JP2001149473A - Spray device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spray device which is low-maintenance and to which a liquid supply amount according to the spray amount can be sent while providing advantages of an ultrasonic mesh spray device such as low power, small size, steady chemical spray and uniform and fine particle diameter. SOLUTION: The spray device is provided with a single-horn vibrator 10 on one end in the direction of the central axis of which a vibrator 11 is mounted and whose other end in the direction of the central axis is an atomizing surface, a mesh member 15 placed on the atomizing surface of the vibrator 10 and a liquid supply device 20 for supplying chemical liquid to the atomizing surface of the vibrator 10. The chemical liquid in a storing tank 21 is supplied to the atomizing surface from a liquid supply pipe 31 by a liquid sending means 40 through a path 30 and is atomized by the mesh member 15 along with ultrasonic vibrations of the vibrator 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a spray device used for an inhaler or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a spraying device, there are a compressor type, an ultrasonic cavitation type shown in FIG. 24, and an ultrasonic mesh type shown in FIG. The compressor type spray device sucks a chemical solution with compressed air from a compressor and atomizes the solution.

[0003] The ultrasonic cavitation type spraying device is
In FIG. 24, a chemical 83 is placed in water 81 in a container 80.
The container 82 containing the container is immersed, and the vibrator 84 is placed on the bottom of the container 80.
Is arranged, and the vibrator 84 is ultrasonically vibrated, and the vibration is transmitted to the chemical solution 83 in the container 82 via the water 81, and the chemical solution 83 is atomized. In FIG. 25, the ultrasonic mesh type spraying device
A lower portion 92 of a shaft body (double horn vibrator) 92 having a through hole 93 in the axial direction and having a vibrator 94 attached thereto.
a, a mesh member 95 having countless minute holes is arranged on the end face of the upper portion 92b, and the shaft 92 is vibrated by the ultrasonic vibration of the vibrator 94, whereby the chemical solution 91 is sucked up through the through hole 93, It is atomized by the member 95.

[0004]

However, the compressor type spraying device requires a compressor, and the ultrasonic cavitation type spraying device requires two containers 8.
Neither of them can be structurally miniaturized, such as requiring 0, 82, and all of the chemicals cannot be atomized, leaving a large amount of residual liquid.
Also, in the compressor type, a large power is required for driving the compressor, and in the ultrasonic cavitation type, the ultrasonic vibration is indirectly transmitted to the chemical solution 83 in the container 82 via the water 81, so that a large power is required. In each case, the power consumption increases. Further, in the compressor type, the particle size distribution of the atomized particles is widened, and it is difficult to obtain atomized particles having a uniform size. In the ultrasonic cavitation type, the medicinal component is denatured depending on the type of the chemical liquid 83. there is a possibility.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic mesh type spraying device solves the problems of the compressor type and the ultrasonic cavitation type, and can ensure low power, downsizing, stable chemical liquid spraying and uniform particle diameter. However, the mesh member 95 is likely to be clogged due to the fixation of the chemical solution,
Frequent care is required to prevent this. In addition, since the liquid supply between the end surface of the upper portion 92b of the shaft 92 and the mesh member 95 is performed in a delicate balance, when the balance is broken, the chemical liquid is supplied from the end surface of the upper portion 92b. The spray state becomes unstable due to leakage or an increase or decrease in the liquid supply amount.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has advantages of an ultrasonic mesh type spraying device (low power, downsizing, stable chemical spraying, uniform and fine particle size). It is an object of the present invention to provide a spraying device which has a simple and easy maintenance and can feed a liquid at a supply amount corresponding to the spray amount.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the spraying device of the present invention, a vibrator is attached to one end in the central axis direction, and the other end in the central axis direction is an atomizing surface. It is characterized by comprising a vibrator, a mesh member having countless minute holes arranged on the atomizing surface of the vibrator, and a liquid supply device for supplying liquid to the atomizing surface of the vibrator.

In this spraying device, in a single-horn type vibrator capable of obtaining a large vibration amplitude at a low frequency, when the vibrator vibrates with the vibration of the vibrator, that is, the vibration of the vibrator on one end side becomes different from the other in the center axis direction. When it propagates to the atomization surface on the end side and the atomization surface vibrates in the direction of the central axis, the mesh member arranged on the atomization surface of the vibrating body also vibrates similarly. Then, the liquid that has entered the gap between the mesh member and the atomization surface by the liquid supply device,
The atomization is immediately performed by the synergistic action of the mesh member vibrating in the central axis direction and the atomization surface.

