JP2005198702A - Oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

An oxygen concentrator capable of preventing the display of predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.
A display means 2 for displaying predetermined information, a detection means 3 for detecting brightness around the display means, and a switching means 4 for switching the brightness of the display means 2 are provided. The switching unit 4 darkens the first threshold relating to the ambient brightness detected by the detecting unit 3 for switching the brightness of the display unit 2 from bright to dark, and the brightness of the display unit 2. And a second threshold value related to the ambient brightness obtained by the detecting means 3 for switching from one to the brighter, wherein the second threshold value is larger than the first threshold value. This is an oxygen concentrator 1.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator.

  In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. One of the most effective treatments is oxygen inhalation therapy, in which oxygen-enriched gas is directly applied from the air. Separating oxygen concentrators have been developed, and are becoming increasingly popular as treatment devices for oxygen inhalation therapy because of convenience during use and ease of maintenance.

  As such an oxygen concentrator, an adsorption type oxygen concentrator in which one or a plurality of adsorbents capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen is packed is known, and in particular, a pressure fluctuation using an air compressor as an air supply means Adsorption-type oxygen concentrators are used as devices for home oxygen inhalation therapy. In addition, a method of electrochemically separating oxygen using a solid electrolyte membrane is also known.

  Here, when the oxygen concentrator is used at home, it is often used during nighttime sleep. For this reason, if the display light of the display device that displays predetermined information of the oxygen concentrator is made brighter in order to improve the visibility in the daytime, there is a problem that it becomes an obstacle to sleep at night. Conversely, when the display light is darkened at night, there is a problem that visibility in the daytime is lowered.

  In order to solve such a problem, “a medical oxygen concentrator that separates oxygen in the air and supplies oxygen-enriched air to the user is provided with a display unit that displays and displays information related to driving, There has been proposed a “medical oxygen concentrator” characterized in that it comprises a detecting means for detecting the brightness and a switching means for switching the brightness of the display means according to the detection result (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-225310 A (Claim 1)

  Here, when switching the light emission brightness of the display, it seems that a threshold value of 100 lux or less is appropriate as a threshold value of the ambient brightness, but the brightness close to this threshold value by illumination or light from the outdoors even at night. May be. Further, if the room is dim even in the daytime, the brightness may be close to the above threshold.

  In such a state, in the case of nighttime, the actual indoor illuminance becomes considerably unstable due to light from the window, for example, outdoor lighting, automobile light, moonlight, etc., and the brightness detected by the light sensor is around the threshold value. May vary.

  Even in a dimly lit room in the daytime, the brightness may fluctuate before and after the above threshold due to the movement of people, flickering of fluorescent lights, the degree of light insertion from windows, and the like. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the brightness fluctuates before and after these threshold values, the brightness of the display is frequently switched, flickering of the light emission display occurs, and the display of the predetermined information becomes difficult to see. There is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an oxygen concentrator capable of solving such a conventional problem and preventing the display of predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

  Means for solving the problem comprises display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting the brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means. The switching means switches the brightness of the display means from the darker side to the first threshold relating to the ambient brightness detected by the detecting means for switching the brightness of the display means from brighter to darker. An oxygen concentrator comprising: a second threshold value related to the ambient brightness obtained by the detection means for switching to a brighter one, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value It is.

  Another means for solving the problem includes display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting the brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means. And the switching means is configured to display the display after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ambient brightness detected by the detection means exceeds a predetermined threshold related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means. The oxygen concentrator is characterized in that the brightness of the means is switched.

  Another means for solving the problem includes display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting the brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means. The switching means includes a plurality of thresholds related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means, and the switching means corresponds to the ambient brightness of the display means. The oxygen concentrator is characterized in that the brightness is switched in stages.

  Another means for solving the problem includes display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting the brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means. The switching means has a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means, and has an operation means for changing the threshold value. It is an oxygen concentrator.

  Another means for solving the problem includes display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting the brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means. The switching means has an operation means for changing the sensitivity of the detection means, having a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means. Is an oxygen concentrator characterized by

  According to the present invention, there is provided a first threshold value for switching the brightness of the display means from a brighter side to a darker side, and a second threshold value for switching the brightness of the display means from a darker side to a brighter side. Thus, even if the ambient brightness fluctuates before and after the first threshold value, the threshold value for switching the brightness of the display means from the brighter side to the darker side is the second threshold value. Less flicker. Even if the ambient brightness fluctuates before and after the second threshold, the threshold for switching the brightness of the display means from the darker to the brighter is changed to the first threshold. Less flicker. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

  According to the present invention, the switching means switches the brightness of the display means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ambient brightness detected by the detection means exceeds a predetermined threshold. Therefore, since the brightness of the display means is not frequently switched, the flickering of the brightness of the display means is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see. The predetermined time is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 10 seconds. Within this range, the brightness of the display means can be switched while suppressing the flickering of the brightness of the display means.

