JP2009255087A - Ultrasonic atomizing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic atomizing apparatus capable of efficiently atomizing an atomizing liquid, from free causing the contamination of the atomizing liquid and capable of simply cleaning and using sanitarily. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic atomizing apparatus 20 is provided with a liquid tank 26 for housing the atomizing liquid 7 such as water, a chemical liquid or a chemical solution, an ultrasonic transducer 3 for producing atomized particles of the atomizing liquid 7 and a drive circuit 27 for driving the ultrasonic transducer 3 to produce the atomized particles of the liquid to atomize. The ultrasonic transducer 3 is fixed to the bottom part lower side of the liquid tank and the contact surface area of the ultrasonic transducer 3 to the liquid tank bottom is as same as that of the bottom of the liquid tank. The liquid tank 26 has the bottom 29, a wall 30 inclined outward and a connection 31 for connecting the bottom 29 and the wall 30 smoothly to each other. The liquid tank 26 is made from one kind of a stainless sheet, a titanium sheet and ceramic. The ultrasonic transducer 3 is fitted to the bottom of the liquid tank in a pressurized state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer (humidifier) that atomizes a liquid such as water, a chemical solution, and a chemical solution by an ultrasonic vibrator and sprays the liquid into a room, or an ultrasonic inhaler that generates atomized fine particles to be sucked by a patient. In particular, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer excellent in hygiene.

Conventional ultrasonic atomizers have been proposed in which an ultrasonic vibrator is exposed and attached to the bottom of a liquid tank, and this ultrasonic vibrator atomizes the atomizing liquid filled in the liquid tank. Yes. However, in the above-described ultrasonic atomizing apparatus, the ultrasonic vibrator is sandwiched between elastic bodies, and is further liquid-tightly joined to the liquid tank by a sealing member. Due to the vibration and heat generation of the vibrating ultrasonic vibrator, there is a problem that the elastic body and the sealing member are destroyed, and the broken pieces are mixed in the liquid, thereby contaminating the atomizing liquid. In addition, since the atomizing liquid and the ultrasonic vibrator are in direct contact, if the atomizing liquid dislikes other foreign substances or foreign materials such as chemicals and chemical solutions, the elastic body or seal member Contamination due to elution of contained chemicals becomes a problem, so that only limited materials can be used, and there has been no elastic body that has safety against various types of elution of drugs, high strength and heat resistance. In addition, since the shape of the attachment part and the seal part of the ultrasonic vibrator is complicated, it is difficult to completely remove the liquid after use. It was not preferable for hygiene because it was mixed with the dried component.

On the other hand, an ultrasonic vibrator is arranged on the liquid surface or in the liquid, and an atomizing liquid is atomized by elastic vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator. In this apparatus, since the ultrasonic vibrator is in direct contact with the atomizing liquid as in the above ultrasonic atomizing apparatus, the problem of contamination of the atomizing liquid and the liquid after use are the same as in the above apparatus. There was a problem that it was difficult to completely remove.

As a means for solving these problems, for example, there is the one shown in FIG. 9 (see FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-255747). In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic atomizing device. The ultrasonic atomizing device 1 has a liquid tank 2 having an opening at a lower portion thereof, and an ultrasonic vibrator 3 and a horn fitting 4 connected to the opening. The vibrator unit 5 is joined in a liquid-tight manner by the joint sealing elastic body 6. 7 is an atomizing liquid 7. The ultrasonic atomizer 1 vibrates the ultrasonic vibrator 3 by a driving circuit (not shown), amplifies the vibration by the horn fitting 4, and atomizes the atomizing liquid 7 at the liquid surface. It is. Accordingly, the horn fitting 4 is used by being completely submerged in the atomizing liquid 7.

Therefore, in this ultrasonic atomizing apparatus 1, the ultrasonic vibrator 3 and the horn fitting 4 are integrated into the vibrator unit 5, so that the atomizing liquid 7 does not directly touch the ultrasonic vibrator 3. However, the vibrator unit 5 needs to be joined to the bottom of the liquid tank 2, and the joint sealing elastic body 6 comes into contact with the atomizing liquid 7, so that the medicine contained in the joint sealing elastic body 6 is eluted. Contamination of the atomizing liquid 7 was a problem. Further, it is difficult to eliminate the atomizing liquid 7 remaining in the gap between the joint seal 6 and the liquid tank 2 joint, and it is difficult to completely remove the liquid after use, which is unfavorable for hygiene.

