JPH07171216A - Oxygen concentrating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To monitor the feeding flow rate of oxygen enriched gas by providing an oxygen- enriched gas feeding means with a flow rate setting means, a pressure adjusting means for keeping the pressure on its upstream side constant and a means for obtaining the flow rate of an oxygen-enriched gas by detecting the pressure difference or the flow rate generated by a differential pressure generating means. CONSTITUTION:An oxygen-enriched gas feeding means is provided with a flow rate setting means 22, a pressure adjusting means for keeping the pressure on its upstream side constant, a differential pressure detecting means for detecting a differential pressure generated by a flow rate setting means 22 and a flow rate calculating means 40 for obtaining the flow rate of oxygen-enriched gas from the relation between the differential pressure and a set value by the flow rate setting means 22. Nitrogen is absorbed by introducing a compressed air into an absorbing bed 1 by means of a compressor 4 through a valve 5 under a condition where electromagnetic valves 12 and 18 are opened and the obtd. oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a surge tank 3. The oxygen-enriched gas is made to flow into a product tank 2 through a check valve 8 and after the pressure is adjusted by means of a reducing valve 19, removal of bacilli is performed by means of a bacilli-removing filter 20 and a specified flow rate is set by means of a flow rate setting tool 22 and moistening is performed by means of a moistening tool 7 and then, it is fed to a patient with a disease of the respiratory organs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator for separating and using an oxygen enriched gas from the atmosphere. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator, and to provide an improved oxygen concentrator capable of supplying an oxygen concentrated gas to a user at a more stable flow rate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, it is said that the number of patients suffering from diseases of respiratory organs such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and the like tends to increase. There is an oxygen inhalation method.

The oxygen inhalation method is a method of inhaling oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air into a patient, and an oxygen gas cylinder has been conventionally used as a supply source of the oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air. Since the development of an oxygen concentrator that separates an oxygen-concentrated gas from the air in recent years, the oxygen concentrator has become increasingly popular due to its convenience in use and ease of maintenance.

The oxygen concentrator mainly comprises a membrane type oxygen concentrator using a selective oxygen permeable membrane and an adsorption type oxygen concentrator using an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen or oxygen.
Although there are types, the present invention seeks to improve the adsorption type oxygen concentrator.

In these oxygen concentrators, from the original purpose, it is important to supply a constant oxygen concentration and flow rate correctly. Until now, some devices have been equipped with a function that issues an alarm when the oxygen concentration falls below a certain value, but with regard to the flow rate, it is only provided with a means for setting it to a certain value or by providing a rotameter type. .

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional oxygen concentrators, it has been a problem to supply at the correct flow rate, which is one of the important items for the user. Moreover, even if there is a flow rate display like a rotameter, there is a problem in that fluctuations in the flow rate cannot be captured unless the user pays close attention.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of earnest research for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has obtained a relationship between a flow rate and a pressure loss in a flow rate setting device in advance, and stores it. We found that it is effective to determine the actual flow rate from the measurement of the differential pressure during actual operation,
The present invention has been reached.

The present invention is directed to an adsorbent bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen over oxygen, a compressor means for supplying compressed air to the adsorbent bed, and an oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorbent bed. In the pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating device comprising a surge tank means for receiving and storing the oxygen-concentrated gas from the surge tank and an oxygen-concentrated gas supply means for using the oxygen-concentrated gas from the surge tank for use, A means for obtaining a substantial oxygen-concentrated gas flow rate by detecting the differential pressure or flow velocity generated in the differential pressure generating means, which has a flow rate setting means and a pressure adjusting means for keeping the pressure on the upstream side thereof constant. There is provided an oxygen concentrating device characterized by being provided.

The present invention includes an oxygen concentrating device in which the flow rate setting means sets the flow rate by selecting a predetermined flow path means corresponding to each flow rate.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a flow passage means corresponding to each flow rate of the flow rate setting means and a means for obtaining a substantial oxygen-concentrated gas flow rate from the relationship between the differential pressure or the flow rate, and actually measured. An oxygen concentrator having means for calculating a substantial oxygen-enriched gas flow rate from the differential pressure or flow rate, or for obtaining and outputting a characteristic that can be substituted for the substantial oxygen-enriched gas flow rate is included.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, an electric signal is transmitted and displayed in accordance with a standard predetermined by the degree of difference between the output of the substantially oxygen-enriched gas and the standard set flow rate set by the flow rate setting means. And an oxygen concentrator equipped with the means.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a 7-segment LED for displaying a substantial oxygen-enriched gas flow rate, and means for turning off the flow rate display when the flow rate setting is not completed. Included is an oxygen concentrator.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention includes an oxygen concentrating apparatus having remote device means for switching the flow rate setting means, and the remote operation means having at least a function of operating and stopping the apparatus. Be done.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention includes an oxygen concentrator in which the differential pressure generating means is a flow rate setting means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the factors related to the flow rate, such as the differential pressure generated in the flow rate setting means, obtain the actual flow rate, and let the user know whether there is a flow rate abnormality or not by means of the signal transmitting means and the display means. It is what

The mode of the signal transmission means may be a condition that an abnormal state continues for a certain time in order to exclude a malfunction due to noise, noise, or a short-time flow rate abnormality due to an unsteady operation. As the signal display means, one that can give a visual or audible alarm is used.

