TWI739555B - Nebulizer and method for detecting the aerosol inside the nebulizer - Google Patents

Abstract

A nebulizer and method for detecting the aerosol inside the nebulizer is provided. The nebulizer includes a cup body, an atomization module, an main body, and an light detecting module. There is a partition wall inside the cup body. The partition wall separates the inside of the cup body into a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity is used for storing medicine liquid. The atomization module is arranged on the partition wall. The partition wall has a first through hole. The atomization module converts the medicine liquid into aerosol and spreads it in the second cavity through the first through hole. There is a second through hole on the joint surface of the main body and the cup body. The light detecting module corresponds to the second through hole. The light detecting module emits light, and the light is emitted from the second through hole, and the light passes through the bottom of the cup body and enters the second cavity to detect the concentration of the aerosol.

Description

Atomizer and method for detecting aerosol inside the atomizer

The invention relates to a nebulizer and a method for detecting aerosol inside the nebulizer, in particular to a nebulizer with an optical detection method and a method for detecting aerosol inside the nebulizer.

A nebulizer is a device that atomizes liquid. It is often used in the medical field, such as a medical nebulizer for treating upper respiratory tract. It atomizes medicinal liquid into tiny particles (that is, aerosol) and enters the human respiratory tract and lungs through breathing inhalation. It can be deposited on the body, so as to achieve the purpose of painless, rapid and effective treatment.

However, the atomizer in the prior art has a shortcoming, that is, it is impossible to know the remaining amount of the internal liquid medicine, so it often happens that the liquid medicine is almost used up or has been used up, but the atomization module inside the atomizer is still constantly Running, forming a phenomenon of air vibration. The so-called air vibration means that there is not enough liquid medicine to contact the atomization module to produce aerosol, usually when the liquid medicine is used up. When the atomizer vibrates in the air, it is easy to damage the atomization module and consume too much power.

Therefore, how to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings through the improvement of structural design has become one of the important issues to be solved by this business.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an atomizer for the shortcomings of the prior art, which includes a cup, an atomization module, a host, and a light detection module. The inside of the cup body is provided with a partition wall, and the partition wall divides the inside of the cup body into a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity is used for storing medicine liquid. The atomization module is arranged on the partition wall. The partition wall has a first through hole. The atomization module is used for converting the medicine liquid into aerosol and dispersing it in the second cavity through the first through hole. The main body and the cup body are movably joined, and the joint surface of the main body and the cup body is provided with a second through hole. The light detection module is arranged inside the host and corresponds to the second through hole. The light detecting module emits light from the second through hole and passes through the bottom of the cup body to enter the second cavity to detect the concentration of the aerosol.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one of the technical solutions adopted by the present invention is to provide a method for detecting aerosol inside the nebulizer, which includes: Converted into aerosol and dispersed in the second cavity of the cup body; configure the light detection module to emit light to detect the concentration of the aerosol in the second cavity, and send out a detection signal accordingly; configure the control module to receive Detect the signal, and convert the detection signal to the corresponding detection value; and compare the detection value with the setting value stored in the control module. If the detection value is higher than the setting value, it is considered that the medicine liquid is still sufficient. If the value is lower than the set value, it is deemed that the medicine liquid is insufficient or exhausted, so that the control module outputs a corresponding control signal to the atomization module according to the comparison result, and the atomization module performs a switching action according to the control signal.

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the atomizer provided by the present invention can pass through "the atomizer includes a cup body, an atomization module, a host, and a light detection module", "the cup body has a partition wall inside the , The partition wall divides the inside of the cup into a first cavity and a second cavity", "The first cavity is used to store the drug liquid, and the atomization module converts the drug liquid into aerosol and spreads it in the second cavity" , "The atomization module is arranged on the partition wall, the partition wall has a first through hole, and the atomization module is used to convert the drug liquid into aerosol and spread it in the second cavity through the first through hole", "Main unit and cup The body is joined, and the joint surface of the host and the cup body has a second through hole" and "the light detection module is arranged inside the host and corresponds to the second through hole. The light detection module emits at least one light from the second through hole. The through hole shoots out and passes through the bottom of the cup and enters the second cavity to detect the concentration of the aerosol. The technical solution is to detect the concentration of the aerosol inside the atomizer to determine the stock of liquid medicine and reduce the fog. The probability of air vibration of the modified module.

