DE102012221839B3 - Device for inhaling oxygenated air, has disinfection unit with ultraviolet-light source, which irradiates partial area of flow line - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a housing (1), in which the ambient air (6a) to be treated is introduced through an inlet opening (7) and an enrichment unit (3) for oxygen enrichment of the air to be treated. An ionization unit (2) is provided for generation of anions (8), and a flow line (11) is provided for guiding treated or to be treated air. A disinfection unit (4) is provided with an ultraviolet-light source, which irradiates the partial area of the flow line. An independent claim is included for a method for the treatment of breathing air for an inhalation device.

Description

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a device for inhaling oxygen-enriched air with a housing in the ambient air to be treated is introduced through an inlet opening, an ionizing means for generating anions, an enrichment device for oxygen enrichment of the air to be treated and a flow line for guiding an air flow from the enrichment device to a inhalation attachments.

The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of breathing air for an inhalation device comprising the following method steps: supplying ambient air into a housing of the device, generating anions in an ionization device and oxygen enrichment of the ambient air supplied into the housing in an enrichment device.

A generic inhalation device is known for example from http://powerair-gmbh.de.

Due to his professional, family and private environment, humans spend about 80% of their lives indoors. However, air in closed rooms is usually heavily loaded. In addition, many people complain of stress, move too little, tend to overweight and in extreme cases already suffer from a weakened immune system. The most common consequences are decreased performance, lack of concentration, prolonged periods of tiredness, respiratory ailments, etc. a. due to insufficient oxygen supply to the body. Inhalation devices have therefore been developed with which targeted oxygen-enriched air can be inhaled.

With the device known from http://powerair-gmbh.de as Powerair Station3000, the oxygen content can be increased by 40% compared to the natural oxygen content of the air, while the oxygen absorption of the body by increasing the concentration of anions (negative ions) is improved , This device is intended especially for use in practices of naturopaths, homeopaths, gyms and in the wellness and spa area.

Ionizers are devices for generating anions. They preferably operate at high voltages of a few thousand volts and a corona discharge at spikes, which can generate billions of ions per second. When these anion-enriched air is blown onto surfaces, materials can be loaded or unloaded. The resulting free radicals promote chemical degradation processes, which can be used for odor removal and disinfection. In addition, the body's receptiveness to oxygen is enhanced by increasing the anion concentration in the air. However, the sterilization caused by the production of anions is often insufficient to guarantee germ-free air. Especially in facilities that are visited by many people, the air often has an increased bacterial, viral and mold concentration.

In order to avoid an inhalation of germs, it is known to supply highly concentrated oxygen via a pressure bottle. However, the pressure bottles must be replaced regularly, which requires monitoring of the level and a corresponding order logistics and therefore is impracticable and time consuming.

Object of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to propose an inhalation device that can be safely used by people with weakened immune system without having to monitor the level of oxygen must be performed.

Brief description of the invention

This object is achieved in that a sterilization device is provided with at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source, wherein the UV light source irradiates at least a portion of the flow line.

UV radiation can be known to be used for disinfection. The photons in the UV range change the cell nucleus through a photolytic process and thus prevent cell division. UV radiation therefore has a germicidal effect on almost all germs.

The present invention utilizes this effect to treat anions and oxygen enriched air within an inhalation device. However, with regard to inhalers, caution should be exercised with regard to the use of UV light, as UV radiation may produce ozone which, in turn, may be harmful to the respiratory tract. Therefore, ozone-free UV illuminants are preferably used as UV sources, for example LEDs emitting light in the wavelength range> 200 nm or UV illuminants in which ozone-producing vacuum UV radiation (<200 nm) is filtered out, eg. B. by providing a quartz glass body in which the light source is located.

In order to ensure effective irradiation of the air flowing through the flow line, the flow line, at least in the area in which it is irradiated by the UV light source, made of UV-transparent material, preferably made of quartz glass. In addition, the irradiation power can be increased by focusing the light emitted by the at least one light source by means of one or more lenses on the flow line.

For the oxygen enrichment, it is preferable to use a molecular sieve in the form of an osmosis filter which filters out nitrogen molecules from the air to be treated, whereby the oxygen concentration in the air of 21% (natural oxygen concentration) can be increased by 40%.

The inhalation device according to the invention allows the inhalation of sterilized, oxygen-enriched air and at the same time ensures an improved oxygen uptake by reducing the concentration of cations.

Preferably, a plurality of UV light sources are provided. In this way, the radiation intensity can be increased and any losses due to absorption in the line material can be compensated.

In a particularly preferred development of this embodiment, the UV light sources are arranged radially around the flow line. Preferably, the light sources are evenly distributed on a circle concentric to the flow line and directed to the flow line, so that there is a uniform irradiation of the air flowing through the flow line from all sides.

A particularly preferred embodiment provides that a magnet arrangement is provided for generating a magnetic field, wherein the flow line leads through the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement serves to generate a magnetic field which retains the cations possibly still present in the air flow in the flow line. In this way, the concentration of cations in the treated air is further reduced.