An example of the differential pressure generating means in the present invention is a flow rate setting device of the type that selects an orifice (pore) corresponding to each flow rate and sets the flow rate. As an example of the differential pressure generating means, a venturi tube or a needle valve type may be used in addition to the orifice.

The upstream side of the orifice for controlling the flow rate is structured so that a constant pressure is maintained, and the downstream side is a conduit means (tube, for supplying oxygen-enriched gas to the user).
It is necessary to allow for pressure loss at the curler etc.).

The pressure on the upstream side cannot be set to a too high pressure in view of the process capacity. It suffices for the downstream pressure to ensure the above-mentioned necessary pressure loss, but it is preferable to keep the pressure low in order to give the user a mild feeling. Generally, it is preferable to set the orifice diameter so that the differential pressure is within a predetermined range regardless of which orifice is selected. Something that creates flow resistance,
For example, tubes, humidifiers, filters, cannulas, etc. may be attached or detached, and the flow rate also fluctuates. Further, when the tube is bent or blocked, an abnormal flow rate may occur.

Further, instead of stepwise selecting and setting the flow rate, it is also possible to capture the fluctuation of the flow rate by storing the differential pressure at the time of setting a certain flow rate and detecting the deviation from that value. In this case, it is also possible to set continuously at an arbitrary flow rate.

[0021]

EXAMPLES Specific examples of the oxygen concentrator of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings, if necessary.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of the oxygen concentrator of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator in the figure has a flow rate setting means 22 which is a feature of the present invention.
A pressure adjusting means 19 for keeping the pressure on the upstream side constant, and a differential pressure detecting means for detecting the differential pressure (ΔP) generated in the flow rate setting means 22 and the set value of the differential pressure and the flow rate setting means. The flow rate calculating means 40 for determining the substantial flow rate of the oxygen-enriched gas is provided. A flow resistance conduit 41 is provided downstream of the flow rate setting means 22.

As the flow rate setting means 22, it is preferable to use a plate-like member that has a plurality of openings of different sizes and that sets the flow rate by selecting and using the openings. The flow rate calculation means 40 uses the differential pressure (ΔP) from the differential pressure detection means and the set flow rate of the flow rate setting device, and stores the actual flow rate from the both stored in advance by a calculation formula for obtaining substantial oxygen concentration. A device having a function of calculating the flow rate of gas is preferably used.

The flow rate calculating means 40 obtains the difference between the output of the flow rate obtained there and the standard set flow rate set by the flow rate setting means 22, compares the difference with a predetermined reference, and determines the difference. It is desirable to provide means for transmitting and displaying an electric signal to that effect when the value is larger than a predetermined standard. Further, the flow rate calculating means 40 may be provided with a 7-segment LED for displaying the substantial oxygen-enriched flow rate, and also with a control means for turning off the display of the flow rate before the completion of the flow rate setting. Practically desirable.

Further, it is desirable to employ a remote control means (remote controller) (not shown) for switching the set value of the flow rate setting means, which also has a function of starting or stopping the operation of the entire apparatus. Be done.

In FIG. 1, the adsorbent bed 1 is an adsorbent 10 such as a molecular sieve 5A which is more likely to adsorb nitrogen than oxygen.
And a compressor 4 equipped with a relief valve 25 is connected to the adsorption bed 1 by a conduit via a double poppet type valve 5 which is a flow path switching valve, and the surge tank 3 is automatically operated. It is connected to the adsorption bed 1 by a conduit via an on-off valve 12. The flow path switching valve 5 is provided with an intake conduit having an intake muffler and the like and an exhaust conduit having an exhaust muffler and the like. Further, the product tank 2 is connected to the surge tank 3 via a check valve 36. Further, the product tank 2 is provided with a conduit 23 for taking out oxygen-enriched air provided with a pressure reducing valve 19 and the like.

The conduit 23 is further provided with an automatic opening / closing valve 1
8, sterilization filter 20, flow rate setting device 22, humidifier 7,
It is practically preferable that a nasal cannula (not shown) or the like is provided.