Thus, according to the spraying device of the present invention,
Since a single-horn type vibrator with a large amplitude is used,
The liquid remaining in the fine holes of the mesh member can be completely blown off, and the problem of clogging of the mesh member is eliminated, and the maintenance can be simplified. In addition, it has the advantages of the ultrasonic mesh type spraying device, such as low power, miniaturization, stable chemical solution spraying, and uniform and fine particle size.

In the spraying apparatus of the present invention, the specific shape of the single-horn type vibrator is, for example, as shown in FIG.
10B, a step type as shown in FIG. 10B, and an exponential type as shown in FIG. 10C. As the material, use ceramic, stainless steel, titanium, etc.
It is produced by sintering ceramics or injection molding or cutting metal powder.

As a vibration source of a vibrator attached to the vibrator, a piezoelectric element made of PZT, lithium niobate or the like is used. The atomization surface of the single-horn type vibrator may be a flat surface, but by providing a concave portion that can store liquid on the atomization surface, excess liquid can be stored in the concave portion, so that more stable Can spray. It is sufficient that the concave portion can temporarily store the liquid, and there is no particular limitation on the planar shape or the cross-sectional shape. For example, the cross section may be curved in a semicircular shape, or the plane shape may be a lattice.

On the other hand, if a projection for holding the liquid is provided at the center of the atomization surface of the vibrating body at the outer periphery of the atomization surface, the liquid is prevented from concentrating on the center of the atomization surface, and the atomization is prevented. The liquid can be evenly distributed over the entire surface, a uniform fine particle size can be easily obtained, and the spray state can be further stabilized. The mesh member arranged on the atomizing surface of the vibrating body may be a normal one, but may be one made by molding a ceramic, one made by etching silicon, or one made by electroforming with a nickel base material. It may be something.

In the spraying device of the present invention, as described above, the amplitude of the vibrating body is large, so that clogging of the mesh member is unlikely to occur. If the mesh member can be displaced so that it is held in a non-contact state after the atomization is completed, the mesh member will stick to the atomization surface due to the residual liquid during non-atomization, or will break due to the adhesion. It also helps to prevent clogging. In addition, it is possible to prevent the mesh member from being damaged by an impact when the spray device is dropped.

On the other hand, if the liquid supply device controls the amount of liquid supplied to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body in accordance with the amount of spray, the balance between the amount of spray and the amount of supply, that is, the demand balance of the amount of liquid is kept constant. Therefore, a problem that the liquid supply amount is too large, the liquid leaks from the atomization surface, and the spray state becomes unstable due to the increase and decrease of the liquid amount does not occur. As a specific configuration, the liquid supply device is a liquid storage tank, one end of which is connected to the liquid storage tank, the other end of which is a liquid supply pipe adjacent to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and a flow path from one end to the other end. And a liquid supply means for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage tank to the flow path means.

In the liquid supply device, the liquid supply pipe of the flow path means is a nozzle having a tapered tip, and the liquid supply buffer section of the flow path means has an opening opening to the outside air, which is smaller than the fluid resistance of the nozzle. The flow path means is set so as to have a small fluid resistance, and the flow path means is arranged such that the opening of the liquid sending buffer section is at a position higher than the nozzle. With this configuration, the liquid sent from the liquid storage tank initially flows toward both the tip of the liquid supply pipe and the opening of the liquid supply buffer through the flow path means, but the liquid is supplied to the tip of the liquid supply pipe. When the liquid reaches, the subsequent liquid flows into the liquid supply buffer section, the liquid amount in the liquid supply buffer section increases, and the liquid does not leak from the tip of the liquid supply pipe.

Further, in the liquid supply device, the liquid supply buffer section of the flow path means has a filter at an opening thereof for preventing liquid from leaking outside, and the fluid resistance of the filter is higher than the fluid resistance of the nozzle. It is set to be smaller. In this case, the liquid does not leak to the outside from the opening of the liquid sending buffer unit, but the air passes through the filter. The liquid supply device controls the liquid supply amount according to the spray amount. Specifically, the liquid supply means supplies the liquid when a predetermined liquid amount is supplied into the liquid supply buffer section of the flow path means and the liquid supply pipe. The liquid is stopped, and liquid supply is started again when the liquid amount in the liquid supply buffer section and the liquid supply pipe decreases to a predetermined amount or less. Thereby, the balance between the liquid supply amount and the spray amount is kept constant.