This can be done, for example, in that the flow line extends at least at one point within the magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field. The ions then experience a force perpendicular to the flow direction (Lorenz force) and are deflected towards the wall of the flow line.

However, an embodiment in which at least one current-carrying annular coil is arranged around the flow line is preferred, wherein the flow direction of the current in the coil is selected so that a magnetic field is formed in the interior which deflects the cations to the outside. Preferably, the toroidal coil is wound around a ferromagnetic toroidal core to reinforce the magnetic field.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, two spaced apart in the flow direction of the air ring coils are provided. With such a two-stage barrier reliable filtering of the cations can be ensured.

Preferably, the cations are directed to a cathode where they are neutralized or derived.

Preferably, a moistening device is provided to increase the humidity of the air to be treated. This can be realized in particular by passing the air through a water bath.

The inventive method for the treatment of breathing air according to the invention comprises a sterilization by UV irradiation in a sterilizing device.

Preferably, the air to be treated is passed through a water bath. As a result, on the one hand the humidity is increased and on the other hand the air is cleaned of coarse particles.

Preferably, the air to be treated is supplied by means of a pump to the enrichment device, the sterilization device and possibly the moistening device. This allows the flow rate of air within the flow line to be regulated.

In a particularly preferred variant, the air to be treated is passed through a magnetic field in order to avoid that the cations possibly still contained in the air are supplied to the user. The cations are deflected by the magnetic field and can then be dissipated.

Preferably, the generation of the anions is carried out as a first method step. During the ionization, the other treatment components (enrichment device, degerminator) can be switched off.

In a specific development of this embodiment, the anions generated are first released to the environment. Then, the air having the increased anion concentration is supplied to the housing again, and then the Subjected to oxygenation and sterilization. In this way, in addition to the cation concentration of the air supplied to the user of the inhalation device, the cation concentration of the total ambient air in the corresponding space is also reduced. For an average sized room (about 20 m ² ), the ionizer should be operated for about half an hour to adequately supply the ambient air with anions.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings. Likewise, the features mentioned above and those listed further can be used individually or in any combination. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as exhaustive enumeration, but rather have exemplary character for the description of the invention.

Drawing and detailed description of the invention

Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention; and

2a , b sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the sterilization device in combination with a magnet arrangement according to the invention (magnetic-optical module).

1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for inhaling oxygen-enriched air. The device comprises a housing 1 in which an ionization device 2 for generating anions, an enrichment device 3 for oxygenation and a sterilization facility 4 are arranged.

About a fan 5 is to be prepared ambient air 6a through an entrance opening 7 in the case 1 sucked. The to the ionization device 2 passing ambient air 6a is ionized by being in the ionizer 2 anions 8th , in particular oxygen anions, are produced. This is preferably done by corona discharge of a high voltage supplied conductive tip. The generated anions 8th be through an outlet 9 returned to the environment. Due to the increased concentration of anions, the cations present in the air, which lead to concentration problems and circulatory problems if they are too high, are neutralized. In this way, the natural concentration of anions in the air can be restored and allows for better oxygen uptake in the body.

With the further treatment (oxygen enrichment, sterilization) of the ambient air is preferably only started when enriched with anions ambient air 6b has a sufficient concentration of anions. However, it is also possible to carry out the further treatment steps in parallel with the ionization. In this case, one will either accept an initially lower anion concentration, or not (or only partially) return the anions generated back to the ambient air, but into a separate air reservoir (not shown) in which the anion-enriched air is intermediately stored and from which the anion enriched air can be removed for further processing.

The anion-enriched air 6b is by means of a vacuum pump 10 (shown here in two stages), sucked through an osmotic filter, which serves as an enrichment device 3 serves. The osmosis filter acts as an oxygen concentrator: The sucked in ambient air with around 21% oxygen becomes nitrogen with the help of a filter membrane or a molecular sieve 6c withdrawn. In this way, an oxygen concentration of about 40% is achieved, whereby an oxygen concentration of up to 30% can be realized. The filtered out nitrogen 6c is via a nitrogen outlet 17 of the housing 1 delivered to the environment.

Via a flow line 11 the oxygen and anion enriched air becomes a humidifier 12 directed. The humidifier 12 is here designed as a bottle filled with water. The air is passed through the water, which wets it. In addition, the passage of the air through the water causes a cleaning of the air of coarse particles. Since the water should be changed regularly, the humidifier is located 12 preferably outside the housing 1 , An arrangement within the housing 1 but it is also possible. The so humidified air finally becomes the sterilization facility 4 guided.

The degerminator 4 is with at least one UV light source 13 (please refer 2 B ) fitted to the flow line 11 is directed. There are different geometries with respect to the arrangement and shape of the light sources 13 possible. A particularly preferred embodiment of the degermination device 4 is in 2a . 2 B shown.