The surge tank means 3 comprises an adsorbent non-filled area 32 and an adsorbent filled area 33, and the opening 31 of the inflow conduit means 13 for admitting the oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorption bed 1 is not filled with the adsorbent. The opening 34 of the outflow conduit means 35 through which the oxygen-enriched gas from the surge tank means 3 flows out is arranged in the adsorbent filling area.

As an example of the operation mode of the oxygen concentrator of FIG. 1, the solenoid valve 12, 18 is opened and the valve 5 as shown in FIG.
Compressed air is introduced into the adsorption bed 1 via the compressor 4 to adsorb nitrogen, and the oxygen-enriched gas obtained is stored in the surge tank 3 via the conduit 13. The oxygen-enriched gas stored in the surge tank 3 flows into the product tank 2 through the check valve 8, is pressure-regulated by the pressure reducing valve 19, is sterilized by the sterilization filter 20, and is predetermined by the flow rate setting device 22. Is set to a flow rate of, is humidified by the humidifier 7, and is supplied to a patient or the like having a respiratory disease via a nasal cannula connected to the conduit 23. After continuing adsorption for a predetermined time, the valve 12 is closed and the valve 5 is switched to use the compressor 4 as a vacuum pump to reduce the pressure in the adsorption bed 1 to perform desorption. After desorption for a predetermined time, the valve 5 is switched to introduce pressurized air into the adsorption bed 1, and further, the valve 12 is opened to make the oxygen-concentrated gas flow backward from the surge tank 3 to re-add the adsorption bed. After pressing
Subsequently, the adsorption step is carried out while introducing pressurized air into the adsorption bed 1. Even if the internal pressure of the surge tank becomes lower than that of the product tank during the repressurization, the surge current does not flow backward from the product tank. Thereafter, these steps are sequentially repeated. In addition, in FIG.
The blower 6 is mainly for flowing cooling air for cooling the compressor 4.

In the apparatus of FIG. 1, the differential pressure before and after the flow rate setting device 22 is 0.2 at a set flow rate of 0.2 / min.
It was ² kg / cm ² . When the tube was partially crushed on the downstream side, a differential pressure of 0.15 kg / cm ² was exhibited.
At this time, the actual flow rate was 0.14 l / min. Therefore, the flow rate was reduced by about 30% with respect to the set flow rate.

Such a decrease in the flow rate is not preferable, and generally, the allowable amount in this device is set to ± 10%.
Therefore, in this case, it is possible to prevent a danger by issuing an alarm and notifying the user when the differential pressure decreases to 0.17 kg / cm ² .

Further, in the apparatus of FIG. 1, 0.25 l
The standard differential pressure is 0.26kg for the set flow rate of / min.
Was / cm ² . The actual flow rate was 0.24 l / min.

[0033]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The oxygen concentrator of the present invention can monitor the flow rate, and has means for notifying the user when an abnormality occurs as necessary.
Particularly in the case of a medical oxygen concentrator, the excellent effect that the flow rate prescribed by the doctor is reliably maintained is exhibited.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a schematic flow chart schematically showing a preferred embodiment of an oxygen concentrator of the present invention.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen over oxygen, a compressor means for supplying compressed air to the adsorption bed, and an oxygen-enriched gas from the adsorption bed. Surge tank means for storing,
In a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating device equipped with an oxygen-concentrated gas supply means for supplying the oxygen-concentrated gas from the surge tank, the oxygen-concentrated gas supply means maintains a constant flow rate setting means and a pressure upstream thereof. An oxygen concentrating device comprising: a pressure adjusting means for maintaining the above, and a means for determining a substantial oxygen-concentrated gas flow rate by detecting a differential pressure or a flow velocity generated in the differential pressure generating means. 2. The oxygen concentrating device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate setting means sets the flow rate by selecting a flow path means which is predetermined for each flow rate. 3. A flow path means corresponding to each flow rate of said flow rate setting means, and means for determining a substantial oxygen-concentrated gas flow rate from the relationship of the differential pressure or flow rate, and from the actually measured differential pressure or flow rate. 3. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 2, further comprising means for calculating a substantial oxygen-enriched gas flow rate, or for obtaining and outputting a characteristic that can be substituted for as the substantial oxygen-enriched gas flow rate. 4. An output of the substantially oxygen-enriched gas flow rate,
4. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 3, further comprising means for transmitting and displaying an electric signal according to a predetermined standard according to a degree of difference from a standard set flow rate set by the flow rate setting means. 5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a 7-segment LED for displaying the substantial oxygen-enriched gas flow rate, and means for turning off the flow rate display when the flow rate setting is not completed. Oxygen concentrator. 6. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, further comprising remote device means for switching the set flow rate of said flow rate setting means, said remote operation means having at least a function of operating and stopping the apparatus. 7. The oxygen concentrating device according to claim 1, wherein the differential pressure generating means is a flow rate setting means.