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the method for detecting aerosol inside the nebulizer provided by the present invention can convert the drug liquid in the first cavity of the cup into aerosol by configuring the atomization module. And it is dispersed in the second cavity inside the cup", "The light detection module is configured to emit light to detect the gas concentration in the second cavity, and the detection signal is issued accordingly", "The control module is configured Receive the detection signal and convert the detection signal to the corresponding detection value" and "Compare the detection value with the setting value stored in the control module, so that the control module outputs the corresponding control signal to the The atomization module, and the atomization module executes the switch action according to the control signal, to use the detection of the aerosol concentration inside the atomizer to determine the stock of liquid medicine and reduce the probability of air vibration of the atomization module.

In order to further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings about the present invention. However, the provided drawings are only for reference and description, and are not used to limit the present invention.

The following is a specific example to illustrate the implementation of the "nebulizer and the method for detecting aerosol inside the atomizer" disclosed in the present invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. Advantages and effects. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be based on different viewpoints and applications, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are merely schematic illustrations, and are not drawn according to actual dimensions, and are stated in advance. The following embodiments will further describe the related technical content of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that although terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one element from another. In addition, the term "or" used in this document may include any one or a combination of more of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation. In addition, the term "or" used in this document may include any one or a combination of more of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation.

[First Embodiment]

1 to 4, the first embodiment of the present invention provides an atomizer 100, which includes: a cup body 1, an atomization module 2, a host 3 and a light detection module 4, the cup body 1 is movable Ground and host 3 are joined.

The inside of the cup body 1 is provided with a partition wall 11, which divides the inside of the cup body 1 into a first cavity 12 and a second cavity 13, and the first cavity 12 stores medicinal liquid (not shown). The atomization module 2 is arranged on the partition wall 11. The partition wall 11 has a first through hole 111, and the position of the first through hole 11 corresponds to the atomization module 2. Specifically, the first through hole 111 is provided under the atomization module 2 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), but the present invention is not limited, and the first through hole 111 is provided under the atomization module 2 In fact, the first through hole 111 may be provided directly below or obliquely below the atomization module 2. The atomization module 2 converts the medicine liquid into an aerosol (not shown) and spreads it in the second cavity 13 through the first through hole 111. The cup body 1 has a nozzle 10, and the aerosol dispersed in the second cavity 13 can be dispersed to the outside environment through the nozzle 10. Two through holes 31. The light detecting module 4 is disposed inside the host 3 and corresponds to the second through hole 31.

The light detection module 4 emits light L1, which is emitted upward from the second through hole 31, and passes through the bottom 14 of the cup 1 and enters the second cavity 13 to detect the concentration of the aerosol, as shown in the figure. 4 shown. It should be noted that the above mentioned here includes directly above and obliquely above, that is, the light L1 can be emitted upward from the second through hole 31 at any angle. Since it needs to pass through the bottom 14 of the cup 1, at least a part of the bottom 14 of the cup 1 includes a light-transmitting material. In addition, a transparent wall 15 is provided between the second through hole 31 and the light detection module 4, and the second through hole 31 can also be filled with translucent or transparent materials, which is intended to not only allow light to pass through, It can also protect the light detection module 4 inside the host 3.

