JP2006122077A - Oxygen enricher - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an excellent oxygen enricher that can effectively supply oxygen-enriched air in accordance with breathing while ensuring good usability, and is small and light while reducing power consumption.
An oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means for sucking oxygen-enriched air produced by an oxygen-enriching means and discharging and supplying oxygen-enriched air to a user from a discharge unit. Air flow detection means for detecting the flow of air generated by breathing (expiration and / or inspiration) is provided, and the control means changes and controls the operating state of the suction air blowing means in response to a signal from the air flow detection means. Yes, the control means fully drives the suction sending means at the user's inspiration from the signal of the air flow detection means to increase the discharge amount of oxygen-enriched air and stop the suction air blowing means at the time of expiration to reduce the power consumption of the equipment Is also possible.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an oxygen enricher that provides a user with so-called oxygen-enriched air obtained by using an oxygen-enriching means, and more particularly, oxygen for intermittently supplying oxygen-enriched air according to a breathing cycle. It is about the enrichment machine.

  Conventional oxygen enrichers (membrane-type oxygen concentrators using oxygen-enriched membranes, etc.) have been used for the treatment of diseases such as pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, but according to recent studies, oxygen concentrations of 30-40 Aspiration of oxygen enriched air on the order of% has been proven to have a preventive medical effect. Oxygen enrichment machines (using oxygen-enriched membranes) designed primarily as home health devices that can be used easily by users with symptoms that are “not necessary to go to the hospital but are unwell” It has become like this. The oxygen-enriched air discharge part of the oxygen enricher as a home health device is not a conventional nasal cannula for disease treatment, for example. There are demands for not only getting in the way even when moving around, but also for a good fit and a good appearance.

  As described above, the oxygen-enriched air discharge unit of the oxygen enrichment machine as a household health device is difficult to fix in the vicinity of the nasal cavity, so that the positional relationship between the nasal cavity and the discharge part is inevitably changed during use. In addition to the fact that the device generates oxygen-enriched air at a predetermined flow rate / concentration, the oxygen concentration is reduced not only by mixing with normal air but reaching the user's nose. Similarly, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to feel the feeling of oxygen-enriched air coming (sucking) at the nose, and it is difficult to satisfy both the effect and the feeling of use.

  To attempt to cope with this problem by simply increasing the amount of oxygen-enriched air generated in the equipment, for example, the surface area of the oxygen-enriched film is increased (the film size is increased or the number is increased), and oxygen is further increased. It is possible to increase the size of the pump for sucking oxygen-enriched air from the enriched membrane. However, this is in contradiction to the reduction in size, weight, and price that is always required for home appliances, and it is difficult for users to benefit.

By the way, looking at the details of the conventional oxygen enrichers, the oxygen enrichment aiming only at the time of detecting and inhaling the user's breath as a technology related to the above-mentioned downsizing (equipment) and securing the oxygen inhalation amount. Some use a so-called demand regulator that discharges chemical air to save the oxygen consumption of the oxygen cylinder and secure about three times the usage time. If the use time is the same, the size of the oxygen cylinder is reduced, and if the same use time is the same, the diversion can be increased (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-92038

  However, the conventional device as the demand regulator detects the breathing timing by detecting the pressure generated by the user's breathing and ejects high-concentration oxygen vigorously only at the timing of inspiration. It is difficult to detect the breathing pressure with an oxygen enrichment machine as a household health device that is set away from the nasal cavity, and in order to discharge air vigorously in accordance with the inspiration timing, for example, about 140 kpa Since it is necessary to discharge at a high pressure, it is difficult to develop the application only with equipment equipped with high-pressure oxygen enriching means such as oxygen cylinders.

  The present invention solves the above problems, and in an oxygen enrichment machine for use in health equipment such as lifestyle-related disease prevention, it can effectively supply oxygen-enriched air in accordance with breathing while ensuring good usability. An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent oxygen enricher that is small and light while reducing the power consumption of the device.

  As a result of diligent efforts to solve the above problems, oxygen enrichment having suction air blowing means for sucking oxygen enriched air generated by the oxygen enrichment means and discharging oxygen enriched air to the user from the discharge unit In the machine, if the air flow detecting means for detecting the air flow generated by the user's breathing (expiration and / or inspiration) is used to detect the breathing, it is relatively far from the vicinity of the user's nasal cavity. It is possible to accurately detect and detect a breathing cycle and the like even in a position space, and the control means solves the problem by changing and controlling the operation state of the suction air blowing means according to a signal from the airflow detecting means. The present invention has been found out and has been accomplished. Incidentally, the development of air flow detection means (flow rate sensor) has been remarkable, and it has become possible to construct a semiconductor circuit (monolithic), and an ultra-small, inexpensive and highly accurate sensor has been developed.

