JP2001149833A - Atomizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive atomizing device not requiring any maintenance while retaining the advantages (low power, small size, stabilized atomizing for a chemical liquid and uniform and fine particle diameters) of the atomizing device of an ultrasonic wave mesh type. SOLUTION: An atomizing device is provided with a vibration body 1 with a plane atomizing end face 13, a vibrator 2 installed on the vibration body 1 and vertically vibrating the vibration body 1 to the atomizing end face 13 and an annular liquid film forming member 3 facing the whole of the periphery of the atomizing end face 13 of the vibration body 1 with its inner end so actuated as to be brought into contact with the atomizing end face 13. A chemical liquid 10 fed into a space between the liquid film forming member 3 and the atomizing end face 13 by a nozzle 5 is made to flow into the film shape on a part of the atomizing end face 13 inside the space by the ultrasonic wave vibration of the vibration body 1 and the liquid film forming member 3.

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, there are an ultrasonic cavitation type as shown in FIG. 10 and an ultrasonic mesh type as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic cavitation type spraying device shown in FIG.
1 is immersed in a container 82 containing a chemical solution 83, a vibrator 84 is disposed at the bottom of the container 80, and the vibrator 84 is ultrasonically vibrated. To atomize the chemical liquid 83.

An ultrasonic mesh type spraying device shown in FIG. 11 has a lower portion 92a of a shaft (horn) 92 having a through hole 93 in the axial direction and a vibrator 94 attached to a chemical solution 91 placed in a container 90. And a mesh member 95 having innumerable micro 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, and the mesh member It is to atomize at 95.

FIG. 1 shows another ultrasonic atomizer.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plate-shaped vibrator 111 made of a piezoelectric material
A pair of comb-shaped electrodes 112 is formed thereon, and the comb-shaped electrodes 11
A cover 114 is formed by applying a high-frequency signal from a high-frequency power supply 118 to the surface 2 to generate a surface acoustic wave, and also forming a slit 115 disposed with a gap with the vibrator 111.
In some cases, the liquid is supplied to the gap from the liquid supply port 117 via the tube 116, and the liquid is atomized by a surface acoustic wave (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-232114).

[0005]

However, in the ultrasonic cavitation type spraying device, two containers 80,
For example, it is not possible to structurally reduce the size of the chemical liquid 83, for example, and it is not possible to atomize all the chemical liquids 83, and the amount of residual liquid is large. Further, since the ultrasonic vibration is indirectly transmitted to the chemical solution 83 in the container 82 via the water 81, a large power is required, and the power consumption is increased. Further, depending on the type of the chemical solution 83, the medicinal component may be denatured.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic mesh type spraying device solves the problems of the ultrasonic cavitation type, and can ensure low power, downsizing, stable chemical liquid spraying, and uniform particle diameter. However, since the particle diameter at the time of spraying depends on the pore diameter of the mesh member 95, not only it is necessary to make the pore diameter fine, but also the mesh member 95 is liable to be clogged due to fixation of the chemical solution, and frequent care is required. I do.

For spraying without a mesh member,
A horn system driven at a high frequency (1 MHz or more) is also an effective means, but has the following problems. That is, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
When the mesh member is not provided on the atomization end face of 0, it is necessary to increase the vibration amplitude in order to secure the spray amount, but since the vibration amplitude at the center of the atomization end face becomes large, The chemicals gather in the center, and the collected chemicals collide with each other, and then scatter as large particles, causing large particles to be mixed with the fine particles, thereby expanding the distribution range of the particle diameter. And it becomes difficult to achieve uniform atomization.

Further, in the atomizer using the surface acoustic wave, the electrode section for generating vibration and the atomization section are in different areas.
It requires space and is limited in miniaturization. In addition, since the electrodes are formed on the piezoelectric element, there is a problem that a product is expensive. The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has the advantages (low power, small size, stable chemical liquid spray, uniform and fine particle diameter) of the ultrasonic mesh type spray device. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive spraying device that does not require maintenance.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a spraying device according to the present invention comprises: a vibrating body having a flat atomizing end face; and a vibrating body attached to the vibrating body and connecting the vibrating body to the atomizing end face. A vibrator that vibrates vertically, and is urged so as to face at least partially around the atomization end face of the vibrating body and to lightly contact the inside end with the atomization end face, and vibrate according to the vibration of the vibrating body. A thin liquid film forming member for causing the liquid supplied to the gap between the atomizing end face and the liquid to flow out in a thin film onto the atomizing end face portion inside the gap in synchronization with the vibration; and Liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to a gap between the film forming member and the atomizing end face;

In this spraying device, when the vibrator vibrates perpendicularly to the atomization end face with the vibration of the vibrator, the liquid film forming member whose inner end lightly contacts the atomization end face of the vibrator also vibrates similarly. In this case, since the liquid film forming member vibrates more on the outer side than on the inner end, the liquid film forming member acts to push the liquid into the atomization end surface. Also, due to the vibration, the contact portion at the inner end of the liquid forming member also comes into contact with or separates from the atomization end face, so that the liquid is pushed out inward in synchronization with the vibration by a kind of pump action or cylinder action, and the gap is formed. It flows out in the form of a thin film on the inner side of the atomized end face. The liquid film formed on the atomization end face is immediately atomized by the vibration of the atomization end face.