The liquid feeding means stops the liquid feeding at a constant interval and at a constant rate, feeds at a constant flow rate, and detects when the liquid reaches the tip of the feed pipe. The detection may be performed by detecting the liquid level or the amount of liquid flowing into the vibrating body, or by detecting that the liquid is sent from the liquid supply pipe to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body to start spraying. Note that the detection may be performed by a normal sensor, and an example of the sensor is a photoelectric sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

The spraying may be started by electrically detecting an impedance change due to a liquid load applied to the vibrator. Further, the start of the re-sending of the liquid after the liquid-sending means stops the liquid-sending may be performed by detecting the liquid level or the liquid amount flowing into the liquid-sending buffer section.
Alternatively, the liquid sending means continuously performs the liquid sending by a predetermined amount, and the increase or decrease of the liquid amount in the flow path means due to the change of the spray amount is absorbed by the liquid amount flowing into and out of the liquid sending buffer unit. Is also good. In this case, if the spray amount increases, the increased amount of liquid is supplied to the atomization surface from the liquid supply buffer unit through the liquid supply pipe, and if the spray amount decreases, excess liquid is stored in the liquid supply buffer unit.

A specific configuration for controlling the liquid supply amount according to the spray amount is as follows. The liquid supply device includes a sensor for detecting the spray amount, and a liquid supply amount by the liquid sending means according to the spray amount detected by the sensor. And a liquid supply control unit for changing the pressure. By the way, the liquid supply means supplies the liquid in the liquid storage tank to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body from the tip of the liquid supply pipe through the flow path means, and the liquid supply is performed, for example, by causing a pressure change in the liquid storage tank. Will be Specific examples of the pressure change include sending air into the storage tank, changing the capacity of the storage tank, or changing the temperature in the storage tank.
Alternatively, the liquid may be sent by opening a part of the liquid storage tank to the outside air. In this case, for example, an air flow path communicating with the outside is provided in the liquid storage tank, a valve is attached to this air flow path, and the internal pressure of the liquid storage tank is made equal to the external pressure by opening and closing the valve.

On the other hand, if the liquid storage tank, the flow path means, the liquid supply pipe and the liquid supply means which constitute the liquid supply device are detachably mounted, maintenance such as cleaning, disinfection, and replacement of parts becomes easy. Further, it is preferable that the liquid supply pipe of the channel means is made of a synthetic resin, and the end thereof is covered with a metal protective member. This is because the protective member can prevent the tip of the liquid supply pipe from being damaged by frictional heat caused by ultrasonic vibration.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an external view of a spray device according to the embodiment. This spraying device includes a main body 1 having a shape as shown in the figure, and a head 2 provided on the main body 1. A power switch 3 is provided on the front side of the main body 1, and a power supply described later is provided on the rear side of the head 2. The liquid storage tank 21 of the liquid means 20 is arranged, the spray port 18 is provided on the front side, and the filter 33 of the liquid sending buffer section 32 appears near the center.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of a main part relating to spraying of the spraying apparatus. In the spraying device, a vibrator (single horn type vibrator) 10 having a vibrator 11 attached to one end in the central axis direction and an atomizing surface at the other end in the central axis direction, and atomization of the vibrator 10 The vibrating body 10 includes a mesh member 15 having a myriad of small holes arranged on a surface thereof, and a liquid supply device 20 for supplying a liquid to an atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10. The mesh member 15
Coiled spring 16 held by mesh member retainer 17
Accordingly, the vibrating body 10 is pressed so as to lightly contact the atomized surface.

The liquid supply device 20 includes a liquid storage tank 21 for storing a chemical solution, and a liquid supply pipe 31 having one end connected to the liquid storage tank 21 and the other end adjacent to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10. Flow path means 30 having a liquid sending buffer section 32 provided in the middle of a flow path to the other end and opened to the outside air;
Liquid sending means 4 for sending the chemical solution in liquid storage tank 21 to flow path means 30
0.

Although the liquid supply pipe 31 of the flow path means 30 is shown here as a pipe having a fixed thickness, it is preferable that the tip shown below is a tapered nozzle. The distal end of the liquid supply pipe 31 is lightly in contact with the atomized surface or side surface of the vibrating body 10, and the ultrasonic vibration of the vibrating body 10 causes the liquid supply pipe 3.
The chemical liquid is supplied to the atomization surface from the front end of the nozzle 1. Of course, the liquid supply pipe 31 is preferably made of a synthetic resin, and the tip is preferably covered with a metal protection member for the above reason.