  That is, the present invention detects the air flow generated by the user's breathing in an open space as much as possible, and further ensures that the oxygen-enriched air discharge unit and the user's nasal cavity are relatively close to the nose even if the distance from the user's nasal cavity is relatively far The present invention provides an oxygen enricher having a so-called breath synchronization function capable of blowing enriched air, and is small and light in weight so that the usability can be improved.

  Even if the distance from the oxygen-enriched air discharge unit to the user's nasal cavity is relatively long, the oxygen-enriching machine of the present invention detects the user's breath with high accuracy and synchronizes with the user's breath. A suitable amount of oxygen-enriched air that blows an appropriate amount of oxygen-enriched air at the base of the nose, improves the flow rate of oxygen-enriched air that can be sucked even though it is small, and can provide an excellent oxygen-enriching machine that can also be effective in reducing the power consumption of equipment. .

  1st invention is the oxygen enricher which has the suction ventilation means which sucks the oxygen enriched air produced | generated by an oxygen enrichment means, and discharges and supplies oxygen enriched air to a user from a discharge part, Air flow detection means for detecting the flow of air generated by a person's breathing (expiration and / or inspiration), and the control means changes and controls the operating state of the suction air blowing means in response to a signal from the air flow detection means. The control means, from the signal of the air flow detection means, fully drives the suction sending means at the time of inhalation of the user to increase the discharge amount of oxygen-enriched air and stops the suction blower means at the time of exhalation to reduce the power consumption of the device It is also possible to reduce this.

  The second invention is an oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means for sucking oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means and discharging and supplying oxygen-enriched air to the user from the discharge unit. Air flow detection means for detecting the flow of air generated by a person's breathing (expiration and / or inspiration), and storage means that is provided between the suction air blowing means and the discharge section and can store oxygen-enriched air; Opening / closing means provided between the storage means and the discharge part and capable of switching between discharge and sealing of oxygen-enriched air from the discharge part is provided, and the control means is provided by a user's signal from the air flow detection means. When exhaling, the opening / closing means is closed and the oxygen-enriched air blown by the suction air blowing means is stored in the storage means so that it can be pressurized, and when inhaling, the opening / closing means is opened and the oxygen-enriched air is vigorously discharged to the user's nose. Is something that can be done.

  A third invention is an oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means for sucking oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means and discharging and supplying oxygen-enriched air to a user from a discharge unit. Air flow detection means for detecting the flow of air generated by a person's breathing (expiration and / or inspiration), and storage means that is provided between the suction air blowing means and the discharge section and can store oxygen-enriched air; Opening / closing means provided between the storage means and the discharge part and capable of switching between discharge and sealing of oxygen-enriched air from the discharge part is provided, and the control means is provided by a user's signal from the air flow detection means. At the time of exhalation, the opening / closing means is closed and the oxygen-enriched air blown by the suction air blowing means is stored in the storage means so that it can be pressurized. Driving suction air blowing means Those that can be vigorously discharged oxygen-enriched air to a user's nose from.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the air flow detection means is a flow rate sensor, and it is possible to trace changes in the flow direction and flow rate of air generated by the user's breathing with high accuracy.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the control means controls the operation so that oxygen-enriched air is continuously discharged from the discharge portion regardless of the signal from the airflow detection means for a predetermined time from the start of operation of the device. Until the user's breathing can be reliably traced immediately after the start of use, oxygen-enriched air can be reliably supplied to the user without performing respiratory synchronization control.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means observes the information of the airflow detection means for a predetermined time to determine the breathing cycle determination means for determining the breathing cycle of the user and the breathing cycle information determined by the breathing cycle determination means. A breathing timing discriminating means for judging the expiration and / or the start of inspiration is provided, and the control means performs a judgment process together with information from the breathing timing discriminating means and controls to discharge and / or seal the oxygen-enriched air from the discharge portion. It is configured, and the true breathing state of the user is judged from the signal detected by the airflow detection means, and the detection signal and the user by the airflow detection means are performed by performing respiratory synchronization control based on the judgment result It is possible to correct the timing difference from the actual breathing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the control means notifies the detection signal information from the air flow detection means and / or the information from the breathing timing determination means by the notification means, and changes in the air volume of oxygen-enriched air to the nose. In addition to (tactile sensation), it is possible to recognize the state of respiratory synchronization control with eyes (visual).