Furthermore, as a configuration in which the liquid to be atomized and the ultrasonic transducer do not directly touch each other, for example, there is a configuration as shown in FIG. (See FIG. 2 of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-118762). In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes an ultrasonic atomizing device. The ultrasonic atomizing device 8 includes an indirect vibration liquid tank 9 in which an ultrasonic vibrator 3 is assembled at a lower portion by a bonding seal elastic body 6, and From the indirect vibration liquid 10 placed in the indirect vibration liquid tank 9, the liquid tank 11 set so as to be used to a predetermined depth of the indirect vibration liquid 10, and the atomizing liquid 7 placed in the liquid tank 11 Become. In this apparatus, since the atomizing liquid 7 is not in direct contact with the ultrasonic transducer 3, the atomizing liquid 7 is not contaminated.

JP-A-62-255747 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-118762

However, since the indirect vibration liquid is in contact with the ultrasonic vibrator and is contaminated, it has to be replaced periodically. Further, when the atomizing liquid is atomized, a part of the indirect vibration liquid is atomized and mixed with the atomized particles of the atomizing liquid. For this reason, while the indirect vibration liquid can be exchanged, it is necessary to seal the indirect vibration liquid, and there is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.

Therefore, the invention of claim 1 or 2 of the present invention can efficiently atomize the atomizing liquid, there is no possibility that the atomizing liquid is contaminated, and it can be easily cleaned and is hygienic. The object is to provide an ultrasonic atomizer that can be used. In addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the invention described in claim 3 or 4 ensures the joining of the ultrasonic vibrator to the liquid tank, and at the same time increases the output and tunes the drive frequency. It aims at providing the ultrasonic atomizer which enabled the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a liquid tank that stores an atomizing liquid such as water, a chemical solution, and a chemical solution, and an ultrasonic wave that generates atomized fine particles of the atomizing liquid. In an ultrasonic atomizing device that includes a vibrator and a drive circuit that drives the ultrasonic vibrator, and generates and sprays the liquid atomized fine particles, the bottom of the liquid tank is provided in the liquid tank. A bottomed short cylindrical portion that is open and has an opening area that is smaller than the opening area of the liquid tank is connected, and the bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion has a contact area that is substantially equal to the area of the bottom portion. The sound wave oscillator is fixed. Furthermore, the invention described in claim 2 is a liquid tank that stores an atomizing liquid such as water, a chemical solution, or a chemical solution, an ultrasonic vibrator that generates atomized fine particles of the atomizing liquid, and the ultrasonic vibration. An ultrasonic atomizer that generates and sprays the liquid atomized fine particles, and the liquid tank includes a wall portion that is inclined outward, and the liquid tank. It has a bottomed short tube portion that opens, and has a connecting portion that gently connects the wall portion and the upper end portion of the short tube portion, and the bottom surface of the bottom portion of the short tube portion has an area of the bottom portion. And an ultrasonic transducer having a contact area substantially equal to is fixed. Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, in which the ultrasonic vibrator includes a bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion and a pressing plate disposed on the lower end side of the ultrasonic vibrator. The vibration frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the fastening pressure to the bottom lower surface of the short cylinder portion of the pressing plate. In addition to the invention of claim 1 or 2, the ultrasonic transducer according to claim 4 is a bolt threaded portion provided on a bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion in a bolt insertion hole provided in the center. And is fastened and fixed in a pressurized state to the bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion by a pressing plate disposed on the lower end side of the ultrasonic transducer.