The liquid sending buffer section 32 has a filter 33 for preventing leakage of the chemical solution to the outside through an opening opening to the outside air.
And the fluid resistance of the filter 33 is
Is set to be smaller than the fluid resistance. The filter 33 does not allow a chemical solution to pass, but allows air to pass. When the liquid supply system is incorporated in the main body 1 of the spray device, the opening of the liquid supply buffer 32 is connected to the liquid supply pipe 3.
The flow path means 30 is arranged at a position higher than one.

The liquid feeding means 40 includes a motor 41 and a motor 4
It comprises a screw gear 42 attached to one rotation shaft, a shaft-shaped screw gear 43 meshed with the screw gear 42, and a pressing lever 44 movably meshed with the screw gear 43. Therefore, when the screw gear 43 rotates with the operation of the motor 41, the pressing lever 4
4 moves along the screw gear 43 and the liquid storage tank 2
1 is pressed, and the inside chemical solution is supplied to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10 from the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 through the flow path means 30. The amount of displacement of the presser lever 44 (the amount of rotation of the motor 41) is controlled such that a liquid supply amount corresponding to the spray amount is obtained as described later.

Further, in FIG. 2, a level sensor 50 for detecting the liquid level (or liquid amount) of the liquid supply buffer section 32 is arranged, and also, it is detected whether or not the liquid supply pipe 31 has a chemical liquid. Liquid detection sensor 51 is disposed. FIGS. 3 to 5 show the operation of the spray device configured as described above.
This will be described with reference to FIG. However, in FIGS.
An oscillation circuit 54 for ultrasonically vibrating the vibrator 11 of zero, and a control circuit (liquid supply control unit) 55 for controlling spraying by the vibration of the vibrator 11 and liquid feeding by the motor 41 at a timing.
Are shown. First, the liquid storage tank 21 is set on the head 2 of the main body 1 of the spray device (see FIG. 3A).
Next, the motor 41 is operated, and the presser lever 44 pushes the liquid storage tank 21 so that a certain amount of the chemical liquid L is stored in the liquid storage tank 2.
1 flows into the flow path means 30 and reaches the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 (see FIG. 3B). When the chemical liquid L is sent to the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 and a certain amount of the chemical liquid L is supplied from the liquid storage tank 21, the chemical liquid L flows into the liquid sending buffer unit 32, and reaches a certain height. The liquid level is raised, and the liquid medicine L is stored in the liquid sending buffer section 32 (see FIG. 4A).

Thereafter, the vibrator 10 is vibrated by the vibrator 11, and the chemical solution L stored in the liquid sending buffer 32 is supplied to the atomizing surface of the vibrator 10 from the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31. And the mesh member 15 act synergistically,
The chemical liquid L is atomized by the mesh member 15, and the spray is
It is released from the main body 1 of the spraying device through 8 (see FIG. 4 (b)). When a certain amount of liquid is supplied, the motor 41
Operation stops. Around the time when the liquid L in the liquid sending buffer 32 is exhausted, a predetermined amount of the liquid L is supplied from the liquid storage tank 21 by the operation of the motor 41 again.
(See FIG. 5). By repeating such an operation, spraying is continuously performed.

In this spraying operation, the liquid sending buffer 3
The operation of No. 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. However, here, the liquid supply pipe 31 is a nozzle having a tapered tip, and the mesh member 15 is held by the mesh member receiver 19. In FIG. 6, when the spray amount is large, the chemical liquid L in the liquid sending buffer unit 32 is atomized in a large amount, so that the amount of liquid accumulated in the liquid sending buffer unit 32 decreases. On the other hand, in FIG. 7, when the spray amount is small, the chemical liquid L in the liquid sending buffer 32 is slightly atomized, so that the amount of liquid accumulated in the liquid sending buffer 32 increases. Therefore, since the liquid sending buffer unit 32 exhibits an action of absorbing an increase and a decrease in the chemical liquid L due to a change in the spray amount, even if the spray amount differs depending on the type of the chemical liquid L, the amount of the chemical liquid that follows the spray amount vibrates. It is reliably supplied to the atomizing surface of the body 10.

The spraying device of the above embodiment is an example, and various changes can be made. Next, a modification example of each unit will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 8, before the start of spraying, a certain amount of the chemical liquid L is initially supplied to the liquid supply pipe 31.
After being sent to the front end, the next certain amount of the chemical solution L is stored in the solution sending buffer unit 32. When spraying is started, the liquid medicine L in the liquid sending buffer section 32 is supplied to the vibrating body 1 through the liquid supply pipe 31.
0 is supplied to the atomizing surface.