Thus, according to the spraying device of the present invention,
Since the liquid is widely and uniformly distributed thinly on the atomization end face without using the mesh member and atomized, no troublesome care for preventing clogging like a mesh member is required. Moreover, since the liquid film forming member has the same spraying action as the mesh member, low power, downsizing, stable chemical liquid spraying, and uniform and fine particle diameter can be realized.

In the spraying device of the present invention, the shape and number of the liquid film forming member whose inner end is in contact with the atomizing end face are not limited as long as they face at least partially around the atomizing end face of the vibrating body. . For example, the planar shape of the liquid film forming member may be a ring shape facing the entire periphery of the atomization end face, or a rectangular shape partially facing the periphery of the atomization end face. The number is one in the case of a ring shape, but may be one in the case of a rectangular shape, or two or three or more may be arranged at intervals around the atomization end face. Further, the liquid film forming member may have a linear cross section, but may have a cross section whose inner edge is in contact with the atomization end face of the vibrating body and whose outer edge is positioned with a gap from the atomization end face. The liquid film forming member may be made of metal or ceramic.

The liquid film forming member has a planar shape as described above,
Various forms may be adopted by combining the number and the cross-sectional shape. However, especially the planar shape is a ring shape,
If one liquid film forming member having the above-described cross-sectional shape (inner edge contact / outer edge separation) is used, the number of parts is reduced, and the liquid is sprayed on the atomized end face portion inside the circular inner edge of the liquid film forming member. As a result, the liquid film is uniformly discharged to form a liquid film, so that the atomization efficiency is improved, which is a preferable embodiment.

On the other hand, the vibrator to be attached to the vibrator may be attached to any part other than the atomization end face of the vibrator, but in order to efficiently transmit the vibration of the vibrator to the atomization end face,
It is preferable to attach to the end face opposite to the atomization end face. As the vibrator, a piezoelectric element made of PZT or lithium niobate is used. The shape of the vibrator may be a conical type as shown in FIG. 3 or a step type as shown in FIG. The vibrating body having such a shape is made of metal or ceramic, and is manufactured by sintering, injection molding of material powder, or the like.

Further, the spraying device of the present invention comprises a vibrator having a flat atomizing end face, a vibrator attached to the vibrating body and vibrating the vibrating body perpendicular to the atomizing end face, The liquid which is urged to face the periphery of the atomization end face and lightly contact the atomization end face, vibrates according to the vibration of the vibrating body, and supplies the liquid supplied to the gap between the atomization end face and the vibrating body. A thin plate ring-shaped liquid film forming member that flows out in a thin film onto the atomization end face portion inside the gap in synchronization with the air supply, and supplies the liquid to the gap between the liquid film formation member and the atomization end face. And a liquid supply means.

In this spraying device, the atomizing end face of the vibrating body and the flat thin ring-shaped liquid film forming member face each other at a minute distance. When the liquid is injected into the facing gap, the liquid is extruded from the gap toward the inside of the atomization end face in synchronization with the vibration by the vertical vibration of the vibrating body and the liquid film forming member, and the liquid is atomized. It can be distributed uniformly and thinly on the end face.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a spray device according to the embodiment. The spray device includes a conical vibrator 1 having a flat atomizing end face 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), a circular vibrator 2 attached to the vibrator 1, and a vibrator 1
A ring-shaped liquid film forming member 3 disposed on the atomizing end surface 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and a coil spring 4 for urging the liquid film forming member 3 to lightly contact the atomizing end surface. Liquid (chemical solution) 1 in the gap between the liquid film forming member 3 and the atomization end face.
A nozzle (liquid supply means) 5 for supplying 0.

The conical vibrator 1 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, a perspective view, FIG. 3 (a) a front view, and FIG. 3 (b) a plan view (top view). The vibrating body 1 shown here comprises a conical portion 11 and a circular portion 12 integrally provided at the apex of the conical portion 11.
The upper surface of 2 is the atomization end surface 13. On the other hand, a circular vibrator 2 is attached to the bottom surface of the conical portion 11. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the vibrator 2 is connected to a circuit board inside the housing 7 of the spraying device via a lead wire.

