeolite adsorbs not only nitrogen but also moisture, the high-concentration oxygen released from the first and second sieve beds 110 and 111 is extremely dry (for example, humidity 0.1% to 0.1%). 2%). The zeolite filled in the first and second sieve beds 110 and 111 is a porous material made of an aluminosilicate having fine pores in the crystal (for example, a crystalline hydrous aluminosilicate containing an alkaline earth metal). Yes, various commercially available zeolites can be used.

  The product tank 112 is connected to the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 at a portion opposite to the side to which the manifold 108 is connected. The product tank 112 is compressed by the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111. Contains high-concentration oxygen obtained by separation from The product tank 112 has, for example, a U-shape in which one end is connected to the first sheave bed 110 and the other end is connected to the sheave bed 111. The pressure equalizing valve 113 adjusts the pressures at both ends of the product tank 112 so that they are the same. The purge orifice 114 allows high-concentration oxygen to pass between both end portions of the product tank 112 in order to perform secondary purification when the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 are desorbed.

  The silencer 115 has an exhaust port 115a provided in contact with the housing 100, and the nitrogen-enriched air sent from the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 through the manifold 108, The gas is discharged from the exhaust port 115a to the outside of the housing 100.

  The pressure sensor 116 detects the pressure of high-concentration oxygen sent from the product tank 112 to the regulator 117. The regulator 117 compares the detection result of the pressure sensor 116 with a preset pressure, and performs feedback control of the high-concentration oxygen pressure so that they have the same value.

  The stop valve 118 is closed to stop the flow of high-concentration oxygen sent from the regulator 117 under pressure regulation. The stop valve 118 is closed when, for example, an operation for stopping the supply of high-concentration oxygen is performed or when the power supply to the oxygen concentrator 10 is stopped, so that the high-concentration oxygen remaining in the device is stopped. Stop outflow.

  The oxygen sensor 119 detects the oxygen concentration of the high concentration oxygen sent from the stop valve 118 to the bacterial filter 120. The bacteria filter 120 sterilizes high-concentration oxygen flowing through the flow path by collecting bacteria. The flow restriction orifice 121 restricts the flow rate of the high concentration oxygen by restricting the flow path of the high concentration oxygen sent through the bacterial filter 120. The degree of throttling of the flow restriction orifice 121 is adjusted in conjunction with the operation content of an operation unit (not shown) having a button or a knob provided in the housing 100, for example.

  The pressure sensor 122 detects the pressure of high-concentration oxygen sent from the flow restriction orifice 121 to the flow sensor 123. The flow sensor 123 detects the flow rate of high-concentration oxygen sent through the flow restriction orifice 121. By continuously storing the high-concentration oxygen pressure detected by the pressure sensor 122 and the high-concentration oxygen flow rate detected by the flow sensor 123 in a memory (not shown), the high-concentration oxygen concentration is set as previously set. Whether oxygen is being processed can be monitored.

  The humidifier 124 humidifies the high concentration oxygen sent through the flow sensor 123. The oxygen outlet 125 exhausts high-concentration oxygen, which has been humidified by the humidifier 124, in order to supply it to the patient. A tube (not shown) having an oxygen mask or nasal cannula connected to one end is attached to the oxygen outlet 125, and high concentration oxygen is supplied to the patient through this tube.

  The oxygen concentrator 10 has a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) as a storage medium storing a control program, a random access memory (RAM) as a working memory, and the like. The CPU controls the operation of each part including the compressor 104 and the manifold 108 by executing a control program.

  According to such an oxygen concentrator 10, high concentration oxygen can be supplied to a patient.

  As described above, the oxygen concentrator 10 is required to be quiet, but has a problem that operating noise leaks from the intake and exhaust ports of the cooling air of the compressor.