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means controls breathing synchronization so that oxygen-enriched air is continuously discharged from the discharge section when the signal of the air flow detection means deviates from the normal breathing cycle determined by the breathing cycle discrimination means for a predetermined period. If the user's respiratory cycle once determined by the respiratory cycle discriminating means is greatly deviated, the controller continuously discharges until the synchronization cycle is determined again. It is something to control.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage means capable of storing oxygen-enriched air is constituted by an elastic container that can be expanded and contracted by the blowing pressure of the suction blowing means, and the opening / closing means is closed and the blowing pressure of the suction blowing means is used. When the elastic container is inflated, the oxygen-enriched air can be stored even at a lower air pressure than when the elastic container is not used, so that the load on the suction air blowing means can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced. Further, even when the opening / closing means is opened and the compressed oxygen-enriched air in the elastic container is discharged from the discharge portion, the elastic container can be gradually contracted, so that discharge at an appropriate flow rate is possible.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the oxygen enricher according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising pressure detection means, and the control means also processes both signals from the air flow detection means and the pressure detection means. It is configured, and safety when the pressure of the oxygen-enriched air is increased for some reason can be improved.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, when the control means detects a signal different from the predetermined detection signal information generated by the user's breathing for a predetermined time from the air flow detection means and / or the pressure detection means, that is, the user leaves the device. When the suction of oxygen-enriched air is interrupted, the control state is changed so as to reduce the power consumed by the equipment (stop the suction air blowing means), and the wasteful power consumption is suppressed. .

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is an oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means that sucks oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means and discharges and supplies oxygen-enriched air to the user from the discharge unit. A storage unit provided between the suction air blowing unit and the discharge unit and capable of storing oxygen-enriched air, and an oxygen-enriched air discharge and seal from the discharge unit provided between the storage unit and the discharge unit. It is configured to include an opening / closing means that can be switched and an operation unit that is operated by the user, and the user can open and close the opening / closing means by operating the operation unit. Oxygen-enriched air can be aspirated at a cycle / timing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 to 5, the main body 1 of the oxygen enricher is provided with oxygen enrichment means 2 for generating so-called oxygen-enriched air by increasing the concentration of oxygen. The oxygen-enriching means 2 of the present embodiment is composed of a flat film of an organic polymer called an oxygen-enriched film, and utilizes the difference in the speed of molecules passing through the film. Oxygen-enriched air is obtained by taking advantage of the properties that pass well. In ordinary air, the proportion of oxygen is about 21% (nitrogen is about 79%). In the oxygen-enriched air after passing through the oxygen-enriching means 2 in the present embodiment, the proportion of oxygen is about 30. % (Nitrogen about 70%).

  The suction air blowing means 3 for discharging the oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means 2 from the discharge portion 5 through the tube 6 is driven and controlled by the control means 4. The suction blower means 3 uses a pump having a high pressure during operation in order to increase the flow rate of oxygen-enriched air against the air passage pressure loss of the oxygen-enriched membrane unit of the oxygen-enriching means 2.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the user is using the oxygen enricher. It will be understood that a so-called headset-like fixing device 5a that can be fixed in the vicinity of the user's head or the like is mounted so that the discharge unit 5 is disposed at the user's nose. Further, a detailed cross-sectional view of the discharge section 5 is shown in FIG. The oxygen-enriched air sent from the suction blower 3 is blown through the tube 6 to the user's nose as shown by the solid white arrow 20 in FIG. 4 indicates the user's exhalation applied to the discharge unit 5 disposed at the user's nose. When the exhalation 21 passes through the air flow detection means 7 disposed in the discharge unit 5, The detecting means 7 detects a flow rate (air volume), detects a change in the flow of exhaled air and / or inhaled air, and outputs an air flow detecting means output signal 8 as a waveform signal as shown in FIG. The air flow detection means output signal 8 is transmitted to the breathing cycle detection means 9 and the control means 4.

  The respiratory cycle discriminating means 9 compares the waveform signal of FIG. 5 with a reference level to discriminate expiration and inspiration. The expiration / inhalation determination signal is transmitted to the respiration timing determination means 10, which determines the respiration timing and outputs the determination result to the control means 4. The control means 4 judges and judges the user's respiration itself from the signal of the respiration timing discriminating means 10 and the air flow detection means output signal 8 and drives the suction blower means 3 in accordance with the respiration, and the notification means 11 controls the control. Inform the situation. In the present embodiment, the notification means 11 is composed of an LED lamp shown in FIG.

  The operation of the oxygen enricher configured as described above will be described in more detail.