  Further, according to the present invention, there are a plurality of thresholds for switching the brightness of the display means, and the brightness of the display means is switched in a stepwise manner corresponding to each of the plurality of threshold values. Changes gradually, and the flickering of the brightness of the display means is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see. Furthermore, it is preferable to make the brightness of the display means brighter when the threshold when switching the brightness exceeds a high threshold.

  And according to this invention, the said switching means has the threshold value regarding the said ambient brightness detected by the said detection means for switching the brightness of the said display means, The operation means to change the said threshold value As a result, the switching of the brightness does not frequently occur, and the flickering of the brightness of the display means is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

  According to the invention, the switching means has a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means, and changes the sensitivity of the detection means. By having the operation means, the switching of the brightness does not occur frequently, and the flickering of the brightness of the display means is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an oxygen concentrator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen concentrator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 2 that displays predetermined information, a detection unit 3 that detects the brightness around the display unit 2, and the brightness of the display unit 2. And a control means 5 for controlling the operation of the detection means 3 and the switching means 4.

  Examples of the display means 2 include a liquid crystal display with a backlight, a light emitting diode, and a fluorescent tube display device. The predetermined information to be displayed includes oxygen concentration, concentrated oxygen flow rate, oxygen generation amount, voltage, operation time, failure information, and the like.

  Examples of the detection means 3 include a photodiode, a phototransistor, a photoconductive element, and a solar cell.

  An example of the switching means 4 is a switching electric circuit.

  An example of the control means 5 is a microcomputer.

  The means for separating oxygen from the air in the oxygen concentrator 1 is not particularly limited. For example, a means for separating oxygen from the air using an adsorbent that adsorbs nitrogen, a solid electrolyte membrane, A means for electrochemically separating oxygen from air can be employed.

[Operation of oxygen concentrator]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the detection value detected by the detection means and the threshold value, and the brightness of the display means over time. The operation of the oxygen concentrator will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  First, the detection means 3 detects the brightness around the display means 2. The detected value is sent to the control means 5 as a detection means detection value. This detection means detection value is compared with a threshold value preset in the control means 5. When this detection means detection value reaches the first threshold value preset in the control means 5, the control means 5 issues a command to the switching means 4 to switch the brightness of the display means 2 from brighter to darker. Simultaneously with this switching, the threshold value preset in the control means 5 is changed from the first threshold value to the second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value.

  Thereafter, the detection value detected by the detection means is compared with time by the control means 5. When this detection means detection value reaches the second threshold value set in the control means 5, the control means 5 issues a command to the switching means 4 to switch the brightness of the display means 2 from darker to brighter. Simultaneously with this switching, the threshold value set in the control means 5 is changed again from the second threshold value to the first threshold value.

  The difference between the first threshold value and the second threshold value is determined by the sensitivity or the like of the detection means 3, but is preferably 5 to 50 lux in terms of illuminance, for example. Within this range, the brightness of the display means 2 can be switched while suppressing the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained.
(1) Since the first threshold value and the second threshold value are provided, even if the ambient brightness fluctuates before and after the first threshold value, the threshold value is already changed to the second threshold value. The flickering of the brightness is reduced. Even if the ambient brightness fluctuates before and after the second threshold value, the threshold value is already changed to the first threshold value, so that the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same parts and members as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is simplified.

  The oxygen concentrator according to the first embodiment is different from the oxygen concentrator according to the second embodiment in that the oxygen concentrator according to the second embodiment performs the following operation.

[Operation of oxygen concentrator]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the detection value detected by the detection means and the threshold value, and the brightness of the display means over time. The operation of the oxygen concentrator will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  First, the detection means 3 detects the brightness around the display means 2. The detected value is sent to the control means 5 as a detection means detection value. This detection means detection value is compared with a threshold value preset in the control means 5. When this detection means detection value reaches a threshold value preset in the control means 5, the control means 5 brightens the brightness of the display means 2 to the switching means 4 after a predetermined time T1 has passed since the threshold value was exceeded. A command to switch from one side to the other side is issued.

  Thereafter, the detection value detected by the detection means is compared with time by the control means 5. When this detection means detection value reaches the threshold value set in the control means 5, after a predetermined time T2 elapses after the threshold value is exceeded, the control means 5 causes the switching means 4 to make the brightness of the display means 2 darker. A command to switch from to brighter is issued.

  The time T1 and the time T2 may be the same or different. The time T1 and the time T2 are preferably 0.5 to 10 seconds, for example. Within this range, the brightness of the display means 2 can be switched while suppressing the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained.
(2) After the time T1 (or T2) elapses after the ambient brightness detected by the detection unit 3 exceeds the threshold, the switching unit 4 switches the brightness of the display unit 2 frequently. Since the brightness of the display unit 2 is not switched, the flickering of the brightness of the display unit 2 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The oxygen concentrator according to the first embodiment is different from the oxygen concentrator according to the third embodiment in that the oxygen concentrator according to the third embodiment performs the following operation.