Next, the operation of the atomizer 100 will be described. First, refer to FIG. 9. The light detection module 4 is an optical sensor and includes a transmitting terminal 41 and a receiving terminal 42. The transmitting end 41 emits an optical signal (light L1), and the receiving end 42 is used to receive the optical signal (light L2). When there is no aerosol in the second cavity 13, the receiving end 42 only receives the light L2 reflected and diffused by the interface in the second cavity 13. However, when the second cavity 13 has aerosol, the receiving end 42 will receive the light L2 reflected, diffused, and reflected by the aerosol in the second cavity 13. In other words, the light signal (light L2) received by the receiving end 42 is reflected by the aerosol or not. When the concentration of the aerosol in the second cavity 13 is high, the light L2 contains a certain proportion of the aerosol-reflected light. Conversely, when the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13 is low, the proportion of light L2 reflected by the aerosol must be lower. In other words, the atomizer 100 uses the ratio of the light L1 (issued by the light detection module 4) and the light L2 (generated by the interface reflection, diffusion and aerosol reflection in the second cavity 13) to detect aerosol. concentration.

Regardless of whether the light L2 received by the receiving end 42 has been reflected by aerosol, once the receiving end 42 receives the light signal (light L2), a detection signal A will be sent out. The atomizer 100 of the present invention further includes a control module 5. The control module 5 receives the detection signal A, and converts the detection signal A into a corresponding detection value. When the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13 is high, the detection value corresponding to the detection signal A sent by the receiving end 42 according to the light signal (light L2) is relatively high. Conversely, when the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13 is low, the detection value corresponding to the detection signal A emitted by the receiving end 42 according to the light signal (light L2) is lower.

The control module 5 includes a storage element 51, and the storage element 51 stores a set value, and the set value is a preset standard used to measure whether the medicine liquid in the first cavity 12 is sufficient or exhausted. The control module 5 can compare the detected value with the set value, and output the corresponding control signal B to the atomization module 2 according to the comparison result, and the atomization module 2 performs the switching action according to the control signal B.

Furthermore, if the detection value is greater than the set value, it means that the concentration of the aerosol in the second cavity 13 is high, and it also means that the medicine liquid in the first cavity 12 is sufficient to be continuously transformed into through the atomization module 2 Aerosol. Therefore, at this time, the control module 5 outputs the control signal B to the atomization module 2, so that the atomization module 2 is continuously powered on. Conversely, if the detection value is less than the set value, it means that the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13 is low, and it also means that the amount of the medicine liquid in the first cavity 12 is insufficient, so that the atomization module 2 will be converted into The mist becomes less. Therefore, at this time, the control module 5 outputs the control signal B to the atomization module 2 to make the atomization module 2 stop (power off).

[Second Embodiment]

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the bottom 14 of the cup body has a convex portion 141 protruding inwardly. Corresponding to the second through hole 31, the convex portion 141 is positioned above the second through hole 31. The design of the convex portion 141 can prevent condensation on the light detecting module 4. Since the atomization module 2 will continuously convert the drug liquid into aerosol and spread it in the second cavity 13, therefore, the bottom 14 of the cup body 1 will condense and gather water, which will affect the effect of light passing through and the light detection. The reliability of the detected aerosol concentration of the measuring module 4. In this embodiment, by forming the convex portion 141 above the second through hole 31, the water droplets formed by the condensation of the water vapor on the convex portion 141 will slide down due to gravity and will not gather on the convex portion 141.

[Third Embodiment]

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the bottom 14 of the cup 1 is a recessed ladder-like structure, and the joint surface 30 of the host 3 is a A raised ladder-like structure, and the light detecting module 4 is arranged inside the raised ladder-like structure. The joint surface 30 of the host 3 is designed with a convex ladder-like structure and is also designed to avoid condensation of water vapor at the light exit of the light detection module 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the light L1 emitted by the light detecting module 4 is emitted from the second through hole 31 to the side. In other words, the light L1 can be emitted from the second through hole 31 to the side at any angle. In other words, the bottom 141 of the cup body 1 is a vertical surface on the light-emitting surface corresponding to the light detection module 4 and the second through hole 31. Therefore, the water droplets formed by condensation of water vapor will slide down due to gravity and will not gather in the vertical surface. Surface.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first embodiment of the present invention provides a method for detecting aerosol inside an atomizer, which includes at least the following steps:

Step S1: The atomization module 2 is configured to convert the drug liquid in the first cavity 12 in the cup 1 into aerosol and disperse it in the second cavity 13 in the cup 1.