The ring-shaped liquid film forming member 3 disposed on the atomizing end face 13 of the vibrating body 1 faces the entire periphery of the circular atomizing end face 13 and atomizes from the inside of the liquid film forming member 3. The end face 13 partially appears. The liquid film forming member 3 is
The inner peripheral edge 3 a has a sectional shape in contact with the atomization end face 13, and the outer peripheral edge 3 b is located with a gap from the atomization end face 13.
The inner peripheral edge 3a is urged by the coil spring 4 so as to lightly contact the atomizing end face 13.

One end of the coil spring 4 has the liquid film forming member 3.
And the other end is engaged with the spring holding step 61 of the spray port 6 detachably attached to the housing 7, and attaches the liquid film forming member 3 to the atomization end face 13 with an appropriate force. Energize. The spray port 6 is fixed to the housing 7 by, for example, screwing, and has a passage 62 for guiding the spray to the outside. Chemical solution 10 supplied to a gap between liquid film forming member 3 and atomizing end face 13
Is supplied by the nozzle 5 whose tip is located in the gap.
Although not shown in the drawings, the nozzle 5 communicates with a chemical tank.

In the spraying device thus configured, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the vibrating body 1 is vibrating due to the ultrasonic vibration of the vibrator 2, the chemical 10
Is supplied to the gap between the atomizing end face 13 of the vibrating body 1 and the liquid film forming member 3 through the nozzle 5. When the chemical solution 10 is supplied to the gap, it spreads over the entire annular gap due to its surface tension (see FIG. 4B). Since the inner peripheral edge 3a of the ring-shaped liquid film forming member 3 is in light contact with the atomizing end face 13, the liquid film forming member 3 also vibrates at the same frequency with the vibration of the vibrating body 1. Due to the vibration of the liquid film forming member 3, the chemical solution 10 in the gap is a part of the atomized end face 13 inside the gap from the contact portion at the inner end of the liquid film forming member 3 (a part that appears from the inside of the liquid film forming member 3) It flows out widely and uniformly in a thin film. The liquid film formed on the atomization end face 13 is immediately atomized by the ultrasonic vibration of the atomization end face 13 (see FIG. 4C).
The generated spray is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the passage 62 of the spray port 6 shown in FIG.

According to this spraying device, the liquid film forming member 3 is a mere thin plate, and is different from a mesh member having a myriad of fine holes. Therefore, troublesome care for preventing clogging like a mesh member is not required. Not required at all. Moreover, since the liquid film forming member 3 has the same spraying action as the mesh member, low power, downsizing, stable chemical liquid spraying, and uniform and fine particle diameter can be realized.

In the spraying device of the above embodiment, the vibrating body 1 is of a conical type, but may be of a step type as shown in FIG. The vibrating body 1 in this case includes a large cylindrical portion 15 and a small cylindrical portion 16 provided at the center of the portion 15. The circular vibrator 2 is attached to the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 15, and the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 16 becomes the atomization end surface 13.

In the above-described spraying device, the ring-shaped liquid film forming member 3 has a cross-sectional shape in which the inner peripheral edge 3a is in contact with the atomization end face 13 and the outer peripheral edge 3b is located with a gap from the atomization end face 13. As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid film forming member 3 has a ring shape in plan view, but the inner peripheral edge 3a to the outer peripheral edge 3b are parallel to the atomization end face 13 and the inner peripheral edge It may be bent downward at 3a, and only the tip of the bent portion may lightly contact the atomization end face 13.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the liquid film forming operation of the liquid film forming member 3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 will be described in detail. The circular part (vibrating part) 12 of the vibrating body 1 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, the vibration is perpendicular to the atomization end face 13, and a standing wave (constant pressure wave) is generated on the atomization end face 13 by the vibration. Now, in FIG. 3, when the liquid is supplied to the gap between the liquid film forming member 3 and the atomizing end face 13 of the circular portion 12 (see FIG. 7B), the liquid film forming member Numeral 3 vibrates in response to the vibration of the circular portion 12, and since the outer peripheral edge 3b vibrates more greatly than the inner peripheral edge 3a, the liquid in the gap is pushed toward the atomization end face 13 by the vibration. Since the gap is also generated in synchronization with the vibration at the contact portion of the inner peripheral edge 3a, the liquid is pushed out toward the inside of the atomization end face 13 in synchronization with the vibration. And atomization end face 1
3, a liquid film is formed widely.