  Since the ultrasonic atomizing apparatus according to the present invention is as described above, when the ultrasonic vibrator is atomized, the amount of the atomizing liquid that can exist immediately above the ultrasonic vibrator is increased, which becomes an obstruction factor. The proportion of the atomizing liquid that does not exist immediately above the ultrasonic transducer can be reduced, and the atomization efficiency can be improved. In addition, even when the amount of atomizing liquid is reduced, almost all of the remaining atomizing liquid is collected directly above the ultrasonic transducer, so that almost all of the atomizing liquid can be atomized, so an accurate amount can be obtained. Can be atomized. Furthermore, with respect to the surface of the liquid tank in contact with the atomizing liquid, the bottom and wall of the liquid tank are made continuous without interruption, and the joint is joined with a gentle R, so that cleaning is easy. Furthermore, since there is no portion for the atomizing liquid to enter, the atomizing liquid and the cleaning liquid can be completely eliminated, which is hygienic. Further, the ultrasonic transducer includes a bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion connected to the liquid tank, a pressing plate disposed on the lower end side of the ultrasonic transducer, and a bolt screw portion provided on the bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion. Therefore, there is no possibility that the ultrasonic vibrator becomes hot and the adhesive is deteriorated and the ultrasonic vibrator is detached. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic transducer is fastened to the bottom lower surface of the short cylinder portion in a pressurized state, it can be driven with a large output. Further, there is an effect that the driving frequency can be tuned by adjusting the fastening pressure to the bottom lower surface side of the pressing plate.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the ultrasonic atomizer which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid tank and ultrasonic transducer | vibrator in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the liquid tank in a comparative example, and sectional drawing of the liquid tank in an Example. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid tank and ultrasonic transducer which can be applied to the other Example of the ultrasonic atomizer which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid tank and ultrasonic transducer which can be applied to the further another Example of the ultrasonic atomizer which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid tank and ultrasonic transducer which can be applied to the further another Example of the ultrasonic atomizer which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid tank and ultrasonic transducer which can be applied to the further another Example of the ultrasonic atomizer which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the conventional atomization apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the conventional atomization apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid tank and an ultrasonic transducer in FIG. In the figure, 20 is an ultrasonic atomizer, and 21 and 22 are an upper case and a lower case, respectively. The upper case 21 includes a blower fan unit 23 having a filter and a wind guide plate 24 that guides wind introduced by the blower fan unit 23. On the other hand, the lower case 22 has the ultrasonic vibrator 3 bonded and fixed to the lower surface, a liquid tank 26 elastically supported on the case body by a holding elastic member 25, and a drive circuit 27 for the ultrasonic vibrator. Built in. In addition, about the symbol of these figures, about the thing which is fundamentally the same structure as a prior art, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is simplified. The liquid tank 26 is formed by drawing a stainless steel thin plate into a substantially cup shape that constitutes a mounting flange portion 28 and a smooth bottom portion 29, and a wall portion 30 having an opening that gradually increases in diameter upward. 29 and the connection part 31 of the wall part 30 are connected as smooth R continuously.

The ultrasonic transducer 3 is manufactured in a size that substantially matches the smooth bottom 29 of the liquid tank 26. This is because the ultrasonic vibration that works effectively for atomization is limited to the region directly above the ultrasonic transducer. Further, by using a stainless steel thin plate excellent in chemical resistance and rust prevention for the liquid tank material, it is possible to prevent the atomizing liquid from being contaminated over a long period of time. In this embodiment, a stainless steel thin plate is used as the liquid tank material, but the same effect can be obtained by using a titanium material or a ceramic material that is also excellent in chemical resistance and rust resistance. Moreover, although the liquid tank was created by drawing, as long as the effect of the present invention is exhibited, it may be created by cutting, joining, mold forming, or the like. In that case, at least the liquid tank inner surface filled with the atomizing liquid 7 needs to be a continuous surface without interruption.

Next, a comparative example and an example used for an atomization efficiency test to be described later will be described with reference to FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the liquid tank 32 in the comparative example. (B) is sectional drawing of the liquid tank 33 in an Example. The liquid tank 32 is a cylindrical liquid tank having an opening diameter of 34 mm and a depth of 15 mm, and an ultrasonic vibrator having a diameter of 12 mm and a thickness of 0.6 mm is bonded and fixed to the center of the bottom. On the other hand, the liquid tank 33 is a tapered opening type liquid tank having an opening diameter of 34 mm, a bottom diameter of 12 mm, and a depth of 15 mm, and an ultrasonic transducer having a diameter of 12 mm and a thickness of 0.6 mm is bonded and fixed to the center of the bottom. ing. The ultrasonic transducers bonded and fixed to these liquid tanks 32 and 33 are connected to a drive circuit (not shown). Needless to say, these ultrasonic transducers and drive circuits are equivalent to those in the comparative example and the example.