Step S2: Configure the light detection module 4 to emit light to detect the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13 and send out a detection signal A accordingly.

Step S3: Configure a control module 5 to receive the detection signal A, and convert the detection signal A into a corresponding detection value.

Step S4: Compare the detected value with the setting value stored in the control module 5, so that the control module 5 outputs the corresponding control signal B to the atomization module 2 according to the comparison result, and makes the atomization module 2 follow The control signal B executes the switching action.

In step S4, the atomization module 2 performs the switching action according to the control signal B, which means that when the detection value is greater than the set value, it indicates that the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13 is high, that is, the first cavity 12 The drug liquid inside is sufficient. Therefore, at this time, the control module 5 outputs the control signal B to the atomization module 2, so that the atomization module 2 is continuously powered on. Conversely, if the detection value is less than the set value, it means that the aerosol concentration in the second cavity 13 is low, that is, the medicine liquid in the first cavity 12 is insufficient. Therefore, at this time, the control module 5 outputs the control signal B to the atomization module 2 to make the atomization module 2 stop (power off).

[Beneficial effects of the embodiment]

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the atomizer 100 provided by the present invention can pass through "the atomizer 100 includes a cup body 1, an atomization module 2, a host 3, and a light detection module 4", " The inside of the cup 1 is provided with a partition wall 11, which divides the inside of the cup 1 into a first cavity 12 and a second cavity 13", "the first cavity 12 is used to store the medicine liquid, and the atomization module 2 will The medicinal liquid is converted into aerosol and dispersed in the second cavity 13", "the main body 3 and the cup 1 are joined, and the joint surface 30 where the main body 3 and the cup 1 are joined has a second through hole 31" and "light detection" The measuring module 4 emits light from the second through hole 31 and passes through the bottom 14 of the cup 1 and enters the second cavity 13 to detect the concentration of the aerosol. The concentration of aerosol inside the device 100 determines the amount of liquid medicine, and reduces the probability of air vibration of the atomization module 2.

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the method for detecting aerosol inside the nebulizer 100 provided by the present invention can remove the medicine from the first cavity 12 in the cup 1 by configuring the nebulizer module 2 The liquid is converted into aerosol and dispersed in the second cavity 13 in the cup 1", "The light detection module 4 is configured to emit light to detect the concentration of aerosol in the second cavity 13, and the detection is issued accordingly. Test signal A", "Configure the control module 5 to receive the detection signal A, and convert the detection signal A into the corresponding detection value" and "Compare the detection value with the setting value stored in the control module 5 to Make the control module 5 output the corresponding control signal B to the atomization module 2 according to the comparison result, and make the atomization module 2 execute the switching action according to the control signal, so as to use the detection of the internal The aerosol concentration judges the stock of the liquid medicine and reduces the probability of air vibration of the atomization module 2.

Furthermore, different from the prior art, the prior art uses electrical components to detect whether there is a residual amount of drug liquid through the change of electrical properties (resistance, current, voltage, etc.). Use the optical sensing element (light detection module 4) to receive different values with or without aerosol to determine whether there is aerosol stored in the second cavity 13, and when the received value is lower than a certain value, It is determined that the atomization of the medicine liquid is completed, and the atomization action of the atomization module 2 is stopped.

In addition, compared to the prior art, the optical sensing element (light detection module 4) and the atomization module 2 are placed in the same space for the atomization module 2 to perform detection actions. In the present invention, through the mechanism design of the cup body 1 and the host 3, the cup 1 can be movably assembled with the host 3, and the atomization module 2 is arranged in the cup 1, and the optical sensing element is arranged in the host 3. By arranging the optical sensing element and the atomization module 2 on different objects, the aerosol generated by the atomization module 2 will not directly contact the optical sensing element. This has the advantage that the optical sensing element does not touch the aerosol, which can avoid the possibility that the optical sensing element will dissolve into the aerosol and affect the properties of the drug. Furthermore, the cup object is a replaceable object, and the optical sensing element is placed on the host, which can reduce the number of assembling elements of the atomizer 100 as a whole, and reduce the consumption and waste of elements.

