JP2008114159A - Ultrasonic treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable reducing the energy for the drive of an ultrasonic element and the costs for the ultrasonic treatment apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus has an ultrasonic element (mi) generating ultrasonic waves when driven, a transmission medium containing chamber 14 which is arranged in contact with a target article and the ultrasonic element (mi) and contains an ultrasonic wave transmission medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the target article and an reflective member reflecting ultrasonic waves. Because the transmission medium containing chamber 14 is arranged in contact with the target article and the ultrasonic element (mi) and contains the ultrasonic wave transmission medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the target article, the energy for drive of the ultrasonic element (mi) can be reduced, thus leading to a reduction of costs for the ultrasonic treatment apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic processing apparatus.

Conventionally, in an ultrasonic treatment device for sterilizing microorganisms in a liquid, for example, an ultrasonic sterilization device, an ultrasonic wave is generated by driving an ultrasonic element, and cavitation is caused by the ultrasonic wave. Microorganisms are sterilized (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-288376 A

  However, since the conventional ultrasonic sterilizer needs to cause cavitation by ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to sufficiently increase the energy for driving the ultrasonic elements and transmit the ultrasonic waves to the liquid. Therefore, the cost of the ultrasonic sterilizer increases.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional ultrasonic sterilization apparatus, and provides an ultrasonic processing apparatus capable of reducing the energy for driving the ultrasonic element and reducing the cost. With the goal.

  For this purpose, in the ultrasonic processing apparatus of the present invention, an ultrasonic element that is driven to generate ultrasonic waves is disposed in contact with the object to be processed and the ultrasonic element, and the ultrasonic wave is applied to the object to be processed. A propagation medium containing chamber for containing an ultrasonic propagation medium for transmission; and a reflecting member for reflecting the ultrasonic waves.

  According to the present invention, in the ultrasonic processing apparatus, the ultrasonic element that is driven to generate the ultrasonic wave, the object to be processed and the ultrasonic element are disposed in contact with each other, and the ultrasonic wave is applied to the object to be processed. A propagation medium containing chamber for containing an ultrasonic propagation medium for transmission; and a reflecting member for reflecting the ultrasonic waves.

  In this case, a propagation medium accommodation chamber is disposed in contact with the object to be processed and the ultrasonic element, and an ultrasonic propagation medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the object to be processed is accommodated in the propagation medium accommodation chamber. Therefore, the energy for driving the ultrasonic element can be reduced. Therefore, the cost of the ultrasonic processing apparatus can be reduced.

  In addition, since the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic element can be transmitted to the object to be processed through the ultrasonic wave propagation medium, it is designed when setting the position of the object containing part with respect to the ultrasonic element. The degree of freedom can be increased.

  Further, since the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the reflecting member, it is possible to irradiate the entire interior of the propagation medium accommodation chamber with the ultrasonic wave and irradiate the entire object to be processed. Therefore, the object to be treated can be sterilized with certainty.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an ultrasonic sterilizer as an ultrasonic treatment apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an ultrasonic sterilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 11 is an ultrasonic sterilizer, 12 is a sterilization processing unit, and 13 is a propagation medium circulation processing unit. The sterilization processing unit 12 forms a closed space, a box-shaped propagation medium accommodation chamber 14 for accommodating water e as an ultrasonic propagation medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves to an object (not shown), the propagation A predetermined wall of the medium storage chamber 14, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic generator 15 attached to the center of the bottom wall wa, and a predetermined location in the propagation medium storage chamber 14, in this embodiment , And a reflecting plate 17 as a reflecting member attached to the side walls wb and wc (including the near side and back side walls in the figure). In the present embodiment, the object to be processed is a seafood having moisture as a component.

  The propagation medium circulation processing unit 13 includes a filtration tank 21 that contains and filters the water e supplied from the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14, a circulation pump 22, a cooler 23 that cools the water e, and the like.

  A partition wall 25 is disposed at a predetermined location in the filtration tank 21, and first and second chambers 26 and 27 are formed by the partition wall 25. A filter agent (not shown) is disposed in the first chamber 26, and a heater 28 as a heating member and a temperature sensor 29 as a temperature detection unit are disposed in the second chamber 27.