  When the user mounts the fixing means 5a (hereinafter referred to as a headset) as shown in FIG. 8 and starts the operation by turning on the operation switch, the control means 4 drives the suction air blowing means 3 (hereinafter referred to as the pump 3). Oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means 2 is sucked, blown to the tube 6, and discharged from the discharge unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as mouse 5) disposed at the tip of the tube 6 to the user's nose. Discharges enriched air. The solid solid arrow 20 in the enlarged view 4 of the mouse 5 indicates the state of oxygen-enriched air discharge to the user's nose. Similarly, a white broken line arrow 21 in FIG. 4 indicates an air flow caused by exhalation discharged from the user's nose and / or mouth, and this air flow is detected by an air flow detection means 7 (hereinafter referred to as a flow sensor 7).

  By the way, the structure of this mouse has been devised based on research results. That is, the oxygen-enriched air outlet and the air flow inlet by breathing are opened in substantially the same direction. This arrangement prevents the discharge air of oxygen-enriched air from being misjudged by the flow sensor 7 as the user's breath.

  Further explanation of the operation will be continued.

  During the first predetermined time after the start of operation, operation is performed so that oxygen-enriched air is continuously discharged regardless of the presence or absence of a signal from the air flow detection means 7 (hereinafter referred to as the flow sensor 7). This is due to research results that the user's breathing is often not immediately after the start of operation, and that continuous discharge is better immediately after the start of use.

  The flow sensor 7 outputs an air flow detection means output signal 8 (hereinafter referred to as a flow sensor output signal 8) based on the user's breathing during a first predetermined time immediately after the start of operation. An example of the state of the output signal is as shown in FIG. In many cases, this waveform does not completely correlate with the flow of exhaled air and inhaled air due to actual breathing. This is because the flow sensor 7 detects air flow and not the respiration flow itself, and further the followability of the flow sensor is not necessarily perfect. However, it has been verified that the waveform period substantially coincides with the respiration period, and the sum of the expiration signal period t1 and the inspiration signal period t2 exactly coincides with the respiration period.

  The breathing cycle determining means 9 receives the flow sensor output signal 8 and determines the breathing cycle of the user by observing and determining the signal based on the previous research results. The determination result of the respiratory cycle is sent to the respiratory timing determination means 10. Here, the start timing of the user's actual exhalation F1, F2 and / or inspiration B1, B2 is determined from the determination result of the respiratory cycle. This determination is made by an algorithm created based on the results of experiments and research on the flow sensor output signal 8 and the actual expiration and / or inspiration timing of the user in consideration of various factors. Since the contents are not necessary conditions for the present invention to be satisfied, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the first predetermined time elapses, the control means 4 operates the pump 3 from the inspiration start timing F1 to the expiration start timing B1 in FIG. 5 based on the signal of the breath timing determination means 10, and the expiration start in FIG. The pump 3 is stopped between the timing B1 and the intake start timing F2. Subsequently, the pump 3 is operated from the inspiration start timing F2 to the expiration start timing B2, and the intermittent operation of the pump 3 synchronized with the user's breathing is started from the expiration start timing B2. This operation control allows the user to operate the pump 3 only during inspiration when oxygen-enriched air can be aspirated, and to stop the pump 3 during expiration when oxygen-enriched air cannot be aspirated. The power can be reduced to about 1/2 to 1/3. Therefore, when a battery or a rechargeable battery is used as a power source, it can be used for a long time.

  Here, the control means 4 may output the state of the breath-synchronized operation (for example, operation or stop of the pump) to the reporting means 11 to inform the user. The user can have a greater sense of use and further increase the added value of the equipment.

  Thereafter, the user may remove the headset while the device is operating, move the mouse away from the base of the nose, or may make some movement during use. Then, the flow sensor output signal 8 changes greatly from the state of the signal so far or becomes undetectable. The control means 4 can observe and determine the large change in the respiratory cycle or the non-detected state based on signals processed by the respiratory cycle determining means 9 and the respiratory timing determining means 10. When such a state is detected continuously for a second predetermined time, the control means 4 may drive the pump 3 so as to interrupt the breath synchronization control and continuously discharge oxygen-enriched air. The possibility that a certain amount of oxygen-enriched air discharged from the mouse 5 is provided to the user is increased, leading to improved usability.

  Incidentally, there are cases where the flow sensor 7 cannot detect the air flow caused by the user's exhalation and / or inhalation at all even when the device is in operation. This is the case when the user leaves the device while operating the device. When the control means 4 observes and judges that the signals from the flow sensor 7 and the breathing timing determination means 10 cannot be detected continuously for the third predetermined time, the power consumed by the device is reduced, that is, the operation drive of the pump 3 is stopped. Control as follows. By this control, it is possible to prevent the user from wasting power by continuing the oxygen enrichment operation even though the user cannot suck the oxygen enriched air at all.

  For each of the above predetermined times, the present embodiment proposes a relationship of first predetermined time <second predetermined time <third predetermined time. Respiratory synchronized operation can be started in a short time from the start of operation, and oxygen-enriched air can be sucked in as much as possible even during some exercises and movements, minimizing unnecessary power consumption even if the device is forgotten to stop. In addition, the oxygen enricher of the present invention can be made more convenient.

