Abstract:
A humidifier for a respiratory apparatus includes a first cover, a second cover engaged with the first cover and a partition plate. The first cover defines an air inlet. The second cover defines a chamber configured to contain at least some amount of water. A heater is configured to heat the water to generate humidified air in the chamber. The partition plate is partly sandwiched between the first cover and the second cover. The partition plate defines an air outlet. Air input via the air inlet is humidified by being mixed with the humidified air and thereafter ejected through the air outlet. The air entering via the air inlet is divided by the partition plate into a plurality of flows having different flow velocities, thereby form a plurality of flow paths.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(c) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/873,337, filed on Sep. 3, 2013, entitled “HUMIDIFIER for Respiratory Apparatus”, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure generally relates to a humidifier, and particularly relates to a humidifier for a respiratory apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A humidifier is a device for supplying breathable air to user. An air inlet of the humidifier communicates with a blower and an air outlet of the humidifier communicates with a breathing mask. Air from the blower is humidified in the humidifier and then passes to the breathing mask through an air delivery conduit. The humidifier generally includes a first cover, a second cover and a partition plate. The first cover defines the air inlet for air to enter and the air outlet for air to flow out. The second cover includes a chamber with some water. A heating plate is embedded in a bottom of the chamber to heat the water to generate humidified air. The air from the air inlet is humidified by mixing with the humidified air and passes out of the humidifier through the air outlet. The partition plate is located between the first cover and the second cover to prevent the water from entering the air inlet or the air outlet of the first cover. Traditionally, the partition plate is just a flat plate for preventing water in the second cover from entering the air inlet and the air outlet in the first cover. However, when air flows into the humidifier through the air inlet, a resonance phenomenon will occur in the single chamber of the humidifier and noise is thus generated. The noise generated from the resonance can be a disturbance to a user either awake or asleep. In addition, prior humidifiers did not provide flow with high humidity and thus it was uncomfortable for a user to breathe the air generated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a humidifier in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is another isometric view of the humidifier in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the humidifier in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an first cover in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an inverted, isometric view of the first cover in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a second cover in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the second cover in  FIG. 6 , viewed in another perspective. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a partition plate in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is an inverted, isometric view of the partition plate in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is an inverted, isometric view of the partition plate in  FIG. 8 , viewed in another perspective. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is an inverted, isometric view of the partition plate in  FIG. 8 , viewed in yet another perspective. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    An embodiment of a humidifier will now be described in detail below and with reference to the drawings. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a humidifier  100  in accordance with an embodiment is provided. The humidifier  100  includes a first cover  110 , a second cover  120 , a partition plate  130 , a first gasket  140  and a second gasket  150 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , the first cover  110  defines a first chamber  111  and a second chamber  112 . The first chamber  111  is separated from the second chamber  112  by a first divider plate  113 . When the first cover  110  is assembled with the partition plate  130 , the first divider plate  113  abuts on, or contacts at least in part with, partition plate  130  and substantially separates the first chamber  111  from the second chamber  112 . 
         [0019]    An air inlet  114  is defined at a lateral side of the first cover  110  and communicates with the first chamber  111 . The air inlet  114  is configured to communicate with an air blower (not shown) and receive air from the air blower. The first cover  110  further includes a first engaging portion  115  and a second engaging portion  116 . The first engaging portion  115  defines a first groove  1151 , and the second engaging portion defines a second groove  1161 . The first engaging portion  115  and the second engaging portion  116  are configured to connect the first cover  110  with the second cover  120 . In one embodiment, the first chamber  111  is defined at the first side of the first cover  110  and the second chamber  112  is defined at the second side of the first cover  110 . The second side of the first cover  110  has a curved shape. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-7 , the second cover  120  defines a third chamber  121  and a fourth chamber  122 . The third chamber  121  is separated from the fourth chamber  122  by a second divider plate  123 . The third chamber  121  and the fourth chamber  122  can be filled with water. The second divider plate  123  defines a first aperture  124  and a second aperture  125  to communicate the third chamber  121  and the fourth chamber  122 , thereby allowing the water to flow freely between the third chamber  121  and the fourth chamber  122 . In this embodiment, the second divider plate  123  includes a first flat portion  1231  and a second flat portion  1232 . The first flat portion  1231  is substantially perpendicular to the second flat portion  1232  to make the second divider plate  123  into an “L” shape. The second divider  123  can be in any shape which can provide the shape of the fourth chamber  122 . The first aperture  124  is defined in the first flat portion  1231  in a position adjacent to the second flat portion  1232 . The second aperture  125  is defined in the second flat portion  1232  in a position adjacent to an edge of the second cover  120 . 