The content disclosed above is only the preferred and feasible embodiments of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the description and schematic content of the present invention are included in the application of the present invention. Within the scope of the patent.

100: Atomizer 1: Cup body 10: Nozzle 11: Partition wall 111: first through hole 12: The first cavity 13: second cavity 14: The bottom of the cup 141: Convex 15: Translucent wall 2: Atomization module 3: host 30: Joint surface 31: second through hole 4: Light detection module 41: Transmitter 42: receiving end 5: Control module 51: storage components S1~S4: steps L1: light L2: light A: Detection signal B: Control signal

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the atomizer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the cup body and the host in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the atomizer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of the joint between the cup body and the host in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an atomizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of the joint between the cup body and the host in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an atomizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of the joint between the cup body and the host in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the atomizer of the present invention.

10 is a schematic diagram of the steps of the method for detecting aerosol inside the atomizer of the present invention.

100: Atomizer

1: Cup body

10: Nozzle

3: host

Claims (12)

An atomizer, which includes: A cup with a partition wall inside, the partition wall is used to divide the inside of the cup into a first cavity and a second cavity, and the first cavity is used to store the medicinal liquid; An atomization module set on the partition wall, the partition wall has a first through hole, and the atomization module is used to convert the drug liquid into an aerosol and disperse it through the first through hole In the second cavity; A host movably engaged with the cup body, and a joint surface of the host for engagement with the cup body has a second through hole; and A light detecting module is arranged inside the host and corresponding to the second through hole, and the light detecting module is used to emit at least one light emitted from the second through hole and pass through the cup The bottom of the body enters the second cavity to detect the concentration of the aerosol. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the bottom of the cup body is made of a light-transmitting material. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein a transparent wall is provided between the second through hole and the light detecting module. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitted by the light detection module is emitted upward from the second through hole, and the light detection module is based on the detected light The measured concentration of the aerosol emits a detection signal. The atomizer according to claim 4, further comprising: a control module for receiving the detection signal and converting the detection signal into a corresponding detection value. The atomizer according to claim 5, wherein the control module includes a storage element, the storage element stores a setting value, and the control module is used to compare the detection value with the setting Value, and output a corresponding control signal to the atomization module according to the comparison result, and the atomization module performs a switching action according to the control signal. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the cup body has a convex portion protruding inwardly, and the convex portion corresponds to the second communication port when the cup body is connected to the host. hole. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the cup body is a concave ladder-like structure, and the joint surface of the main body is a convex ladder-like structure, and the The light detection module is arranged inside the raised ladder structure. The atomizer according to claim 8, wherein the at least one light emitted by the light detection module is emitted from the second through hole to the side. A method for detecting aerosol inside an atomizer, which includes: Configuring an atomization module to convert the drug liquid in a first cavity in the cup into aerosol and disperse it in a second cavity in the cup; Disposing a light detecting module to emit at least one light to detect the concentration of the aerosol in the second cavity, and to emit a detection signal accordingly; Configure a control module to receive the detection signal and convert the detection signal into a corresponding detection value; and The detection value is compared with a setting value stored in the control module, so that the control module outputs a corresponding control signal to the atomization module according to the result of the comparison, and makes The atomization module performs a switching action according to the control signal. The method for detecting aerosol inside an atomizer according to claim 10, wherein, when the detection value is greater than the set value, the control module outputs the corresponding control signal to the atomization mode Group to make the atomization module continue to operate. The method for detecting aerosol inside an atomizer according to claim 10, wherein, when the detection value is less than the set value, the control module outputs the corresponding control signal to the atomization mode Group to turn off the atomization module.

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