  Therefore, the oxygen concentrator 10 of the present embodiment arranges the ventilation structure according to the present invention, and absorbs the operating sound by passing the cooling air of the compressor 104 through the inside of the ventilation structure. The noise of the oxygen concentrator 10 is reduced. Specifically, the ventilation structure according to the present invention is disposed in a part of the compressor case covering the compressor 104 and in the vicinity thereof.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the periphery of the compressor case.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor case 200 is a housing that covers the compressor 104, and is mainly composed of sheet metal. The compressor case 200 is roughly divided into a main body portion 210, an air inlet portion 220, and an air supply air passage portion 230 which is an example of a ventilation structure according to the present invention. In addition, an exhaust air passage portion 240 which is another example of the ventilation structure according to the present invention is disposed below the compressor case 200.

  The main body portion 210 is a housing that covers the compressor 104 and the cooling pipe 105 so as to cover the compressor 104. A cooling fan 107 is disposed inside the main body portion 210 and below the compressor 104. The suction side of the cooling fan 107 is open to the internal space of the main body portion 210.

  The intake port portion 220 is a housing that houses the raw air introduced into the compressor 104.

  The supply air passage portion 230 has an air passage for introducing cooling air for the compressor 104 into the main body portion 210. The air passage of the supply air passage portion 230 is formed by a plate-like sound absorbing member having a three-dimensional shape, and exhibits a sound absorbing effect on the cooling air passing therethrough.

  The exhaust air passage portion 240 is connected to the blowing side of the cooling fan 107 inside the main body portion 210, and has an air passage for exhausting air for cooling the compressor 104 from the inside of the main body portion 210. The air passage of the exhaust air passage portion 240 has a plate-like sound absorbing member on the inner surface, and exhibits a sound absorbing effect on the passing cooling air.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the supply air passage portion 230 and the exhaust air passage portion 240 will be described. First, the structure of the supply air path portion 230 will be described.

  The air supply air passage portion 230 is largely divided into a housing mainly made of sheet metal or the like, and a three-dimensional plate-shaped sound absorbing member described later disposed inside the housing. The air passage through which the cooling air passes is substantially formed by a plate-like sound absorbing member. Here, it is assumed that the housing that covers the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 of the intake air passage portion 230 is integrated with the main body portion 210 of the compressor case 200.

  3 to 5 are perspective views showing the configuration of the air supply path portion 230 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the compressor case 200 is also illustrated. 4 and 5 show a state where the outer casing (compressor case 200) is removed. FIG. 5 shows a state where the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is turned upside down.

  4 and 5, the air supply air passage portion 230 has an air supply passage 232 for introducing cooling air inside the main body portion 210 into the three-dimensional plate-like sound absorbing member 231. Specifically, the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 has a structure of partitioning a space between the bottom surface of the housing and the supply passage 232 as one of the partitioned spaces.

  The air supply path 232 is smoothly bent, has an opening 233 that communicates with the outside air of the oxygen concentrator 10 at one end, and an opening that communicates with the main body portion 210 at the other end (because it is disposed in the casing). , Not shown).

  The plate-like sound absorbing member 231 is obtained by three-dimensionally molding a flat plate-like sound absorbing member obtained by processing a plate-like member having predetermined sound transmission performance and sound absorption performance by vacuum molding or heat-pressure molding. Specifically, the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 has a two-layer structure including a base material layer and a film layer.

  The base material layer is a plate-like member made of a porous material having fine air gaps, and made of a polymer fiber such as a polyester fiber. The base material layer absorbs the sound by converting the sound energy of a predetermined frequency into heat by the viscous resistance of the air in the gap between the fibers. In addition, when employ | adopting a polymer fiber, any of a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction, and random orientation may be sufficient as the orientation of a fiber. The material of the base material layer may be a non-woven polymer fiber, a compression-molded non-woven polymer fiber, or other porous material such as a sponge-like urethane material. Good. Here, the base material layer is formed by compression molding a nonwoven fabric of polyester fiber.

  The membrane layer is a polymer film that has predetermined sound transmission performance and sound absorption performance and does not affect the sound absorption performance of the base material layer.

  A resonance system composed of a composite structure composed of a membrane layer and a base material layer and a back air layer (here, a space between the casing), and a multi-mass point system resonance of the composite structure, In particular, sound absorption is performed for low frequency sound.