Instead of the form of the flow path means 30, as shown in FIG. 9A, the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 of the flow path means 30 opened to the atmosphere is sprayed from above onto the atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10. May be contacted. In this case, since the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 is tapered, even if the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 faces downward,
The chemical does not spill due to surface tension. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, the vibrating body 10 may be turned sideways, and the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 of the flow path means 30 opened to the atmosphere may contact the side surface of the vibrating body 10 from below. In this case, when the vibrating body 10 ultrasonically vibrates, the chemical liquid flows out to the atomization surface due to the vibration energy.

The single-horn type vibrating body 10 is shown in FIG.
The conical vibrating body 10A is a conical vibrating body 10A as shown in FIG. 0 (a), and includes a conical portion 10a 'and a circular portion 10 provided integrally at the apex of the conical portion 10a'.
a ", and the upper surface of the circular portion 10a"
The circular vibrator 11 is attached to the bottom of the conical portion 10a '.

As another form, a step-horn type vibrating body 10B shown in FIG. 10B has a large cylindrical portion 10b 'and a small cylindrical portion 10b "provided at the center of this portion 10b'. The cylindrical portion 10
A circular vibrator 11 is attached to the bottom surface of b ', and the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 10b "becomes the atomizing surface 10c.
(C) Exponential type vibrating body 10C
Consists of only a conical part.

A single-horn type vibrator 1 shown in FIG.
0 (A to C), the vibrator 11 is attached to one end in the central axis direction, and the other end in the central axis direction is the atomizing surface 10.
The amplitude in the central axis direction is larger than that of the double-horn type vibrating body, and vibration with a large amplitude at a low frequency can be obtained. The atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10 may be a flat surface, or a concave portion capable of storing liquid may be provided on the atomizing surface.
Further, a convex portion for holding the liquid may be provided at the center of the atomization surface of the vibrating body 10 at the outer periphery of the atomization surface. An example of this is shown in FIG.
Shown in In FIG. 11A, a circular recess 12 is provided at the center of the atomizing surface 10c of the conical vibrating body 10A. In this case, of the chemical solution supplied to the atomization surface,
Since the excess chemical liquid is accumulated in the concave portion 12, the spray is stably performed. In FIG. 11B, a circular convex portion 13 is provided at the center of the atomization surface 10c. By this convex part 13,
The chemical liquid is evenly distributed over the entire ring-shaped atomizing surface 10c, so that a uniform fine particle diameter is easily obtained, and the spray state is further stabilized. FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) show concave portions 1 on the atomizing surface 10c of the step type vibrating body 10B.
2 shows an embodiment in which the projections 2 and the projections 13 are provided. Of course, the same operation and effect can be obtained.

The mesh member 15 may be kept in contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10 at all times, or may be brought into contact only during spraying. FIG. 13 shows the spraying action in this case. Here, the mesh member receiver 19 can move up and down.
First, before the start of spraying shown in FIG. 13A, the mesh member receiver 19 is lowered, and the mesh member 15 is in contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10 by the spring 16. At the time of spraying in FIG. 13B, the chemical is supplied to the atomization surface from the liquid supply pipe 31 and atomized by the mesh member 15. After the spraying of FIG. 13C, the mesh member receiver 19 rises,
The mesh member 15 moves away from the atomization surface. This prevents the mesh member 15 from sticking to the atomized surface due to the residual liquid during non-atomization, and does not break due to the adhesion, which further helps to prevent clogging. Moreover, the mesh member 15 caused by the impact when the spray device is dropped should be used.
Can be prevented from being damaged.

The vibrating body 10 and the flow path means 30 may be incorporated in the main body 1 of the spraying device in a horizontal direction, or may be arranged inclined as shown in FIG. In this case, the flow path means 3
Since the chemical liquid L in 0 easily flows to the tip of the liquid supply pipe 31 due to its own weight, the chemical liquid does not remain in the flow path means 30. For this reason, when the spraying device is not used for a long period of time, there is no possibility that the residual liquid in the flow path means 30 will adhere to the flow path wall.

On the other hand, as is clear from the above description, the liquid feeding by the liquid feeding means is not performed continuously, but stops after the chemical solution is stored in the liquid sending buffer unit 32. The control for stopping the liquid supply will be described with reference to FIGS.
15 to 17 show a case where the liquid supply amount by the liquid supply means 40 is changed according to the spray amount detected by the sensor. In FIG. 15, a liquid detection sensor 51 that detects whether or not there is a chemical liquid in the liquid supply pipe 31 is provided.
The signal of the liquid detection sensor 51 is input to the control circuit 55, and the operation of the motor 41 is controlled. That is, when it is detected that the liquid medicine is present in the liquid supply pipe 31, the liquid supply is stopped.