[Operation of oxygen concentrator]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the detection value detected by the detection means and the threshold value, and the brightness of the display means over time. The operation of the oxygen concentrator will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

  First, the detection means 3 detects the brightness around the display means 2. The detected value is sent to the control means 5 as a detection means detection value. This detection means detection value is compared with a plurality of threshold values preset in the control means 5. When this detection means detection value reaches a plurality of threshold values preset in the control means 5, a command for switching the brightness of the display means 2 in a stepwise manner corresponding to each of the plurality of threshold values is issued.

  In addition, as a method of switching the brightness of the display unit 2 in a stepwise manner, for example, a method of performing control to change a voltage or a current supplied to the display unit 2, a pulse of the voltage or current supplied to the display unit 2, A method for controlling the pulse width is exemplified. Further, it is preferable that the brightness of the display means 2 is increased as the threshold value when the brightness is switched exceeds a higher threshold.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained.
(3) The change in brightness becomes moderate, and the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows an oxygen concentrator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The oxygen concentrator 1 according to the first embodiment and the oxygen concentrator 6 according to the fourth embodiment are the detection means 3 for the oxygen concentrator 6 according to the fourth embodiment to switch the brightness of the display means 2. It has a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the above, and has an operation means 7 for changing the threshold value. Here, the operation means 7 gives a command for changing the threshold value to the control means 5.

[Operation of oxygen concentrator]
The operation of the oxygen concentrator will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the detection means 3 detects the brightness around the display means 2. The detected value is sent to the control means 5 as a detection means detection value. This detection means detection value is compared with a threshold value preset in the control means 5.

  Here, when the switching of the brightness of the display unit 2 frequently occurs, the threshold value when the switching unit 4 is switched by the operation unit 7 corresponding to the ambient brightness detected by the detection unit 3 is set. Make a change. The operation means 7 may be directly operated by the user using a switch or the like, or the operation means 7 may be automatically operated by a program using the microcomputer of the control means 5. Further, the threshold for switching the switching means 4 may be restored after a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 10 seconds. Within this range, the brightness of the display means 2 can be switched while suppressing the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained.
(4) The switching of the brightness of the display means 2 is less frequent, and the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows an oxygen concentrator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The oxygen concentrator 1 according to the first embodiment and the oxygen concentrator 8 according to the fifth embodiment are the detection for the oxygen concentrator 8 according to the fifth embodiment to switch the brightness of the display means 2. It has a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the means 3 and is different in that it has an operating means 9 for changing the sensitivity of the detecting means 3. Here, the operation means 9 gives the control means 5 a command to change the sensitivity of the detection means 3.

[Operation of oxygen concentrator]
The operation of the oxygen concentrator will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the detection means 3 detects the brightness around the display means 2. The detected value is sent to the control means 5 as a detection means detection value. This detection means detection value is compared with a threshold value preset in the control means 5.

  Here, when the brightness of the display unit 2 frequently changes, the sensitivity of the detection unit 3 is changed by the operation unit 9 in accordance with the ambient brightness detected by the detection unit 3. The operation means 9 may be operated directly by the user using a switch or the like, or the operation means 9 may be automatically operated by a program using the microcomputer of the control means 5. Further, the sensitivity of the detection means 3 may be restored after a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 10 seconds. Within this range, the brightness of the display means 2 can be switched while suppressing the flickering of the brightness of the display means 2.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained.
(5) The switching of the brightness of the display means 2 is less frequent and the brightness flicker of the display means 2 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the predetermined information from becoming difficult to see.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved are included in the present invention. In addition, the specific structure, shape, and the like when carrying out the present invention may be other structures and the like as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. Moreover, you may combine embodiment of each invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the detection value detected by the detection unit according to the first embodiment and the threshold value, and the brightness of the display unit over time. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the detection value detected by the detection unit according to the second embodiment and the threshold value, and the brightness of the display unit over time. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the detection value detected by the detection unit according to the third embodiment and the threshold value, and the brightness of the display unit over time. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an oxygen concentrator according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oxygen concentrator 2 Display means 3 Detection means 4 Switching means 5 Control means 6 Oxygen concentrator 7 Operating means 8 Oxygen concentrator 9 Operating means

Claims (5)

Comprising display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means,
The switching unit is configured to change the brightness of the display unit from the darker side to the first threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection unit for switching the brightness of the display unit from a brighter side to a darker side. And an oxygen concentrator, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value. Comprising display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means,
The switching unit is configured to display the brightness of the display unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after the ambient brightness detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection unit. An oxygen concentrator characterized by switching the thickness. Comprising display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means,
The switching means includes a plurality of thresholds related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means, and the brightness of the display means is set corresponding to the ambient brightness. An oxygen concentrator characterized by switching in stages. Comprising display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means,
The switching means has a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means,
An oxygen concentrator comprising operating means for changing the threshold value. Comprising display means for displaying predetermined information, detection means for detecting brightness around the display means, and switching means for switching the brightness of the display means,
The switching means has a threshold value related to the ambient brightness detected by the detection means for switching the brightness of the display means,
An oxygen concentrator comprising operating means for changing the sensitivity of the detecting means.

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