  The membrane layer may be arranged on either the side of the base material layer through which the cooling air passes, the back air layer side of the base material layer, or the inside of the base material layer, but the side through which the cooling air passes (here In this case, the base material layer can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the cooling air, and the durability and safety of the oxygen concentrator 10 can be improved. Further, since the surface resistance of the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 can be reduced, the influence on the flow of the cooling air can be suppressed, and the pressure loss of the cooling air can be suppressed. Therefore, the cooling fan 107 having a small capacity can be employed, and the operation noise of the cooling fan 107 can be suppressed. Here, the film layer is assumed to be a polymer film thermally fused to the surface of the base material layer on the side through which cooling air passes.

  The sound absorption performance of the air supply air passage portion 230 varies depending on the thickness of the back air layer. Therefore, it is important to make the thickness of the back air layer, that is, the distance between the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 and the inner surface of the outer casing as designed. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 is provided with an edge portion 234 that is in contact with the inner surface of the housing and has a width equal to the thickness of the desired back air layer. It is desirable. Thereby, a back air layer can be easily set to desired thickness.

  Note that most of the sound that has passed through the plate-like sound absorbing member and entered the back air layer is reflected by the inner surface of the casing and returns to the plate-like sound absorbing member again. As a result, air vibration peaks at a distance of λ / 4 from the inner surface of the housing, which is the sound reflection surface. Therefore, to improve the sound absorption coefficient for sound in the vicinity of a wavelength that is four times the length of the thickness of the back air layer plus one-half of the thickness of the base material layer, and for sounds having a frequency that is an integral multiple of this sound. Can do.

  According to the air supply air passage portion 230 having such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the operation sound that propagates the cooling air and the fluid noise of the cooling air itself.

  In addition, since the base material layer is formed by compressing the polymer fiber, it can have an appropriate hardness for use as the supply air passage portion 230.

  Next, the configuration of the exhaust air passage portion 240 will be described.

  The exhaust air passage portion 240 is largely divided into a flat plate corresponding to the bottom surface of the main body portion 210 and a structure main body arranged in close contact with the lower surface side of the flat plate. The air path through which the cooling air passes is substantially formed by the structure body.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the exhaust air passage portion 240. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the exhaust air passage portion 240 as viewed from above. In both cases, the state in which the flat plate is removed is illustrated.

  6 and 7, the exhaust air passage portion 240 has an exhaust passage 242 for discharging the cooling air inside the main body portion 210 in the structure body 241. The exhaust path 242 is smoothly bent, and has an opening (not shown in the figure because it is disposed on a flat plate) that communicates with the blowout side of the cooling fan 107 disposed in the main body portion 210 at one end. The other end has an opening 243 communicating with the outside air of the oxygen concentrator 10. A plate-like sound absorbing member 244 is fixed to the lower surface of the exhaust path 242.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a portion where the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 is arranged in the exhaust air passage portion 240. FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the configuration of another example of the plate-like sound absorbing member 244.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the exhaust path 242 is formed by the three-dimensional shape of the structure body 241. Specifically, the structure body 241 is provided with a plurality of partition plates 245 that partition a space between the structure body 241 and the flat plate, and the exhaust passage 242 is one of the spaces partitioned by the partition plate 245. is there. The structure body 241 is, for example, a plastic resin that is injection-molded.

  The lower surface of the structure body 241 has a plurality of depressions 246 due to the rib shape provided to ensure strength. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 is along the three-dimensional projecting portions 248 of the lower surface 247 of the exhaust passage 242 and is the same as the horizontal sectional shape of the exhaust passage 242. It has a substantially planar shape. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 is fixed to the lower side surface 247 of the exhaust path 242 so as to contact the protruding portion 248. Thereby, each hollow 246 becomes a closed space. This space functions as a back air layer for performing film sound absorption by resonance.

  The plate-like sound absorbing member 244 is made of, for example, the same material as the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 of the air supply air passage portion 230, and has predetermined sound passing performance and sound absorbing performance.

  The sound absorbing performance of the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 depends on the thickness of the back air layer. Therefore, it is important to set the thickness of the back air layer between the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 and the lower side surface 247, that is, the depth of the recess 246 as designed. For example, the deeper the recess 246, the more the sound absorption effect can be obtained in a lower frequency band.