  In this embodiment, the air flow detection means (flow sensor) 7 is disposed in the discharge portion (mouse) 5. For example, one of the two discharge ports inserted into the nasal cavity of the nasal cannula is oxygenated. If the remaining one as the enriched air discharge port is the air flow path of the flow sensor, it can be easily considered that the user's respiration detection accuracy is improved. Furthermore, if the tube 6 has a double structure or a configuration in which two tubes are arranged in parallel, an air flow accompanying a user's breathing is introduced and a flow sensor is arranged inside the main body, thereby reducing the size and weight of the mouse. Needless to say, it is not necessary to wire the wire for the air flow detection means (flow sensor) output signal 8 and the like along the tube 6 to the main body, and it is needless to say that the usability can be further improved.

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted or simplified, and only different parts will be described.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 12 denotes an opening / closing means arranged between the suction air blowing means 3 and the tube 6 connecting the discharge part 5, and a storage means for branching oxygen-enriched air from the suction air blowing means 3 from the discharge part 5 or the tube 6. 13 is switched. The opening / closing means 12 is constituted by, for example, an electromagnetic valve. When the opening / closing means 12 is closed, the oxygen-enriched air blown from the suction blowing means 3 is stored in the storage means 13, and when opened, the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 and the suction blowing are stored. The oxygen-enriched air blown from the means 3 can be combined and discharged to the discharge unit 5. The storage means 13 is capable of storing oxygen-enriched air by means of an elastically stretchable oxygen-enriched air storage bellows 18 as shown in the overview diagram of FIG. Reference numeral 14 denotes a storage pressure detection means provided in the storage means 13, which detects the pressure of the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 and transmits the information to the control means 41. Similarly, the second opening / closing means 15 provided in the storage means 13 can be driven to open / close by the control means 41. The control means 41 opens the second opening / closing means 15 so that the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 is removed. It can be opened to the atmosphere. When the control means 41 detects that the opening / closing means 12 remains closed for some reason and the oxygen-enriched air pressure in the storage means 13 becomes higher than the strength of the storage means 13, the control means 41 This is to prevent the storage means 13 from being broken by controlling the two opening / closing means 15 to open. The control means 41 controls the opening / closing means 12 based on the output of the air flow detection means 7 in addition to the same function as in the first embodiment, and outputs from the air flow detection means 7 and the storage pressure detection means 14. Thus, the second opening / closing means 15 is controlled.

  The operation of the oxygen enricher configured as described above will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and different parts will be mainly described.

  When the user wears the headset as shown in FIG. 8 and starts operation, the control means 41 opens the opening / closing means 12 and drives the suction air blowing means 3 (hereinafter referred to as pump 3) to generate the oxygen enrichment means 2. The oxygen-enriched air is sucked and blown to the tube 6 to discharge the oxygen-enriched air from the discharge unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as mouse 5) disposed at the tip of the tube 6 to the user's nose.

  During the first predetermined time after the start of operation, operation is performed so that oxygen-enriched air is continuously discharged regardless of the presence or absence of a signal from the air flow detection means 7 (hereinafter referred to as the flow sensor 7). This is for the same reason as in the first embodiment. The flow sensor 7 outputs an air flow detection means output signal 8 (hereinafter referred to as a flow sensor output signal 8) based on the user's breathing during a first predetermined time immediately after the start of operation. The output signal is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the breathing cycle discriminating means 9 receives the flow sensor output signal 8 and observes the signal to judge the breathing cycle of the user as in the first embodiment. . The determination result of the respiratory cycle is sent to the respiratory timing determination means 10. Here, the start timing of the user's actual exhalation F1, F2 and / or inspiration B1, B2 is determined from the determination result of the respiratory cycle. This determination is made by an algorithm created based on the results of experiments and research on the flow sensor output signal 8 and the actual expiration and / or inspiration timing of the user in consideration of various factors. Since the contents are not necessary conditions for the present invention to be satisfied, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the first predetermined time has elapsed, the control means 41 continues to discharge oxygen-enriched air as it is from the inspiration start timing F1 to the expiration start timing B1 in FIG. 5 based on the signal of the breath timing determination means 10. Similarly, between the exhalation start timing B1 and the inhalation start timing F2 in FIG. 5, the opening / closing means 12 is closed and the oxygen-enriched air is stored in the storage means 13. Further, from the subsequent intake start timing F2, the opening / closing means 12 is opened, and the oxygen-enriched air blown from the pump 3 and the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 are combined and blown to the discharge unit 5.