  Further, the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14 and the first chamber 26 are connected by a pipe 41, the second chamber 27 and the circulation pump 22 are connected by a pipe 43, and the circulation pump 22 and the cooler 23 are connected by a pipe 45. 23 and the propagation medium storage chamber 14 are connected by a pipe 47. One end of the pipe 41 opens near the upper end in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14, the other end opens above the first chamber 26, and the pipe 41 passes over the pipe 41 in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14. Water e falls in the pipe 41 and is supplied to the first chamber 26. The water e supplied to the first chamber 26 is filtered by a filtering agent, then passes over the partition wall 25 and is supplied to the second chamber 27, and in the second chamber 27, as necessary. The heater 28 is heated so that the temperature of the water e becomes a set temperature.

  For this purpose, a temperature controller 33 is provided. The temperature controller 33 reads the temperature of the water e detected by the temperature sensor 29 and performs feedback control so that the temperature of the water e becomes a set temperature.

  Then, the water e that has reached the set temperature in the second chamber 27 passes through the conduit 43, is sucked by the circulation pump 22, is discharged from the circulation pump 22, passes through the conduit 45, and is supplied to the cooler 23. . The cooler 23 is provided with a refrigeration machine (not shown), and the water e is cooled by operating the refrigeration machine as necessary.

  Subsequently, the water e in the cooler 23 is supplied to the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14 through the pipe 47. A part of the pipe 47 is disposed in the pipe 41 and has a double pipe structure. In the present embodiment, a double tube structure is used, but other than the double tube structure may be used.

The ultrasonic generator 15 includes at least one ultrasonic element mi (i = 1, 2,..., N−1, n) in the present embodiment. In each ultrasonic element mi, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is set to a range of 950 [kHz] or more and 2 [MHz] or less, and the output is 10 [mW / cm ² ] or more and 200 [W / cm ^2]. ] The following range is set to a value that does not destroy the structure of the workpiece. The ultrasonic generator 15 can adjust the output according to the object to be processed, and can increase the output by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic elements mi as necessary.

  Each said ultrasonic element mi is comprised by the ceramic vibrator, for example. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic element mi is attached to the bottom wall wa, but can also be attached to the side walls wb and wc. The ultrasonic wave generated by each ultrasonic element mi is applied to the water e in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14.

  Next, the control circuit of the ultrasonic sterilizer 11 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control circuit of the ultrasonic sterilizer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 30 is a control unit that controls the entire ultrasonic sterilizer 11 (FIG. 1), 31 is a drive circuit for driving each ultrasonic element mi, CRi (i = 1, 2,..., N−). 1 and n) are oscillation circuits for causing each ultrasonic element mi to resonate, and each oscillation circuit CRi is provided by the number of ultrasonic elements mi and is connected to the drive circuit 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes a temperature controller, and 34 denotes a voltage having a value within a range of 5 [V] or more and 60 [V] or less that does not destroy the tissue of the object to be processed. Is a power supply circuit that applies Note that the voltage can be adjusted depending on the object to be processed.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic device and a memory (not shown) as a storage device. The CPU functions as a computer and performs various processes based on programs, data, and the like recorded in the memory. Do.

  Each of the oscillation circuits CRi includes a transistor Tr1 as a switching element, a coil L1 as a detected element for detecting the intensity of ultrasonic waves, a coil L2 as a detection element for detecting the intensity of ultrasonic waves, and the like. The terminal t1 is connected to the collector of the transistor Tr1, the terminal t2 is connected to the emitter via the coil L1, and the terminals t1 and t2 are connected to the drive circuit 31. Further, a first series circuit comprising an ultrasonic element mi and a capacitor C1 and constituting an LC circuit and a second series circuit comprising capacitors C2 and C3 are connected between the collector and the base, and the emitter And the coil L1 is connected between the intermediate points of the capacitors C2 and C3. The coil L2 is disposed so as to face the coil L1, the coil L2 is connected to an operation detection circuit (not shown) as an operation detection processing means, and the operation of the drive circuit 31 is detected by the operation detection circuit. it can.