  In addition, compared with the case where the thickness of the back air layer is constant, the sound absorption effect can be obtained in more frequency bands when the thickness of the back air layer varies depending on the location. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to obtain a sound absorbing effect in more frequency bands by changing the depth of the recess 246 depending on the location. It is possible to improve the sound absorption rate for sound in the vicinity of a wavelength that is four times the length of the back air layer plus one-half of the thickness of the base material layer and for sounds having a frequency that is an integral multiple of this sound. Is the same as the plate-like sound absorbing member 231 of the air supply air passage portion 230.

  The plate-like sound absorbing member 244 further has a plurality of protrusions 249 shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. The protrusion 249 can be provided by, for example, pressing. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the protrusion 249 can be disposed on the upper surface of the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 at a position close to the opening 243 that communicates with the outside. In this case, the cooling air can be easily separated from the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 when discharged to the outside, and the generation of fluid noise can be suppressed. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 249 can be arranged on the upper surface of the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 at a position close to the opening communicating with the blowing side of the cooling fan 107. In this case, the wind speed of the cooling air can be reduced with a low pressure loss, and the generation of fluid noise can be suppressed.

  The exhaust air passage portion 240 having such a configuration can reduce the operating noise that propagates the cooling air and the fluid noise of the cooling air itself.

  The plate-like sound absorbing member 231 of the supply air passage portion 230 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and the plate-like sound absorbing member 244 of the exhaust air passage portion 240 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 are both made of polymer fiber. It can be easily manufactured by placing a polymer film on one side of the nonwoven fabric and performing thermo-press molding. That is, the supply air passage portion 230 and the exhaust air passage portion 240 can achieve sound absorption with respect to the cooling air passing through the inside with a simple configuration.

  Further, the air supply path 232 of the supply air path section 230 and the exhaust path 242 of the exhaust air path section 240 are both smoothly bent. Therefore, compared with the case where the air passage bent at right angles is employed as in the ventilation structure described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to absorb sound while suppressing pressure loss and to suppress the generation of fluid noise. Can do. Accordingly, it is possible to employ the cooling fan 107 having a lower operation capacity and lower performance.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the oxygen concentrator 10 configured as described above will be described.

  When power supply to the oxygen concentrator 10 is started, the operating environment is prepared by a predetermined self-check program. When the operator (patient or caregiver) designates the oxygen flow rate and oxygen concentration in the operation unit provided in the housing 100, the flow restriction orifice 121 adjusts the cross-sectional area of the flow path according to the set content. To do.

  The compressor 104 introduces raw material air from the outside of the housing 100 through the air passage case 101, the hepa filter 102, and the intake tank 103, and compresses the introduced raw material air to generate compressed air. At this time, the hepa filter 102 removes airborne particles from the passing raw material air.

  The compressed air generated by the compressor 104 is sent to the manifold 108 via the cooling pipe 105. The manifold 108 alternately passes the compressed air sent from the compressor 104 through the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 by switching the opening and closing states of the first and second switching valves 109a and 109b. Nitrogen-enriched air is alternately exhausted from the first and second sieve beds 110 and 111. The first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 alternately repeat adsorption and desorption of nitrogen by zeolite. As a result, high-concentration oxygen continues to be alternately sent from the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 to the product tank 112, and the product tank 112 contains high-concentration oxygen. Since zeolite adsorbs not only nitrogen but also moisture, the high-concentration oxygen stored in the product tank 112 is in a dry state containing almost no moisture.

  On the other hand, the first and second sheave beds 110 and 111 are configured so that the nitrogen-enriched air passes through the manifold 108 from the exhaust port 115a of the silencer 115 as a result of repeated adsorption and desorption of nitrogen by zeolite. Continue to discharge outside of 100. Nitrogen-enriched air is exhausted at a high pressure at a time each time the first and second switching valves 109a and 109b are opened and closed (for example, several tens of liters per exhaust). Since the sound accompanying this exhaust is relatively loud, the silencer 115 is used to reduce the noise.