6, when the circular portion 12 of the vibrating body 1 similarly vibrates, the liquid film forming member 3 also vibrates in response thereto, and the outer peripheral edge 3b vibrates more greatly. (C)). Therefore, the liquid in the gap is caused by a piston-like action due to the movement of the liquid film forming member 3.
It is pushed out from the contact portion of the inner peripheral edge 3a toward the inside of the atomization end face 13 in synchronization with the vibration. Then, a liquid film is formed widely on the atomization end face 13.

Further, in the above-mentioned spraying device, the liquid film forming member 3 is ring-shaped, but as shown in FIG. 8A, one liquid film forming member 3 'having a rectangular (rectangular) shape is atomized. End face 13
May be provided so as to partially face each other. Or
As shown in FIG. 8B, two liquid film forming members 3 ′ having the same rectangular shape may be arranged to face each other around the atomization end face. Or,
As shown in FIG. 8C, a semi-ring shaped liquid film forming member 3 ″ may be used.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a spray device according to still another embodiment. The spray device according to this embodiment has a flat thin ring-shaped liquid film forming member 3 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the atomization end face 13 of the circular portion 12 of the vibrating body 1. The liquid film forming member 3 shown here is provided on the atomization end face 13 in parallel with a small interval. Also in the spraying device of this embodiment, when the liquid is injected into the space below the liquid film forming member 3 and the vibrating body 1 is vibrated, the liquid film forming member 3 vibrates according to the vibration of the circular portion 12, The liquid is extruded toward the inside of the atomization end face 13 in synchronization with. Then, a liquid film is formed widely on the atomization end face 13.

[0029]

As described above, according to the spraying device of the present invention, since the liquid is atomized without using the mesh member, troublesome maintenance for preventing clogging like the mesh member is not required at all. It is. In addition, the liquid film forming member forms a wide, thin and uniform liquid film on the atomization end face of the vibrating body, and can perform the same spraying action as the mesh member. A fine particle size can be realized and can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a spray device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vibrating body (and a vibrator and a liquid film forming member) in the spraying device.

FIG. 3 is a front view (a) and a plan view (top view) of the vibrating body of FIG. 2 (b).

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an atomizing action of the spray device.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing another mode of the vibrating body (and the vibrator and the liquid film forming member) in the spraying device.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a modified example of a cross-sectional shape of a liquid film forming member disposed on an atomizing end face of a vibrating body in the spray device.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a liquid film forming operation by the liquid film forming member shown in FIGS. 3 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view (top view) showing a modified example of the planar shape of the liquid film forming member disposed on the atomizing end face of the vibrating body in the spray device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a liquid film forming member of a spray device according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an ultrasonic cavitation type spraying device according to a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an ultrasonic mesh type spraying device according to a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a horn type spray device without a mesh member according to a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of a conventional ultrasonic spray device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oscillator 2 Oscillator 3, 3 ', 3 "Liquid film forming member 3a Inner edge 3b Outer edge 4 Coil spring 5 Nozzle (liquid supply means) 10 Chemical liquid (liquid) 13 Atomization end face

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vibrating body having a flat atomizing end face, a vibrator attached to the vibrating body to vibrate the vibrating body perpendicular to the atomizing end face, and at least a vibrating body surrounding the atomizing end face. The liquid is supplied to a gap between the part and the inner end that is urged to lightly contact the atomizing end face and vibrates in response to the vibration of the vibrating body, and that the liquid supplied to the gap between the inner end and the atomizing end face is vibrated. A thin liquid film forming member that flows out in a thin film onto the atomization end face portion inside the gap in synchronization with the liquid supply, and a liquid supply that supplies liquid to the gap between the liquid film formation member and the atomization end face And a means for spraying. 2. The spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid film forming member has a ring shape facing the entire periphery of the atomizing end face of the vibrating body. 3. The liquid film forming member according to claim 1, wherein an inner edge of the liquid film forming member is in contact with an atomizing end face of the vibrating body, and an outer edge is located with a gap from the atomizing end face. Item 3. A spraying device according to Item 2. 4. A spraying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibrator is attached to an end face of said vibrating body opposite to the atomization end face. 5. A vibrating body having a flat atomizing end face, a vibrator attached to the vibrating body for vibrating the vibrating body perpendicular to the atomizing end face, and facing around the atomizing end face of the vibrating body. And is urged to lightly contact the atomization end face, vibrates in response to the vibration of the vibrating body, and supplies the liquid supplied to the gap between the atomization end face and the liquid in synchronization with the vibration. A thin plate ring-shaped liquid film forming member that flows out in a thin film onto the inner atomization end face portion, and liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to a gap between the liquid film formation member and the atomization end face. Spraying device characterized by the above-mentioned.