         [0021]    The aperture  125  described here can be in any form which can provide the communication between the third chamber  121  and the fourth chamber  122 . Alternatively, the aperture  125  can be, but is not limited to, a slot, a through hole, an opening, or a filter. The aperture  125  can employ the combination of the configuration described above and can be in plural form. The second cover  120  can be in one piece with the second divider plate  123  which may be made of plastic materials, or can be formed by assembling a plurality of plastic elements together. A bottom plate  126  of the second cover  120  can be configured to serve as a heat transfer medium. Preferably, the bottom plate  126  can be made of metal, which is configured to securely engage the second cover  120  to contain water without leakage. The bottom plate  126  can be made of plastic and is either in one piece with the second cover  120  or is an independent member. In one embodiment, the bottom plate  126  can be made of plastic material and further, on its outer surface, engaged with a metal cap. The bottom plate  126  is configured to transfer heat to the water in the second cover  120  to generate humidified air. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, a heating mechanism is provided to heat the water to generate humidified air. In one embodiment, the heating mechanism can be a heating plate embedded or formed together in a bottom of the chamber to heat the water to generate humidified air. In another embodiment, the heating mechanism can be a bottom plate  126  made of heat conductive material capable of transferring heat into the water in the chamber. In another embodiment, the heating mechanism can be a heater configured to heat the water in the humidifier. The second cover  120  further includes a first protrusion  127  and a second protrusion  128  extending outwardly from the edge thereof In assembling the first cover  110  with the second cover  120 , the first protrusion  127  is engaged with the first groove  1151  in the first engaging portion  115 , and the second protrusion  128  is engaged with the second groove  1161  in the second engaging portion  116 . The engagement between the first cover  110  and the second cover  120  can employ different mechanisms which can provide secure or substantially secure, engagement. In other embodiments, the engagement can be, but is not limited to, a buckle engagement, a velcro strap or a securing strap, or the defined combination of the above. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , the partition plate  130  includes a main body  131  and a side body  132  formed at one side of the main body  131 . The side body  132  defines an air outlet  133  on an upper portion thereof. In this embodiment, the upper portion of the side body  132  defines a chamber (not shown in the figures) which can contain air so as to provide a path for air to flow to the air outlet  133 . The air outlet  133  communicates with the third chamber  121  and the fourth chamber  122  of the second cover  120 . A blocking member  134  is formed under the air outlet  133 . The blocking member  134  includes a bottom wall  1341  and a side wall  1342 . The bottom wall  1341  and the side wall  1342  cooperatively define a sectoring hole  1343  to communicate the air outlet  133  with the third chamber  121  and the fourth chamber  122 . In this embodiment, the bottom wall  1341  is horizontal and the side wall  1342  is located in the area between the bottom wall  1341  and the upper portion of the side body  132 . When humidified air is condensed on the upper portion of the side body  132  near the air outlet  133 , the bottom wall  1341  and the side wall  1342  of the blocking member  134  can prevent water from entering the sectoring hole  1343  and passing to a breathing mask or an air delivery conduit through the air outlet  133 . The blocking member  134  can be in any shape or any form which can reduce or block liquid from entering the conduit. The main body  131  defines a first opening  135 , a second opening  136  and a third opening  137 . The first opening  135  is located in a position away from the air outlet  133 . The second opening  136  and the third opening  137  are located in the area between the first opening  135  and the air outlet  133 . When the partition plate  130  is assembled with the first cover  110 , the first divider plate  113  abuts on or contacts the main body  131  and separates the first opening  135  from the second opening  136  and the third opening  137 . The first chamber  111  is in communication with the third chamber  121  via the first opening  135 . The third chamber  121  is in communication with the second chamber  112  via the second opening  136 . The second chamber  112  is in communication with the fourth chamber  122  via the third opening  137 . The first opening  135  comprises a first portion  1351  and a second portion  1352 . The first portion  1351  and the second portion  1352  extend downwardly from the main body  131  so as to form two open ended well-like portions. An extending length of the first portion  1351  is less than an extending length of the second portion  1352 . In one embodiment, an air guiding plate  138  is located beside the first opening  135  and extends upwardly from the main body  131 . When air enters into the humidifier  100  from the air inlet  114 , the air is divided into two different parts by the air guiding plate  138  (hereinafter “Flow A” and “Flow B” respectively). Flow A travels between an outer edge of the first cover  110  and the air guiding plate  138 , and enters the third chamber  121  through the first portion  1351  of the first opening  135 . Flow B travels between the air guiding plate  138  and the first divider plate  113 , and enters the third chamber  121  through the second portion  1352  of the first opening  135 . The second opening  136  and the third opening  137  can have, but is not limited to, a rectangular structure. The main body  131  further comprises a first air guiding plate  1353 , a second air guiding plate  1361 , a third air guiding plate  1371  and a supporting plate  1372  extending downwardly from the main body  131 . The first air guiding plate  1353  is located at one side of the first portion  1351  away from the second portion  1352 . In one embodiment, the first air guiding plate  1353  is curved outwardly away from the third chamber  121 . The second air guiding plate  1361  is located at one side of second opening  136  adjacent to the sectoring hole  1343  of the blocking member  134 . The third air guiding plate  1371  is located at one side adjacent to the third opening  137 . The supporting plate  1372  is located between the second opening  136  and the third opening  137 , and directly connected with the third air guiding plate  1371 . The supporting plate  1372  is configured to support the third air guiding plate  1371 . When the partition plate  130  is assembled with the second cover  120 , the supporting plate  1372  abuts on or contacts the second divider plate  123 . In another embodiment, the supporting plate  1372  can also be located adjacent to the second divider plate  123 . It is to be noted that the supporting plate  1372  can be left out if desired. Still, the plates described above can be in one piece with the partition plate  130  or can be separate members that can be securely attached to the relative position described. 