  The high concentration oxygen stored in the product tank 112 is transferred to the outside of the housing 100 via the regulator 117, the stop valve 118, the bacteria filter 120, the flow restriction orifice 121, the flow sensor 123, the humidifier 124, and the oxygen outlet 125. Released.

  The regulator 117 adjusts the pressure of the high concentration oxygen immediately after the product tank 112 based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 116 provided immediately after the product tank 112. The bacteria filter 120 sterilizes high concentration oxygen. The flow restriction orifice 121 restricts the flow rate of high concentration oxygen. The pressure sensor 122 and the flow sensor 123 monitor whether or not the released high concentration oxygen is processed as set. The monitoring result is recorded in a memory (not shown). The humidifier 124 humidifies the high-concentration oxygen immediately before the oxygen outlet 125 and gives the high-concentration oxygen optimal moisture for the patient to inhale.

  High-concentration oxygen released from the oxygen outlet 125 is sucked into the patient via a tube (not shown) connected to the oxygen outlet 125 and an oxygen mask or nasal cannula connected to the other end of the tube.

  Further, while the operation of generating the high-concentration oxygen is performed, the cooling fan 107 sucks outside air into the compressor case 200 through the supply air passage portion 230 and circulates each portion as cooling air. The air is exhausted to the outside of the housing 100 through the exhaust air passage portion 240. Thereby, components such as the compressor 104, the cooling pipe 105, the manifold 108, and the CPU used for control are cooled, and the durability and device reliability of the oxygen concentrator 10 are improved. Further, as described above, the supply air passage portion 230 and the exhaust air passage portion 240 have a sound absorbing effect of absorbing the operation sound of the compressor 104 and the operation sound of the cooling fan 107, and are configured to suppress fluid noise. . Therefore, the leakage of the operation sound from the cooling air intake port and the exhaust port is suppressed.

  In this way, the oxygen concentrator 10 can continuously supply high-concentration oxygen to the patient in a state where leakage of operation sound is suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the plate-like sound absorbing member and the back air layer are provided in the air passage through which the cooling air of the compressor 104 passes, the leakage of operating sound can be suppressed. it can.

  Further, since the plate-like sound absorbing member is composed of a base material layer made of polymer fibers and a film layer of a polymer film, a high sound absorbing effect can be exhibited particularly by a combination with a back air layer.

  Moreover, since the base material layer is formed by compressing a polymer fiber nonwoven fabric, an appropriate hardness can be obtained while maintaining sound absorption performance.

  Moreover, since the film layer is formed by fusing a polymer film to the base material layer, the sound absorption effect due to internal friction can be improved. Furthermore, higher sound absorption performance can be obtained while maintaining the cleanliness of the cooling air and suppressing the friction loss of the cooling air.

  In addition, since polyester fibers are used as the sound absorbing material, it is possible to provide a sound absorbing member that is superior in durability, working environment, and recyclability compared to porous materials such as urethane foam, felt, and glass wool. it can.

  In addition, since the back air layer is set on the plate-like sound absorbing member by utilizing the three-dimensional shape of the exhaust air passage portion, the above sound absorbing effect can be achieved by a slight design change such as addition of a plate-like sound absorbing member to the existing exhaust air passage portion. Can be obtained. Moreover, a back air layer can be formed by itself. That is, when there is a depression in the exhaust air passage portion, a spacer for forming the back air layer can be eliminated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the embodiment described above, the example in which the air path is formed by combining the plate-like sound absorbing member and another member has been described, but the air path is formed only by the plate-like sound absorbing member having a three-dimensional shape. You may do it. In this case, it is preferable to combine a plurality of plate-like sound absorbing members for the convenience of three-dimensional molding.

  Moreover, although the example which applied the ventilation structure which concerns on this invention to the air path of the air for cooling of an oxygen concentrator was demonstrated, the application object of the ventilation structure which concerns on this invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to an air passage for raw material air and an air passage for high-concentration oxygen in an oxygen concentrator.