  The oscillation circuit CRi uses the principle of the Colpitts oscillation circuit, and a drive processing means (not shown) of the control unit 30 performs drive processing, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the terminals t1 and t2 by the drive circuit 31. When applied, the ultrasonic element mi is driven to generate ultrasonic waves. That is, when noise enters the transistor Tr1 in the oscillation circuit CRi, the noise is amplified by the ultrasonic element mi and the capacitor C1 and sent to the ultrasonic element mi as a drive signal. The drive signal is fed back to the transistor Tr1 and further amplified. When such an operation is repeated, the ultrasonic element mi resonates at the natural frequency and generates a stable ultrasonic wave.

  In the oscillation circuit CRi configured as described above, when the voltage applied between the terminals t1 and t2 is changed, the amplitude of the current generated by switching of the transistor Tr1 and supplied to the coil L1 changes. Therefore, the output of the ultrasonic element mi changes, and the intensity (sound pressure) of the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic element mi is changed.

  By the way, in this Embodiment, the intensity | strength of an ultrasonic wave can be changed now according to the kind of to-be-processed object. For this purpose, when the operation unit 35 is provided and the operator operates the operation unit 35 to select the operation mode of the ultrasonic sterilizer 11 from the menu, the output setting processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 30 is An output setting process is performed, the output corresponding to the operation mode is read out and set with reference to the output table set in the memory. Therefore, the operation mode and the output suitable for the operation mode are recorded in the output table in association with each other.

  The operation mode is set in advance based on the type, size, amount, etc. of the object to be processed. Further, instead of the operator operating the operation unit 35 and selecting the operation mode from the menu, the operator can directly select the output by operating the operation unit 35.

  The motion detection circuit performs motion detection processing, reads a current generated in the coil L2 as a current is supplied to the coil L1 as a detection current, converts the current into a voltage, and converts the voltage as an ultrasonic strength. To detect. The coils L1 and L2 constitute a current sensor as a current detection unit.

  An output control processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 30 performs an output control process, and compares the voltage set in the output setting process with the voltage detected by the operation detection process to calculate a deviation. Then, feedback control is performed based on the deviation, a voltage applied between the terminals t1 and t2 is calculated, and the calculated voltage is applied between the terminals t1 and t2, thereby changing the output of the ultrasonic element mi. As a result, the intensity of the ultrasonic wave can be changed.

  By the way, since water e consists of a fluid material and the water e and the to-be-processed object are made to contact, the ultrasonic wave irradiated to the water e is transmitted to the to-be-processed object. Then, water e and moisture contained in the object to be processed are decomposed by ultrasonic waves to generate hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen atoms. Therefore, since the water e and the water | moisture content in a to-be-processed object are sterilized, a to-be-processed object can be sterilized from the outer side and an inner side.

  It is known from experimental results that hydroxyl radicals are efficiently generated when the ultrasonic frequency falls within the range of 950 [kHz] or more and 2 [MHz] or less. In particular, 1600 [kHz ] Even if the microorganism is strong against drugs, such as disinfectants, the disinfectant is most effective when it falls within the range of 1650 [kHz] or less and further adjusts the intensity of ultrasonic waves. Can be sterilized without using.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, the operation mode is changed according to the type of the object to be processed, the voltage applied between the terminals t1 and t2 is changed, and the output of the ultrasonic element mi is changed. Change and change the intensity of the ultrasound.

  However, since the frequency of the ultrasonic wave generated by each ultrasonic element mi is constant, as described above, when the voltage applied between the terminals t1 and t2 is changed in the output control process, the hydroxyl radical is reduced. It may not be able to generate enough. For example, when the applied voltage is lower than 20 [V], generating an ultrasonic wave at a frequency in the vicinity of 1000 [kHz] can sufficiently generate hydroxyl radicals, but at other frequencies. When ultrasonic waves are generated, hydroxyl radicals cannot be generated sufficiently.

