JPH10137339A - Humidifying device in oxygen concentrating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extremely minimize the generated of noise by providing an inlet port for introducing generated connected oxygen to a humidifying device, a discharge port to a supplying means, a vessel containing water for humidification, and a spraying means for spraying the water collected within the vessel, thereby humidifying the oxygen into the vessel. SOLUTION: A humidifying device in oxygen concentrating device has an inlet port 1 to concentrated oxygen, a discharge port 2, a humidifying water vessel 3, a Venturi pipe 4, a humindiflying water inlet pipe 5, a water vessel lid 6 and a humidifying water 7. The concentrated oxygen introduced through the inlet port 1 for concentrated oxygen is raised in flow velocity and reduced in pressure in the a straw part by the Venturi effect effect of the Venturi pipe 4. Therefore, the water is sucked through the inlet pipe and mixed with the condensed oxygen, whereby the condensed oxygen is humidified. The excessively sucked water is dropped onto the water surface since the terminal of the Venturi pipe 4 is opened within the vessel, and utilized again for humidification. On the other hand, the humidified concentrated oxygen is discharged thorough the discharge sport 2 of the lid 6, and guided to a supplying device to a patient.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a humidifier in an oxygen concentrator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a humidifier used for an oxygen concentrator has mainly been a bubble humidifier in which water is filled in a container and oxygen is blown into the water to humidify the container. However, this bubble-type humidifier generates a so-called popping sound when bubbles burst on the water surface. Since the oxygen concentrator is mainly used for home treatment, even a small amount of sound interferes with a good night's sleep during sleep at night, resulting in noise pain. In order to solve this problem, a filter made of a porous member is provided at the end of the outlet pipe for blowing oxygen into water, and the size of oxygen bubbles blown into water is reduced, or a humidifier is installed in the box. Although soundproof measures such as storing and covering with covers were taken, noise generation could not be completely prevented, or even if noise generation could be prevented, the device became large or heavy.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifying device in an oxygen concentrating device, wherein the humidifying device generates very little noise.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventor has conducted intensive studies in order to solve such problems, and as a result, has found that it is effective to humidify by spraying water in a humidifier. The invention has been reached. That is, the present invention provides a concentrated oxygen generator for respiration, a humidifier for humidifying the generated concentrated oxygen, and a humidifier in an oxygen concentrator having a supply unit for use.
An inlet for introducing the generated concentrated oxygen to the humidifier, an outlet for discharging to the supply means, a container containing water for humidification, and water stored in the container in the container. A humidifying device characterized by having a spraying means for humidifying oxygen introduced into a container by spraying.

[0005] The atomizing means referred to herein is a means for mixing water with a gas. Water is completely atomized or, if not completely atomized, is mixed with water to form a gas. It humidifies. Hereinafter, the humidifier in the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention will be described more specifically. The spraying means used in the present invention is generally used for spraying a liquid, and may be a so-called spray nozzle, a venturi tube, an orifice or the like using a differential pressure.

For example, in the case of a venturi tube, water for humidification is used as a humidifying water container (hereinafter, referred to as a water container) by using a pressure drop of a fluid flowing through a constricted portion (hereinafter, referred to as a throat) of the venturi tube. The humidification is performed by mixing with concentrated oxygen by utilizing a phenomenon that water sucked up in a throat portion is atomized by using an introduction pipe from the throat. Similarly, when an orifice is used, humidified water is sucked up from a water container by utilizing the pressure drop immediately after the gas passes through the orifice, and the water is atomized to humidify the concentrated oxygen.

Here, as a configuration of the entire humidifying device, the spraying device and the water container may be separately installed, but in this case, after the spraying device, surplus water used for humidification accumulates in the pipe, and the Since there is a possibility that the water may be led to the supply means for supplying water to the water supply device, it is necessary to provide a trap for removing water droplets between the supply means and the supply means, which complicates the apparatus. Therefore, by installing a spray device in a water container and performing spraying in the water container, it becomes possible to recycle surplus water as humidified water.

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example using a Venturi tube. In the figure, denotes the inlet and outlet of concentrated oxygen, denotes a humidification water container, denotes a venturi tube, denotes a humidification water introduction tube, denotes a water container lid, and denotes humidification water.
The concentration of the introduced oxygen is increased and the pressure is decreased at the throat due to the Venturi effect of the Venturi tube. For this reason, water is sucked up from the inlet pipe and is humidified by mixing with the concentrated oxygen. Since the end of the Venturi tube is released in the container, the excess water is dropped on the water surface and can be used again for humidification. On the other hand, the humidified concentrated oxygen is exhausted from an exhaust port provided in a lid of the humidifier, and is guided to a supply device for a patient. Table 1 shows a comparison between the results of the operation and a conventional bubble humidifier.

[0009]

[Table 1]

[0010]

According to the present invention, the generation of noise is extremely reduced while maintaining the humidification performance equivalent to that of the conventional bubble humidifier, and it is particularly advantageous as a humidifier for an oxygen concentrator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example using a Venturi tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Concentrated oxygen inlet 2. 2. Concentrated oxygen outlet Water container 4. Venturi tube 5. 5. Humidification water introduction pipe Water container lid 7. Humidifying water

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for producing concentrated oxygen for respiration, a humidifying means for humidifying the generated concentrated oxygen, and a concentrating unit provided in the humidifying means of the oxygen concentrating apparatus having a supply means for use. An inlet for introducing oxygen to the humidifier, an outlet for discharging to the supply means, a container containing water for humidification, and spraying water stored in the container in the container. A humidifier in an oxygen concentrator, comprising a spraying unit for humidifying oxygen introduced into a container. 2. A humidifier in an oxygen concentrator which sprays water using a Venturi tube as a means for spraying water in a container containing water for humidification. 3. A humidifier in an oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein said humidifier sprays water by means of an orifice plate by a differential pressure effect as means for spraying water in a container containing water for humidification.