  Thereafter, the control means 41 repeatedly drives the opening / closing means 12 to close during the expiration period t1 and open during the expiration period t2, thereby opening / closing the oxygen-enriched air stored in the storage means 13 while the opening / closing means 12 is closed. When 12 is opened, so-called breathing synchronization control is started in which the oxygen-enriched air from the pump 3 is vigorously blown to the discharge unit 5 and provided to the user.

  By this operation control, the user can suck together the oxygen-enriched air from the pump 3 and the oxygen-enriched air stored in the storage means 13 during intake, so that the performance of the conventional oxygen enricher ( Compared with the oxygen-enriched air discharge performance determined by the capacity of the oxygen-enriching means 2 and the pump 3), it is possible to provide the user with oxygen-enriched air corresponding to a discharge performance substantially about 2 to 3 times higher than that. .

  Here, the control means 41 may output the state of the breath-synchronized operation (for example, the state of operation or stop of the pump) to the reporting means 11 to inform the user. The user can have a greater sense of use and further increase the added value of the equipment.

  Thereafter, the user may take off the headset 5a while driving the device, or move the mouse 5 away from the nose to make necessary movements, or may make some movement during use. Then, the flow sensor output signal 8 changes greatly from the state of the signal so far or becomes undetectable. The control means 41 can observe and determine the large change in the respiratory cycle or the non-detected state using the signals processed by the respiratory cycle determining means 9 and the respiratory timing determining means 10 as in the first embodiment. When such a state is continuously detected for the second predetermined time, the control means 41 drives the pump 3 so as to interrupt the respiration synchronization control and continuously discharge oxygen-enriched air. The possibility that a certain amount of oxygen-enriched air discharged from the mouse 5 is provided to the user is increased, leading to improved usability.

  Further, there is a case where the flow sensor 7 cannot detect the air flow caused by the user's exhalation and / or inspiration at all even during the operation of the device. This is the case when the user leaves the device while operating the device. Also in this case, as in the first embodiment, the control means 41 observes and determines that the signals from the flow sensor 7 and the breathing timing determination means 10 cannot be detected continuously for the third predetermined time, and reduces the power consumed by the device. That is, control is performed so that the driving of the pump 3 is stopped. By this control, it is possible to prevent the user from wasting power by continuing the oxygen enrichment operation even though the user cannot suck the oxygen enriched air at all.

  For each of the above predetermined times, the present embodiment proposes a relationship of first predetermined time <second predetermined time <third predetermined time. Respiratory synchronized operation can be started in a short time from the start of operation, and oxygen-enriched air can be sucked in as much as possible even during some exercises and movements, minimizing unnecessary power consumption even if the device is forgotten to stop. In addition, the oxygen enricher of the present invention can be made more convenient.

(Embodiment 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 and FIG. The same constituent elements as those of the second embodiment are given the same numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted or simplified, and only different parts will be described.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 16 denotes a pressure detection unit provided in the discharge unit 5, which is arranged so as to be able to detect the pressure in the discharge unit 5 or the tube 6 in the vicinity thereof, and a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 42. The control means 41 is configured to control the opening / closing means 12 and the pump 3 based on the output from the pressure detection means 16 in addition to the same function as in the second embodiment.

  The operation of the oxygen enricher configured as described above will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the second embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and different parts will be mainly described.

  When the user wears the headset as shown in FIG. 8 and starts operation, the control means 42 opens the opening / closing means 12 and drives the suction air blowing means 3 (hereinafter referred to as the pump 3) to generate the oxygen enriching means 2. The oxygen-enriched air is sucked and blown to the tube 6 to discharge the oxygen-enriched air from the discharge unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as mouse 5) disposed at the tip of the tube 6 to the user's nose. Thereafter, the same operation as in the second embodiment is performed.

  Here, due to the fact that the oxygen enrichment device is disposed near the user and the mouse 5 is disposed near the user's nose, the oxygen-enriched air outlet of the mouse 5 is blocked during operation. There is a possibility of peeling. The user notices that the discharge port is blocked in a short time and is likely to be moved to release the blockage. However, if the pump 3 blow pressure is high and the discharge port is blocked for a long time, the tube 6 and the main body 1 connection part (not shown) and the connection part (not shown) of the mouse | mouth 5 and the tube 6 may remove | deviate. In that case, when the pressurized oxygen-enriched air is discharged at once at the user's nose or the like, what is relaxed by sucking the oxygen-enriched air is ruined.

  In such a case, when the control means 42 observes and judges the information from the pressure detection means 16 and detects that the discharge port of the mouse 5 is closed, the control means 42 closes the opening / closing means 12 to stop the pump 3 and also notifies the notification means. 11 to control that the discharge port is closed.