  In addition, when the applied voltage is 20 [V] or more, if an ultrasonic wave is generated at a frequency in the vicinity of 1600 [kHz], hydroxyl radicals can be sufficiently generated, whereas other frequencies are generated. When an ultrasonic wave is generated at, hydroxyl radicals cannot be generated sufficiently. Thus, the voltage that can sufficiently generate hydroxyl radicals varies depending on the frequency of the ultrasonic element mi.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic elements mi are grouped, and ultrasonic waves can be generated at different frequencies for each group. As described above, when the voltage to be applied is set according to the type of the object to be processed, the group of the ultrasonic elements mi is selected in accordance with the set voltage. .

  For this purpose, the voltage and the frequency at which hydroxyl radicals can be sufficiently generated are recorded in the frequency table of the memory in association with each other. Then, a frequency calculation processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 30 performs a frequency calculation process, reads the voltage calculated in the output control process, reads the optimum frequency with respect to the voltage by referring to the frequency table. Calculated by

  Subsequently, an ultrasonic element selection processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 30 performs an ultrasonic element selection process, selects a calculated frequency group, and drives the ultrasonic elements mi belonging to the group.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, hydroxyl radicals are generated as ultrasonic waves are applied to water e and moisture in the object to be processed, and microorganisms such as bacteria are sterilized by the hydroxyl radicals. There is no need to cause cavitation by ultrasound. Therefore, since the energy for driving the ultrasonic element mi can be reduced, the cost of the ultrasonic sterilizer 11 can be reduced.

  In addition, since the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic element mi can be transmitted to the object to be processed through the water e, the degree of design freedom can be increased when setting the position of the object to be processed with respect to the ultrasonic element mi. Can be high.

  By the way, the production | generation of the said hydroxyl radical depends on the temperature of the water e and the temperature of the water | moisture content in a to-be-processed object, and the amount of production | generation increases and sterilization ability becomes high, so that the amount of production | generation increases too much. If so, the workpiece may be damaged.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a temperature control processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 30 performs a temperature control process, sends the set temperature to the temperature controller 33, and controls the temperature of the water e to be the set temperature. . Since the temperature of the water e is usually low when the operation of the ultrasonic sterilizer 11 is started, the heater 28 is energized to increase the temperature, and the heater 28 is energized so that the water e reaches the set temperature.・ I try to turn it off. In addition, since the temperature of water e becomes high as ultrasonic waves are irradiated to water e, the power supply of cooler 23 is turned on / off as needed.

  The hydroxyl radical generation processing means is constituted by the drive processing means, output setting processing means, output control processing means, frequency calculation processing means, ultrasonic element selection processing means, etc., and the hydroxyl radical generation processing means is a hydroxyl radical generation process. Then, the hydroxyl radical is generated by driving the ultrasonic element mi.

  By the way, the vibration of the ultrasonic wave becomes stronger in directivity as the frequency (frequency) becomes higher, and can be handled in the same manner as the phenomenon of light reflection and diffraction. In addition, the strength is large on a line passing through the center of the ultrasonic element mi and extending in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the ultrasonic element mi (hereinafter referred to as “propagation line”), but away from the propagation line. The strength is small in the vicinity.

  Therefore, a reflecting plate 17 is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to each ultrasonic element mi, and the ultrasonic wave generated by each ultrasonic element mi is reflected by the reflecting plate 17 so that the inside of the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14 is reflected. The whole object is irradiated with ultrasonic waves, and the whole object to be processed is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. Therefore, the object to be treated can be sterilized with certainty.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the propagation medium accommodation chamber according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a propagation medium accommodation chamber in which water e is accommodated. In the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14, a predetermined ultrasonic element (for example, the ultrasonic elements m1, m2, etc.) of the ultrasonic elements mi of the ultrasonic generator 15 has an ultrasonic element surface facing upward. For other ultrasonic elements (for example, ultrasonic elements m (n−1), mn, etc.), which are fixedly attached to the fixed support part 15a as the first support part so as to be horizontally moved. Are arranged such that the surface of the ultrasonic element is inclined toward the reflecting plate 17 and is swingable. For this purpose, the ultrasonic element that is disposed so as to be swingable adjacent to the fixed support portion 15a is attached to a swing support portion 15b serving as a second support portion. The swing support portion 15b is connected to a motor (not shown) as a drive portion, and is swung in the arrow direction by driving the motor.