In FIG. 16, a level sensor 50 for detecting the liquid level or the liquid amount of the liquid sending buffer section 32 is provided, and the signal of the level sensor 50 is input to the control circuit 55 to control the motor 41. That is, when receiving the liquid level detection signal from the level sensor 50, the control circuit 55 determines that a certain amount of the chemical liquid has accumulated in the liquid supply buffer unit 32, and stops the liquid supply. Note that the liquid level may be detected instead of the liquid level detection. For example, the relationship between the liquid level and the liquid amount may be determined in advance from the cross-sectional area of the liquid sending buffer unit 32.

In FIG. 17, the amount of the chemical on the atomized surface is changed
Is detected by the control circuit 55 based on a change in the amount of current flowing through the vibrating body 10 or a change in the voltage applied to the vibrating body 10, and it is detected that the chemical liquid is sent from the liquid supply pipe 31 to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body 10 and spraying is started. And the control circuit 55 controls the motor 4
Control 1 FIG. 18 shows the level sensor 5 shown in FIG.
FIG. 18 schematically shows an example of a behavior at the time of detecting the liquid level (or liquid amount) of 0. In FIG. 18A, while the level sensor 50 is detecting the liquid level in the liquid sending buffer unit 32, While the liquid supply from the liquid storage tank 21 is stopped,
The chemical liquid L stored in the vibrating body 10 is
Is supplied to the atomizing surface. When the atomization is performed and the amount of the liquid L in the liquid sending buffer 32 decreases, and the level sensor 50 stops detecting the liquid level, the liquid feeding from the storage tank 21 starts, and the liquid L is transferred from the liquid sending buffer 32. It is stored in. As is clear from this, the increase or decrease in the liquid amount in the flow path means 30 due to the change in the spray amount is absorbed by the liquid amount flowing into or out of the liquid sending buffer unit 32.

Next, various examples of the liquid feeding means 40 will be described. The liquid feeding means 40 in the above embodiment is composed of a motor 41, a screw gear 43, a holding lever 44, and the like. If the liquid L in the storage tank 21 can flow into the flow path means 30, any liquid feeding means 40 can be used. Such a form may be used. For this purpose, for example, as shown in FIG. 19 (a), the liquid storage means 21A is disposed obliquely with the outflow port on the lower side, and a diaphragm 60 is stretched over a part of the liquid storage tank 21. The diaphragm 60 is pressed by a shaft 61 a driven by an air pump 61, and the liquid is sent by changing the pressure in the liquid storage tank 21. However, although the diaphragm 60 may be directly pressed by the shaft 61a,
Here, it is performed via the holding member 62 and the protection member 63.

In the liquid feeding means 40B shown in FIG. 19B, the air tank 64 is connected to the liquid storage tank 21 by the semi-permeable filter 6.
The liquid is sent by pushing the diaphragm 66 stretched over a part of the air tank 64 and sending the air in the air tank 64 through the semi-permeable filter 65 into the liquid storage tank 21. The translucent filter 65 in this case is
It has a property of allowing air to pass through but not liquid, and uses, for example, Gore-Tex (trade name). The air tank 64 is provided with a valve 67 for keeping the internal pressure constant.

In the liquid feeding means 40C shown in FIG. 20A, a cylindrical liquid storage tank 21 'is used and the motor 6
8, another gear 70 meshes with a pinion gear 69, and a piston 72 is attached to an end of a screw gear 71 that meshes with the center of the gear 70 and moves by rotation of the gear 70.
The liquid is sent by changing the capacity of the liquid storage tank 21 'by the movement of the piston 72.

In the liquid sending means 40D of FIG. 20B, another tank 73 containing water or the like is integrally provided in the liquid storage tank 21 ", a heater 74 is attached to the tank 73, and the liquid storage tank 21" A film 75 is placed on the boundary between the tank and the tank 73, the water in the tank 73 is heated by the heater 74, and the temperature of the water is changed to indirectly change the temperature of the chemical in the storage tank 21 ″. The liquid is applied, and bubbles 76 are generated by heating by the heater 74.