(Embodiment 4)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, 9 and 10. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted or simplified, and only different portions are described.

  In FIG. 9, this oxygen enricher does not include the air flow detection means 7, the breathing cycle discrimination means 9, and the breathing timing discrimination means 10 provided in the first to third embodiments. Is provided with an operating means 17 operable.

  The main body 1 of the oxygen enricher of the fourth embodiment is provided with oxygen enrich means 2 for generating so-called oxygen enriched air by increasing the concentration of oxygen. The suction air blowing means 3 for discharging the oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means 2 from the discharge portion 5 through the tube 6 is driven and controlled by the control means 43.

  FIG. 3 shows how the user is using the oxygen enricher. It will be understood that a so-called headset-like fixing device that can be fixed in the vicinity of the user's head or the like is mounted so that the discharge unit 5 is disposed at the user's nose.

  The control means 43 controls to close the suction air blowing means 3 and the opening / closing means 12 arranged between the suction air blowing means 3 and the tube 6 connecting the discharge part 5 in accordance with a signal from the operation means 17 operated by the user. To do. The opening / closing means 12 is an electromagnetic valve capable of switching whether or not oxygen-enriched air blown from the suction blowing means 3 is blown to the discharge unit 5, and is blown from the suction blowing means 3 when the opening / closing means 12 is closed. The oxygen-enriched air is stored in the storage means 13, and when opened, the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 and the oxygen-enriched air blown from the suction blower means 3 are combined and discharged to the discharge unit 5. Yes. The storage means 13 is capable of storing oxygen-enriched air by means of an elastically stretchable oxygen-enriched air storage bellows 18 as shown in the overview diagram of FIG. The storage pressure detection means 14 detects the pressure of the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 and transmits the information to the control means 43. The second opening / closing means 15 can be opened / closed by the control means 43, and the control means 43 can open the second opening / closing means 15 to release the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13 to the atmosphere. When the control means 43 detects that the operating means 17 is continuously operated, the opening / closing means 12 remains closed, and the oxygen-enriched air pressure in the storage means 13 increases as it exceeds the strength of the storage means 13. This is because the control means 43 controls the second opening / closing means 15 to open so that an unexpected explosion of the storage means 13 can be prevented.

  11 is a notification means for notifying the user of the control state of the control means 43. In this embodiment, when the operation means 17 is operated, the control means 43 detects the detected information, and the notification information is used as it is by the notification means 11. It is composed of LED lamps for notification.

  The operation of the oxygen enricher configured as described above will be described in more detail.

  When the user wears the headset as shown in FIG. 8 and starts operation, the control means 43 drives the suction air blowing means 3 (hereinafter referred to as the pump 3) to generate the oxygen enrichment generated by the oxygen enrichment means 2. Air is sucked, blown to the tube 6, and oxygen-enriched air is discharged from the discharge portion 5 (hereinafter referred to as mouse 5) disposed at the tip of the tube 6 to the user's nose.

  Therefore, when the user operates the operation means 17, the control means 43 detects the operation signal and outputs a drive signal to close the opening / closing means 12 while being operated, and stores the oxygen-enriched air in the storage means 13. . When the user releases his / her hand from the operation means 17, the control means 43 opens the opening / closing means 12 and combines the oxygen-enriched air blown from the pump 3 with the oxygen-enriched air stored in the storage means 13. It blows well to the discharge part 5 and provides it to the user.

  With this operation control, the user can suck oxygen-enriched air that matches the oxygen-enriched air discharge performance determined by the capabilities of the oxygen-enriching means 2 and the pump 3 when the operating means 17 is not operated. Of course, by operating the operating means 17 every predetermined time, for example, in accordance with his / her breathing cycle, the oxygen-enriched air from the pump 3 and the oxygen-enriched air stored in the storage means 13 are sucked together. Therefore, the discharge performance is substantially 2-3 times that of the conventional oxygen enricher (oxygen-enriched air discharge performance determined by the capacity of the oxygen-enriching means 2 and the pump 3). The corresponding oxygen-enriched air can be sucked.

  As described above, the oxygen enricher according to the present invention has been studied to supply (discharge) oxygen-enriched air in accordance with the breathing cycle of the user, and is compared with a conventional oxygen enricher. Since the oxygen-enriched air generating capacity can be exhibited about 2 to 3 times, it is useful as an oxygen-enriching machine for home use and portable use such as reduction in size and weight of the apparatus and reduction in power consumption.