Next, an atomization efficiency test using the above comparative example and examples will be described. First, 4 cc of the atomizing liquid is put into the liquid tanks 32 and 33. Then, the ultrasonic vibrator is driven at an input power of 20 W and a frequency of 2.5 MHz, and is driven until the atomizing liquid is exhausted. The results of this atomization test are shown in Table 1.

In the above test, the liquid was driven for 4 minutes or more even after the liquid for atomization of the example almost disappeared, but was interrupted because it was not decreased any more. From the results of the above test, with the same liquid amount and the same power, the amount of atomization is 1.5 times that of the comparative example, and the example is clearly more efficient. This is because the ultrasonic vibration that works effectively for atomization is limited to the region directly above the ultrasonic transducer. In other words, the atomizing liquid existing in the space 34 directly above the ultrasonic vibrator is effectively subjected to vibration by the ultrasonic vibrator, but the atomizing liquid existing outside the space 34 is ultrasonic vibration. It becomes a load on the child and inhibits ultrasonic vibration. Therefore, it can be said that the embodiment having a smaller load, in other words, the example in which the atomizing liquid existing outside the space 34 is less efficient.

In addition, the amount of the remaining liquid was not substantially reduced from the time when the comparative example was reduced to 0.3 cc, whereas in the example, almost the entire amount was atomized, and it can be said that it can be used up to the end. This is particularly effective when applied to an inhaler that atomizes a very small amount of medicine or the like, or when it is necessary to atomize a predetermined amount accurately.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid tank and an ultrasonic transducer that can be applied to another embodiment of the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. In the figure, 35 is a liquid tank, and 36 is an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic vibrator 36 is a laminated body of a ceramic 37 that expands and contracts by application of a frequency voltage and insulators 38 and 39, and is further provided with an electrode (not shown). Reference numeral 40 denotes a pressing plate. A bolt insertion hole is provided in the center of the ultrasonic vibrator 36 and the pressing plate 40, and a bolt screwing portion 41 provided integrally with the bottom of the liquid tank 35 is passed through the bolt insertion hole. The ultrasonic vibrator 36 and the pressing plate 40 are screwed into the liquid tank 35 in a pressurized state with a lock nut 42 at a predetermined torque. The bolt screw portion 41 is fixed to the bottom surface of the liquid tank 35 by welding. The insulators 38 and 39 can be omitted if the pressing plate 40, the bolt screwing portion 41, and the lock nut 42 are not short-circuited with the electrode of the ultrasonic transducer 36. In the above-described embodiment, the ceramic layer is a single layer. However, a plurality of layers may be stacked in accordance with a design factor such as an amplitude to be obtained. This can be applied to other embodiments.

In general, it is known that an ultrasonic transducer is heated by self-heating when vibrated at a high frequency continuously for a long time. Also in the ultrasonic atomizer, particularly when generating ultrafine particles, since the ultrasonic vibration is about 1 MHz to 10 MHz, the temperature is raised to 100 to 120 ° C. or higher. Since a normal adhesive has a glass transition temperature Tg of about 120 ° C., the adhesive may deteriorate due to heat and cause peeling. In the above embodiment, since the ultrasonic transducer 36 is forcibly joined to the liquid tank 35, it is not necessary to use an adhesive. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent problems such as the ultrasonic vibrator being detached due to the deterioration of the adhesive. Further, the ultrasonic vibrator 36 can adjust the vibration frequency by adjusting the pressure state at the time of fastening. Specifically, by tightening the lock nut 42 with a predetermined tightening torque and applying a fastening pressure to the pressing plate 40, the ultrasonic vibrator 36 can be brought into a pressurized state and adjusted to a desired vibration frequency. It is. In addition, when the ultrasonic transducer 36 can be used at Tg or less of the adhesive, an adhesive may be used together for improving the adhesion when the ultrasonic transducer is fastened to the bottom of the liquid tank. Of course.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid tank and an ultrasonic transducer that can be applied to still another embodiment of the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 43 denotes an ultrasonic transducer 43 having an area larger than the bottom of the liquid tank 26 shown in FIG. Also in this case, the contact area between the ultrasonic transducer 43 and the liquid tank 26 is substantially the same as the area of the bottom of the liquid tank 2, but the area of the ultrasonic transducer itself is equal to the area of the bottom of the liquid tank. Since the area of the ultrasonic transducer 43 itself is larger than a certain one, a higher voltage can be input. Therefore, it can be vibrated at a higher frequency or a larger amplitude.