Alternatively, in the liquid feeding means 40E shown in FIG. 21, a pipe 77 as an air flow passage leading to the outside air is connected to the liquid storage tank 21.
And a valve 7 for opening and closing the flow passage in the pipe 77
8 is provided, and the opening and closing of the flow path of the pipe 77 is adjusted by the valve 78 to open the liquid storage tank 21 to the outside air, thereby performing liquid sending. In this case, the liquid medicine L in the liquid storage tank 21 flows out by its own weight when the outside air is released.

By the way, in the main body 1 of the spraying device, in particular, the liquid storage tank 21 and the channel means 30, which constitute the liquid supply device,
Liquid supply pipe 31, liquid supply means 40 and mesh member presser 1
Although FIG. 7 has an assembly structure as shown in FIG. 22, if those components are detachable as shown in FIG. 23, maintenance such as cleaning, disinfection, and replacement of parts becomes easy.

[0046]

As described above, according to the spraying device of the present invention, since the single-horn type vibrator having a larger amplitude than the double-horn type is used, the liquid remaining in the fine holes of the mesh member can be completely removed. The mesh member can be skipped, and the problem of clogging of the mesh member is eliminated, and the maintenance can be simplified. In addition, it has the advantages of the ultrasonic mesh type spraying device, such as low power, miniaturization, stable chemical solution spraying, and uniform and fine particle size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a spray device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part related to spraying of the spraying device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part for describing a spraying action of the spraying device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part for describing a spraying action following FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a main part for explaining a spraying action following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of a liquid sending buffer unit in a spraying operation of the spraying device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the liquid sending buffer unit following FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a form of a flow path unit in the spraying device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (a) for explaining another embodiment of the flow channel means in the spray device, and a diagram (b) for explaining another embodiment.

10A is a diagram illustrating a single-horn type vibrator in the spray device, FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment, and FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating another embodiment.

11A is a diagram illustrating a form example of the atomization surface of the vibrating body having the form illustrated in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating another form example;

12A is a diagram illustrating an example of the atomization surface of the vibrating body having the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10B, and FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a positional relationship between a mesh member and a vibrating body during spraying and during non-spraying in the spraying device.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an arrangement of a vibrating body and a flow path unit in the spraying device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of control for stopping liquid feeding in the spray device.

FIG. 16 is a view showing another example of the control for stopping the liquid supply in the spraying device.

FIG. 17 is a view showing still another example of the control for stopping the liquid feeding in the spraying device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a behavior at the time of detecting the liquid level (or liquid amount) of the level sensor in the control of the liquid feeding stop shown in FIG. 16, and while the level sensor is detecting the liquid level. It is a figure (a) which shows a behavior, and a figure (b) which shows a behavior when a liquid level is not detected.

FIG. 19 is a diagram (a) showing one embodiment of a liquid sending means in the spray device, and FIG. 19 (b) is a diagram showing another embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the liquid feeding means in the spray device, and FIG. 20B is a diagram showing another embodiment of the liquid sending means.
It is.

FIG. 21 is a view showing still another embodiment of the liquid sending means in the spray device.

FIG. 22 is a view showing an assembling structure of a liquid storage tank, a flow path unit, a liquid supply pipe, and a liquid supply unit of the liquid supply device in the spray device.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view when the components shown in FIG. 22 are made detachable.

FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an ultrasonic cavitation type spraying device according to a conventional example.

FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an ultrasonic mesh type spraying device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Single horn type vibrating body 10c Atomization surface 11 Vibrator 12 Concave part 13 Convex part 15 Mesh member 20 Liquid supply device 21 Liquid storage tank 30 Flow path means 31 Liquid supply pipe 32 Liquid supply buffer part 33 Filter 40 Liquid supply means 50, 51 Sensor L Chemical

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masato Arai 24 Oyama-no-Yamanoshitacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi Omron Life Science Laboratory Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 4D074 AA10 BB03 DD03 DD09 DD33 DD37 DD48 DD55 DD64

Claims (27)