Control block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the oxygen enricher in Embodiment 1-3 External view showing use of oxygen enricher in first to fourth embodiments Sectional drawing of the discharge part of the oxygen enricher in Embodiment 1-3 Detection signal waveform diagram of air flow detection means of oxygen enricher in the first to third embodiments Control block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 2 of the present invention The block diagram which shows the storage means in Embodiment 2-4 Control block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Control block diagram of oxygen enricher in Embodiment 4 of the present invention The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the oxygen enricher in the same Embodiment 4.

Explanation of symbols

1 Body 2 Oxygen enrichment means 3 Suction air blow means (pump)
4 control means 41 control means 42 control means 43 control means 5 discharge part (mouse)
6 Tube 7 Air flow detection means (flow sensor)
8 Air flow detection means (flow sensor) output signal 9 Respiration cycle determination means 10 Respiration timing determination means 11 Notification means 12 Opening / closing means 13 Storage means 14 Storage pressure detection means (pressure sensor)
15 Second opening / closing means (solenoid valve)
16 Pressure sensing means 17 Operating means 18 Oxygen-enriched air storage bellows 20 Oxygen-enriched air 21 Exhalation (user exhalation)

Claims (12)

An oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means that sucks oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means and supplies the oxygen-enriched air to a user from a discharge unit, and is generated by the breathing of the user An oxygen enricher that includes an air flow detection means for detecting the flow of the air flow, and the control means changes and controls the operating state of the suction air blowing means in accordance with a signal from the air flow detection means. An oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means that sucks oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means and supplies the oxygen-enriched air to a user from a discharge unit, and is generated by the breathing of the user An air flow detection means for detecting the flow of air, a storage means provided between the suction air blowing means and the discharge section and capable of storing oxygen-enriched air, and provided between the storage means and the discharge section. An oxygen enricher comprising an opening / closing means capable of switching between discharge and sealing of oxygen-enriched air from the discharge section, wherein the control means controls opening / closing of the opening / closing means in accordance with a signal from the air flow detection means. An oxygen enricher having suction air blowing means that sucks oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriching means and supplies the oxygen-enriched air to a user from a discharge unit, and is generated by the breathing of the user An air flow detection means for detecting the flow of air, a storage means provided between the suction air blowing means and the discharge section and capable of storing oxygen-enriched air, and provided between the storage means and the discharge section. Opening / closing means capable of switching between discharge and sealing of oxygen-enriched air from the discharge portion is provided, and the control means controls opening / closing of the opening / closing means in accordance with a signal from the air flow detection means and operation of the suction air blowing means. An oxygen enricher that changes and controls the state. The oxygen enricher according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air flow detection means is a flow rate sensor. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation so that oxygen-enriched air is continuously discharged from the discharge unit regardless of a signal from the air flow detection unit for a predetermined time from the start of operation of the device. 2. An oxygen enricher according to item 1. The control means is configured to determine the breathing cycle of the user by observing the information of the airflow detection means for a predetermined time, and to start the expiration and / or inspiration of the user from the breathing cycle information determined by the breathing cycle discrimination means. 6. A respiration timing discriminating means for judging whether or not, and the control means carries out a judgment process together with information from the respiration timing discriminating means to control to discharge and / or seal oxygen-enriched air from the discharge part. The oxygen enricher according to any one of the above. 7. The oxygen enricher according to claim 6, wherein the control means is configured to notify the detection signal information from the air flow detection means and / or information from the breathing timing determination means by the notification means. 8. The control unit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control unit controls to discharge oxygen-enriched air continuously from the discharge unit when a signal from the air flow detection unit deviates from a normal breathing cycle determined by the breathing cycle determination unit for a predetermined period. Oxygen enricher. The oxygen enricher according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the storage means capable of storing the oxygen-enriched air comprises an elastic container that can be expanded and contracted by the blowing pressure of the suction air blowing means. . The control means includes pressure detection means for detecting the pressure generated by the user's breathing, and the control means also performs a judgment process in combination with signals from the air flow detection means and the pressure detection means, and performs suction suction means and / or opening / closing means. The oxygen enricher according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the operation state is changed and controlled. When the control means detects a signal different from the predetermined detection signal information generated by the user's breathing for a predetermined time from the air flow detection means and / or the pressure detection means for a predetermined time, the control means controls the suction air blowing means to reduce the power consumed by the device. The oxygen enricher according to claim 10, further comprising a feature for changing a state. An oxygen enricher having suction blower means for sucking oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enrichment means and discharging the oxygen-enriched air to a user from a discharge unit, wherein the suction blower means and the discharge A storage means provided between the storage section and capable of storing oxygen-enriched air; and an opening / closing switch provided between the storage means and the discharge section and capable of switching between discharge and sealing of oxygen-enriched air from the discharge section And an operation section operated by a user, wherein the control means controls opening and closing of the opening and closing means according to a signal from the operation section.

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