  Ultrasound generated by an ultrasonic element (hereinafter referred to as “fixed ultrasonic element”) attached to the fixed support portion 15a is propagated upward and is applied to the swing support portion 15b. The ultrasonic waves generated by the element (hereinafter referred to as “inclined ultrasonic element”) are propagated toward the reflecting plate 17 and reflected by the reflecting plate 17. In the present embodiment, the tilted ultrasonic element is swingably disposed, but can be tilted at a predetermined angle without being swung.

  The reflection surface of the reflection plate 17 is set to have a predetermined shape so that the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflection plate 17 are dispersed and propagated throughout the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14. In the present embodiment, the reflecting plate 17 has a plurality of projections qj (j = 1, 2,...) Having a shape such as a quadrangular pyramid (cone) or a cone so that irregularities are formed on the surface.

Since the positions of the protrusions qj with respect to the inclined ultrasonic element are different from each other, the angles of the reflection surfaces of the protrusions qj with respect to the inclined ultrasonic element are also different. Therefore, the ultrasonic waves reflected by the respective reflecting surfaces are dispersed and propagated in the respective directions in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14, and the intensity of the ultrasonic waves in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14 is set at any position. A value within a range of 10 [mW / cm ² ] or more and 200 [W / cm ² ] or less is set to a value that does not destroy the structure of the workpiece.

  By the way, by changing the area of the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 17, it is possible to change the intensity of ultrasonic waves and change the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated. The area of the reflection surface can be changed by forming the vibration absorbing material on the reflection surface by attaching, printing, integral generation or the like.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a propagation medium accommodation chamber according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the reflecting surface S1 of each reflecting plate 17 as a reflecting member is curved and has a concave mirror structure. In this case, when the tilted ultrasonic element is swung, the ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting plate 17 is propagated in a direction close to the focal point of the reflecting surface S1, so that the swing support portion 15b and the tilted ultrasonic wave are transmitted. This is suitable when the oscillation range of the element is set to be relatively large.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a propagation medium accommodation chamber according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the reflecting surface S2 of each reflecting plate 17 as a reflecting member is curved and has a convex mirror structure. In this case, when the tilted ultrasonic element is swung, the ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting plate 17 is propagated in a direction away from the focal point of the reflecting surface S2, so that the swing support portion 15b and the tilted supersonic element are tilted. This is suitable when the oscillating range of the acoustic wave element is set to be relatively small.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a propagation medium accommodation chamber in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the first ultrasonic generator 55 is fixedly disposed on the bottom wall wa of the propagation medium storage chamber 14, and the ultrasonic element mi (i = 1, 2, ..) Are attached, and the second and third ultrasonic generators 56 and 57 are arranged on the top wall wd of the propagation medium accommodating chamber 14 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow, and each of the second and third ultrasonic generators is generated. Ultrasonic elements r 1 and r 2 are attached to the vessels 56 and 57.

  In addition, a reflecting plate 17 as a reflecting member having a stepped shape is disposed on the side walls wb and wc. The reflecting surfaces S3 and S4 of the reflecting plate 17 gradually protrude from the top wall wd side toward the bottom wall wa side toward the center in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14, and serve as a first surface in the vertical direction. Vertical surfaces sa1 to sa4 parallel to each other, and inclined surfaces sb1 to sb3 as second surfaces connecting the vertical surfaces sa1 to sa4. The positions of the inclined surfaces sb1 to sb3 are different from each other on the reflecting surfaces S3 and S4.

  When the second and third ultrasonic generators 56 and 57 are moved in the direction of the arrows in the ultrasonic sterilization apparatus 11 (FIG. 1) configured as described above, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic elements r1 and r2 are , Propagated downward in the vertical direction, reflected by a predetermined inclined surface of the inclined surfaces sb1 to sb3 of the reflecting surfaces S3 and S4, and propagated in the horizontal direction.

  Accordingly, by setting the positions of the second and third ultrasonic generators 56 and 57, it is possible to select the inclined surfaces sb1 to sb3 on which the ultrasonic waves are reflected. It is possible to change the intensity of the ultrasonic wave at each part.