         [0024]    In operation, air entering the humidifier  100  is divided into Flow A and Flow B. Flow A travels along one air channel between the outer edge of the first cover  110  and the air guiding plate  138  and enters the third chamber  121  through the first portion  1351  of the first opening  135 . Flow B travels along another air channel between the air guiding plate  138  and the first divider plate  113  and enters through the third chamber  121  through the second portion  1352  of the first opening  135 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , since the extending length of the first portion  1351  is shorter than that of the second portion  1352 , Flow A passing through the first portion  1351  has a flow velocity higher than Flow B passing through the second portion  1352 . According to Bernoulli&#39;s law, an increase in the speed of the flow occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. Therefore, Flow A will have a lower pressure than Flow B. Since it is a natural phenomenon to have a high pressure air to flow toward a low pressure air, Flow B will move toward Flow A and thus create a certain path of air flow. When Flow B flows toward Flow A, both flows reach the first air guiding plate  1353  and the curved first air guiding plate  1353  can guide the flows. Since the first air guiding plate  1353  is curved, the flows (which may be Flow A, Flow B or the mixed flow of both) can follow the direction given by the curvature of the first air guiding plate  1353  and thus create a rotation of the flows within the third chamber  121 . Therefore, a traveling path of air in the third chamber  121  is extended and the rotating air will be better mixed with humidified air in the third chamber  121 . When the rotating air reaches the second air guiding plate  1361 , the rotating air will enter the second chamber  112  of the first cover  110  through the second opening  136 . Since the rotating air continues to enter the second chamber  112  of the first cover  110  through the second opening  136 , air in the second chamber  112  will enter the fourth chamber  122  of the second cover  120  through the third opening  137  and become mixed with humidified air in the fourth chamber  122  again. The air in the fourth chamber  122  will then enter the sectoring hole  1343  of the blocking member  134  and move out of the humidifier  100  from the air outlet  133 . When the rotating air reaches the third air guiding plate  1371 , the air will travel along an air channel between the second air guiding plate  1361  and the third air guiding plate  1371 , and directly enter the sectoring hole  1343  of the blocking member  134  and exit the humidifier  100  from the air outlet  133 . 
         [0025]    In the humidifier  100  described above, air entering the air inlet  114  is divided into Flow A and Flow B by the air guiding plate  138 . After passing through the first portion  1351  and the second portion  1352  of the first opening  135  respectively, Flow A and Flow B will have different flow velocities. Flow A and Flow B with different flow velocities will collide with the first air guiding plate  1353 , the second air guiding plate  1361 , and the third air guiding plate  1371  to generate sounds with different frequencies. Therefore, a resonance phenomenon in the second cover  120  is mitigated or avoided, and noise generated by the humidifier  100  is reduced. Furthermore, the first air guiding plate  1353  guides Flow A and Flow B with different flow velocities to rotate. The rotating air in the third chamber  121  will be better mixed with the humidified air, thereby increasing humidity of the flows. 
         [0026]    The humidifier  100  can further include a first gasket  140  and a second gasket  150 . The first gasket  140  is formed between the first cover  110  and the partition plate  130 . The second gasket  150  is formed between the second cover  120  and the partition plate  130 . The first gasket  140  and the second gasket  150  are configured to prevent water or air from leaking out of the humidifier  100 . It is to be noted that the mechanism used to secure the engagement of the humidifier assembly to prevent water or air flow leakage can be employed in different ways. 
         [0027]    In addition, the second air guiding plate  1361  is substantially parallel to the third air guiding plate  1371 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , seen from the lateral side of the partition plate  130 , a gap  139  is formed between the second air guiding plate  1361  and the third air guiding plate  1371 . A portion of the flow in the third chamber  121  can pass through the gap  139  to the air outlet  133 . The second air guiding plate  1361  and the third air guiding plate  1371  can extend the flow path and disturb the flows in the third chamber  121 . This further helps reduce spills of the contained water by mitigating the blowing force and thus reducing the possibility of spills entering the conduit and the mask. The width of the gap  139  may influence the phenomena described above. In this embodiment, the gap  139  between the second air guiding plate  1361  and the third air guiding plate  1371  has a width in a range from 1 mm to 8 mm. Preferably, the gap  139  between the second air guiding plate  1361  and the third air guiding plate  1371  has a width about 2 mm. It is to be noted that the gap  139  may be employed in different shape. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the gap  139  can be formed in a slight V shape. 
         [0028]    It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, including in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.