7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views of a liquid tank and an ultrasonic transducer that can be applied to still another embodiment of the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention. In the figure, 44 is a liquid tank. The liquid tank 44 includes a short cylindrical portion 46 having a bottom 44 and a tapered portion 47 that gradually increases in diameter upward from the upper end of the short cylindrical portion, and the short cylindrical portion 46 and the tapered portion 47 are smoothly connected. Is. The diameters of the bottom portion 45 and the short cylinder portion 46 are substantially the same as those of the ultrasonic transducer 3, and the bottom portion 45 and the short cylinder portion 46 are connected by a smooth R. In the present embodiment, the capacity of the liquid tank 44 can be increased by providing the short cylindrical portion 46. However, if the depth of the short cylinder portion 46 is excessively deep, it becomes difficult to clean. Therefore, the depth of the short cylinder portion 46 needs to be not more than a depth that does not interfere with cleaning.

Furthermore, 48 is provided with a bolt threaded portion applied to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 at the bottom of the liquid tank, and the other configuration is the same as FIG. In this embodiment, the capacity of the liquid tank 48 can be increased, and at the same time, an ultrasonic vibrator that can be driven with a larger output can be fastened. Moreover, the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator which has an area larger than the liquid tank bottom part shown in FIG. 6 can also be joined to the Example shown in FIG. Further, in the above embodiment, the horizontal circular cross section that expands toward the upper side is used. However, the opening is gradually enlarged on the taper from the bottom to the upper side, and the above effect can be obtained. For example, each side joint may have a polygonal cross section having a smooth R, an elliptical cross section, or a cross-sectional shape combining these.

3, 36, 43 ... ultrasonic transducers 2, 11, 26, 32, 33, 35, 44, 48 ... liquid tank 9 ... indirect liquid tank

Claims (4)

A liquid tank that stores an atomizing liquid such as water, a chemical solution, or a chemical solution, an ultrasonic vibrator that generates atomized fine particles of the atomizing liquid, and a drive circuit that drives the ultrasonic vibrator. In the ultrasonic atomizer for generating and spraying the liquid atomized fine particles,
The bottom of the liquid tank is connected to a bottomed short cylindrical portion that opens into the liquid tank and has an opening area that is smaller than the opening area of the liquid tank.
An ultrasonic atomizing apparatus, wherein an ultrasonic transducer having a contact area substantially equal to an area of the bottom portion is fixed to a bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion. A liquid tank that stores an atomizing liquid such as water, a chemical solution, or a chemical solution, an ultrasonic vibrator that generates atomized fine particles of the atomizing liquid, and a drive circuit that drives the ultrasonic vibrator. In the ultrasonic atomizer for generating and spraying the liquid atomized fine particles,
The liquid tank has a wall portion inclined outward, and a bottomed short cylindrical portion that opens into the liquid tank, and the wall portion and the upper end portion of the short cylindrical portion are connected smoothly. And
An ultrasonic atomizing apparatus, wherein an ultrasonic transducer having a contact area substantially equal to an area of the bottom portion is fixed to a bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion.   The ultrasonic transducer is pressed and sandwiched between a bottom lower surface of the short cylinder portion and a pressing plate disposed on the lower end side of the ultrasonic transducer, and a bottom lower surface of the short cylinder portion of the pressing plate The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the fastening pressure to the head.   The ultrasonic vibrator is inserted in a bolt insertion hole provided in the center through a bolt threaded portion provided on the bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion, and the above-described ultrasonic vibrator is pressed by a pressing plate disposed on the lower end side of the ultrasonic vibrator. The ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic atomizer is fastened and fixed in a pressurized state to a bottom lower surface of the short cylindrical portion.

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