  In this case, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic elements r1 and r2 of the second and third ultrasonic generators 56 and 57 are propagated in the horizontal direction, but the positions of the inclined surfaces sb1 to sb3. Are formed on the reflecting surfaces S3 and S4 so that the ultrasonic waves do not interfere with each other.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the ultrasonic generator 15 and the first ultrasonic generator 55 are attached to the bottom wall wa. An ultrasonic element can be attached to the plate to form a diaphragm unit, the diaphragm unit can be attached to the bottom wall wa, and the shell can be directly irradiated with ultrasonic waves.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although seafood is processed as a to-be-processed object, processing in the state which put fresh food, retort food etc. in the bag etc. as a to-be-processed object. Can do. In this case, the ultrasonic propagation medium may be not only water e but also a gel (gel) or sol (colloid solution).

  Further, the object to be processed may be a part of a human body such as a foot or a hand.

  Next, the ultrasonic sterilizer 11 for sterilizing the foot will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a propagation medium accommodation chamber according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a box-shaped propagation medium accommodation chamber that forms a space with an open top, and the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14 transmits ultrasonic waves to a foot that is an object to be processed. It contains water e as a medium. An ultrasonic generator 59 is attached to a predetermined wall of the propagation medium accommodating chamber 14, in the present embodiment, below the side wall wb, and a reflecting plate 17 as a reflecting member having a stepped shape is formed on the bottom wall wa. Arranged. Further, a net-like footrest 61 for placing a foot is disposed at a predetermined position above the reflecting plate 17. In the ultrasonic generator 59, a plurality of ultrasonic elements (not shown) are arranged at respective positions in the height direction.

  The reflection surface S5 of the reflection plate 17 gradually protrudes upward from the side wall wb side toward the side wall wc side in the propagation medium accommodation chamber 14, and is parallel to the horizontal direction as the first surface. Horizontal surfaces sa11 to sa15, and inclined surfaces sb11 to sb14 as second surfaces connecting the horizontal surfaces sa11 to sa15.

  In the ultrasonic sterilizer 11 (FIG. 1) configured as described above, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic elements are propagated toward the side wall wc in the horizontal direction and reflected by the inclined surfaces sb11 to sb14 of the reflective surface S5. Is propagated upward and illuminates the foot.

The ultrasonic wave can be adjusted to an output that does not affect the human body, that is, 10 [mW / cm ² ] or more and 28 [W / cm ² ] or less when irradiated to hands and feet.

  By increasing or decreasing the output of a predetermined ultrasonic element of each ultrasonic element, it is possible to sterilize a predetermined part of each part of the foot.

  Also in this case, by changing the area of the reflecting surface S5 or moving the ultrasonic generator 59 in the vertical direction, the intensity of the ultrasonic wave can be changed and the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be changed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

It is a conceptual diagram of the ultrasonic sterilizer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the control circuit of the ultrasonic sterilizer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the propagation medium accommodation chamber in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the propagation medium accommodation chamber in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the propagation medium accommodation chamber in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the propagation medium accommodation chamber in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the propagation medium accommodation chamber in the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ultrasonic sterilizer 14 Propagation medium accommodation chamber 17 Reflector 30 Control part e Water mi Ultrasonic element

Claims (5)

(A) an ultrasonic element that is driven to generate an ultrasonic wave;
(B) a propagation medium storage chamber that is disposed in contact with the object to be processed and the ultrasonic element, and stores an ultrasonic propagation medium for transmitting the ultrasonic waves to the object to be processed;
(C) An ultrasonic processing apparatus comprising a reflection member that reflects the ultrasonic waves.   The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined ultrasonic element of the ultrasonic elements is arranged to be swingable.   The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic element is arranged to be movable with respect to the reflecting member.   The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hydroxyl radical generation processing unit that drives the ultrasonic element to generate hydroxyl radicals in the object to be processed.   The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hydroxyl radical generation processing unit drives the ultrasonic element at a predetermined frequency in accordance with a voltage applied to the ultrasonic element.

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