  In addition to the oxygen concentrator, the present invention can also be applied to various electronic devices such as medical devices and air conditioners that allow gas to pass inside, and ducts. In particular, it is suitable for medical devices such as medical ventilators and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) devices that require quietness and safety. However, when the air path is large, it is necessary to increase the strength by changing the material, changing the thickness, uneven processing, adding a reinforcing material, and the like.

Schematic which shows the structure of the oxygen concentrator in which the ventilation structure which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is used The perspective view which shows the structure of the compressor which concerns on this Embodiment, and a compressor case 1st perspective view which shows the structure of the supply air path part which is an example of the ventilation structure which concerns on this Embodiment. 2nd perspective view which shows the structure of the supply air path part which is an example of the ventilation structure which concerns on this Embodiment. 3rd perspective view which shows the structure of the supply air path part which is an example of the ventilation structure which concerns on this Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the exhaust air path part which is another example of the ventilation structure which concerns on this Embodiment. The top view which looked at the exhaust air path part which concerns on this Embodiment from upper direction A perspective sectional view showing a section of an exhaust air passage portion according to the present embodiment 1st perspective view which shows the structure of the other example of the plate-shaped sound-absorbing member in this Embodiment. 2nd perspective view which shows the structure of the other example of the plate-shaped sound-absorbing member in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Oxygen concentrator 100 Case 101 Air path case 102 Hepa filter 103 Intake tank 104 Compressor 105 Cooling pipe 107 Cooling fan 108 Manifold 109a, 109b Switching valve 110, 111 Sheave bed 112 Product tank 113 Pressure equalizing valve 114 Purge orifice 115 Silencer 115a Exhaust port 116 Pressure sensor 117 Regulator 118 Stop valve 119 Oxygen sensor 120 Bacterial filter 121 Flow restriction orifice 122 Pressure sensor 123 Flow sensor 124 Humidifier 125 Oxygen outlet 200 Compressor case 210 Main body portion 220 Inlet port portion 230 Supply air passage portion 231 Plate shape Sound absorbing member 232 Air supply passage 233 Opening 234 Edge 240 Exhaust air passage portion 241 Structure body 242 Exhaust passage 243 Open Part 244 plate sound absorbing member 245 partition plate 246 recess 247 bottom side 248 protrusion 249 protrusion

Claims (8)

A ventilation structure used in a medical device that allows gas to pass inside,
A structure body forming an air passage through which the gas passes;
A plate-like sound-absorbing member that forms a space between the inner surface of the air passage and the inner surface on the side through which the gas does not pass, wherein the base material is made of a polymer fiber as at least a part of the portion in contact with the gas a plate-shaped sound absorbing member comprising a film layer of the layer and the polymer film, was closed,
The structure body has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plate-like sound absorbing member,
The space is an air layer formed so as to have a different thickness depending on a location by using the inclined surface.
Vent structure. The space is a closed space;
The ventilation structure according to claim 1 . The air path is continuous in a space in contact with the sound source,
The ventilation structure according to claim 1 . The sound source is a device disposed inside an oxygen concentrator that separates and releases high-concentration oxygen from raw air.
The ventilation structure according to claim 3 . The film layer is disposed on a surface of the base material layer on the side through which the gas passes,
The ventilation structure according to claim 1. The plate-like sound absorbing member has a protrusion on the inner surface of the air passage on the side through which the gas passes,
The ventilation structure according to claim 1. The air passage is smoothly bent,
The ventilation structure according to claim 1 . In an oxygen concentrator having a compressor that compresses raw material air, an adsorption tower that separates and releases high-concentration oxygen from the compressed raw material air, and a cooling fan that circulates cooling air that cools the compressor is used, a vent structure which Ru is passed through the cooling air therein,
A structure body forming an air passage through which the cooling air passes;
A plate-like sound-absorbing member that forms a space between the inner surface of the air passage and the inner surface on the side through which the cooling air does not pass, wherein at least part of the portion that contacts the cooling air is a polymer fiber a plate-shaped sound absorbing member made of a base material layer and the film layer of a polymer film made of, have a,
The structure body has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plate-like sound absorbing member,
The space is an air layer formed so as to have a different thickness depending on a location by using the inclined surface.
Vent structure.

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