[Claims] A vibrator is attached to one end in the direction of the central axis, and the other end in the direction of the central axis is an atomizing surface; and a myriad of minute holes arranged on the atomizing surface of the vibrating member. And a liquid supply device for supplying a liquid to an atomizing surface of the vibrating body. 2. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating body is provided with a recess capable of storing a liquid on an atomizing surface thereof. 3. The spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating body is provided with a convex portion for holding a liquid on an outer peripheral portion of the atomizing surface at a central portion of the atomizing surface. 4. The spray device according to claim 1, wherein the mesh member is made of ceramic. 5. The spray device according to claim 4, wherein said mesh member is made by molding a ceramic. 6. The mesh member is made of silicon,
4. The spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the spraying device is manufactured by etching silicon. 7. The spray device according to claim 1, wherein said mesh member is made by electroforming using nickel as a base material. 8. The mesh member is displaceable such that the mesh member is held in a semi-contact state with respect to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body during atomization, and is held in a non-contact state after atomization is completed. The spraying device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, or 7. 9. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of liquid supplied to the atomizing surface of the vibrating body is controlled in accordance with the amount of spray. The spraying device according to claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 7 or claim 8. 10. A liquid supply device, comprising: a liquid storage tank, a liquid supply pipe having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and the other end adjacent to an atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and a flow extending from one end to the other end. The liquid supply device according to claim 9, further comprising a flow path unit provided in the middle of the path and having a liquid transfer buffer unit opened to the outside air, and a liquid transfer unit that sends the liquid in the storage tank to the flow path unit. Spray device. 11. A liquid supply pipe of the flow path means is a nozzle having a tapered end, and a liquid supply buffer section of the flow path means has a fluid opening whose opening to the outside air is smaller than the fluid resistance of the nozzle. The spraying device according to claim 10, wherein the spraying device is set to have a resistance, and the flow path means is arranged such that an opening of the liquid sending buffer is located at a position higher than a nozzle. 12. The liquid supply buffer section of the flow path means has a filter at an opening thereof for preventing liquid from leaking to the outside, so that the fluid resistance of the filter is smaller than the fluid resistance of the nozzle. The spray device according to claim 11, wherein the setting is performed. 13. The liquid supply means stops liquid supply when a predetermined amount of liquid is supplied to the liquid supply buffer section and the liquid supply pipe of the flow path means, and stops the liquid supply in the liquid supply buffer section and the liquid supply pipe. 13. The spraying device according to claim 11, wherein the liquid supply is started again when the liquid amount is reduced to a predetermined amount or less. 14. The spraying apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the stopping of the liquid supply by said liquid supply means is performed by detecting that the liquid has reached the tip of the liquid supply pipe. 15. The spraying apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the stopping of the liquid supply by said liquid supply means is performed by detecting a liquid level or a liquid amount of the liquid flowing into the liquid supply buffer section. 16. The liquid supply device according to claim 13, wherein the liquid supply is stopped by detecting that the liquid has been supplied from the liquid supply pipe to the atomizing surface of the vibrator and spraying has started. Spraying equipment. 17. The spraying apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spraying is started by electrically detecting an impedance change due to a liquid load applied to the vibrating body. 18. The spraying apparatus according to claim 13, wherein re-feeding after the feeding of said feeding means is stopped is performed by detecting a liquid level or a liquid amount flowing into said feeding buffer section. . 19. The liquid supply means continuously performs liquid supply by a predetermined amount, and an increase or decrease in the liquid amount in the flow path means due to a change in the spray amount is absorbed by the liquid amount flowing into or out of the liquid supply buffer section. The spray device according to claim 11, wherein 20. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor for detecting a spray amount, and a liquid supply control unit for changing a liquid supply amount by a liquid feeding unit according to the spray amount detected by the sensor. The spraying device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, or 8. 21. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is supplied by causing a pressure change in the liquid storage tank.
0, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 13, Claim 1
4. Claim 15, Claim 16, Claim 17, Claim 1
The spray device according to claim 19, 20 or 21. 22. The spraying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said pressure change is performed by sending air into a liquid storage tank. 23. The spraying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said pressure change is performed by changing a capacity of a liquid storage tank. 24. The spraying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said pressure change is performed by changing a temperature in a liquid storage tank. 25. The liquid supply device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid supply means performs liquid supply by opening a part of the liquid storage tank to outside air. The spray device according to claim 14, claim 15, claim 16, claim 17, claim 18, claim 19, or claim 20. 26. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the liquid storage tank, the flow path means, the liquid supply pipe, and the liquid supply means are each detachably mounted.
2, Claim 13, Claim 14, Claim 15, Claim 1
6, Claim 17, Claim 18, Claim 19, Claim 2
0, Claim 21, Claim 22, Claim 23, Claim 24
Or the spraying device according to claim 25. 27. The liquid supply pipe of the flow path means is made of synthetic resin, and the tip is covered with a metal protection member.
2, Claim 13, Claim 14, Claim 15, Claim 1
6, Claim 17, Claim 18, Claim 19, Claim 2
0, Claim 21, Claim 22, Claim 23, Claim 2
A spraying device according to claim 25 or claim 26.