2a shows a longitudinal section in the direction of flow 11 , while 2 B shows a cross section in which the flow direction 11 points out of the drawing plane. Six UV light sources 13 (eg mercury or amalgam lamps) are around the flow line 11 arranged. That from the light sources 13 emitted UV light 13a is on the flow line 11 and can be focused via lens elements (not shown). By arranging several light sources 13 On the one hand, it can be achieved that the flow line 11 On the other hand, radiation losses in the material of the flow line can be uniformly illuminated from all sides 11 occur, be balanced. A translucent retaining ring 15 ensures that the light sources 13 have the desired distance to each other.

It is particularly advantageous if the sterilization device 4 in combination with a magnet arrangement 16 (see also 1 ) is operated, which generates a magnetic field, the further transport of cations in the flow direction 14 prevents the air. The magnet arrangement 16 is preferably at least partially with respect to the flow direction 14 arranged behind or at the same height as the sterilization device, so that cations, which may be generated by the UV irradiation, do not get into the airflow transported to the user. At the in 2a and 2 B The embodiment shown is the magnet arrangement 16 two-stage executed by two current-carrying toroidal coils 18 are provided, so that a distraction of the cations both before and after the sterilization device 4 he follows. Inside the flow line 11 An annular magnetic field is formed 19 from that the cations to the edge of the flow line 11 deflects while the anions force a force to the center of the flow line 11 experienced and thus can be transported without hindrance.

Anion and oxygen enriched, humidified and sterilized air 6d ( 1 ) will then pass through the flow line 11 to a nasal cannula or breathing mask (not shown) through which the user can breathe the treated air.

The order of the individual process steps is almost arbitrary. However, it is advantageous to carry out the sterilization and the filtering of the cations by the magnet arrangement as the last method steps in order to minimize contamination of the air by possible subsequent components.

A device for inhaling oxygen-enriched air with a housing 1 , into the ambient air to be treated 6a through an entrance opening 7 is introduced; an enrichment facility 3 for oxygen enrichment of the air to be treated, an ionization device 2 for generating anions 8th ; and a flow line 11 for the management of treated and treated air 6b . 6d , wherein the flow line 11 the enrichment facility 3 connected to an inhalation attachment, is characterized in that a sterilization device 4 with at least one UV light source 13 is provided, wherein the UV light source 13 at least a portion of the flow line 11 irradiated. This provides an inhalation device that can be safely used by people with compromised immune systems without having to monitor the level of oxygen.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

casing

2

ionization

3

enrichment device

4

sterilization device

5

Fan

6a

untreated ambient air

6b

Air with increased anion concentration

6c

filtered nitrogen

6d

Enriched, humidified and sterilized air

7

entrance opening

8th

anions

9

outlet opening

10

vacuum pump

11

Flowline

12

humidifying

13

UV-light source

13a

UV light

14

Flow direction of the air

15

retaining ring

16

magnet assembly

17

nitrogen outlet

18

toroid

19

magnetic field

Claims (13)

Device for inhaling oxygen-enriched air, comprising - a housing ( 1 ), into the ambient air ( 6a ) through an entrance opening ( 7 ) is introduced; - an enrichment facility ( 3 ) for the oxygenation of the air to be treated, - an ionization device ( 2 ) for the production of anions ( 8th ); - a flow line ( 11 ) for the management of treated and treated air ( 6b . 6d ), whereby the flow line ( 11 ) the enrichment facility ( 3 ) with an inhalation attachment, characterized in that a sterilization device ( 4 ) with at least one UV light source ( 13 ) is provided, wherein the UV light source ( 13 ) at least a portion of the flow line ( 11 ) irradiated. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of UV light sources ( 13 ) are provided. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the UV light sources ( 13 ) radially around the flow line ( 11 ) are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a magnet arrangement ( 16 ) is provided for generating a magnetic field and the flow line ( 11 ) through the magnetic field. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow line ( 11 ) extends at least at one point in the magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one current-carrying annular coil ( 18 ) around the flow line ( 11 ) is arranged, wherein the flow direction of the current in the toroidal coil ( 18 ) is selected so that in the flow line ( 11 ) a magnetic field ( 19 ) is formed, which deflects the cations to the outside. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a moistening device ( 12 ) to increase the humidity of the air to be treated ( 6b ) is provided. Process for the preparation of breathing air for an inhalation device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following process steps: - supplying ambient air ( 6a . 6b ) in a housing ( 1 ) of the device; - Generation of anions ( 8th ) in the supplied air ( 6a ) in an ionization device ( 2 ); - oxygen enrichment of the supplied air ( 6b ) in an enrichment facility ( 3 ); characterized in that a sterilization by UV irradiation in a sterilization device ( 4 ) is carried out. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the air to be treated is passed through a water bath. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the air to be treated ( 6b ) of the enrichment device, the sterilization device and possibly the moistening device by means of a pump ( 10 ) is supplied. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the air to be treated ( 6b ) is passed through a magnetic field which causes a force on the cations perpendicular to the direction of flow. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the ionization is carried out as a first method step. Process according to claim 12, characterized in that the anions ( 8th ) are first released to the environment, the air ( 6b ) with the increased anion concentration of the housing ( 1 ) is re-supplied and the air is then subjected to oxygenation and sterilization.

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