JP2014046302A - Atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an atomizer capable of achieving a stable operation with a simple structure.SOLUTION: There is provided an atomizer which comprises: a vibration plate 2 having a plurality of nozzles 2a; a liquid container 5 for storing a liquid 4; and a liquid suction core 6 for supplying the liquid 4 in the liquid container 5 to the lower surface side of the vibration plate 2 by utilizing a capillary phenomenon, wherein the liquid suction core 6 is in a linear shape thinner than a nozzle hole formation area 2b of the vibration plate 2 and a circular arc part 6b formed by bending the linear liquid suction core 6 into a U-shape is brought into contact with the lower surface side of the nozzle hole formation area 2b of the vibration plate 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an atomizing device for atomizing a liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, atomization apparatuses that atomize a liquid have been put into practical use for various uses such as humidification, aroma, deodorization, insecticide, cleaning, and film formation.

  This atomizing device vibrates a metal plate having a plurality of nozzle holes, and sprays the liquid supplied to the metal plate, that is, the back side of the diaphragm, from the plurality of nozzle holes to the surface side of the diaphragm (for example, (See Patent Documents 1 to 8).

  In applying this atomization device to various applications, it is necessary to adjust the spray pattern, that is, the spray angle, according to the purpose. In the operation principle of this atomizer, the spray pattern of the spray particles is governed by the shape of the nozzle hole formation area of the diaphragm. Therefore, the atomizer is divided into the following two types of diaphragms. It has been. One is a flat diaphragm having a plurality of nozzle holes in the center (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 6). The other is a diaphragm having a dome-shaped protrusion having a convex surface at the center and a concave surface on the back surface, and a plurality of nozzle holes on the protrusion, that is, a diaphragm having a dome-shaped protrusion. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 7 and 8.) An atomizing device using a flat diaphragm exhibits a direct spray pattern in which spray particles fly linearly. On the other hand, when a diaphragm having dome-shaped projections is used, the spray pattern spreads away from the diaphragm, and the spray particles fly while spreading at a constant spray angle. In the atomization apparatus using the diaphragm having the dome-shaped projection, the spray angle can be adjusted by the height of the projection of the diaphragm.

  In this atomization apparatus, the following two methods are roughly adopted as a method of supplying the liquid to the back side of the diaphragm. One is a method of sucking up or pushing up the liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the back surface side of the diaphragm with a fan or a pump (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The other is a capillary tube by using a liquid absorbent wick made of sponge, felt, cloth, etc., with one end of the liquid absorbent wick contacting the back side of the diaphragm and the other end immersed in the liquid in the liquid container. This is a method of utilizing the phenomenon to supply the liquid in the liquid container to the back side of the diaphragm (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 8).

  By the way, the atomizing device using the liquid absorption core has a simple structure, a small size, and low cost as well as low power consumption compared with the atomizing device using a fan or a pump. It is known that stable operation cannot be guaranteed unless the liquid core is brought into contact with an appropriate pressure (see, for example, Patent Documents 6 and 8). That is, when the liquid absorbent core comes into contact with the diaphragm at a pressure larger than an appropriate pressure, the liquid absorbent core inhibits the vibration of the diaphragm, and the atomization performance decreases. On the contrary, when the liquid absorbent core comes into contact with the diaphragm at a pressure smaller than an appropriate pressure, the diaphragm cannot be sufficiently atomized, and the atomization performance is also lowered.

  Furthermore, when a diaphragm having a dome-like projection is used in an atomizer using a liquid absorbent core, if the liquid absorbent core covers the back side of the projection of the diaphragm, there will be no escape path for air (bubbles). It is also known that poor atomization occurs (for example, see Patent Document 7).

  And the following two methods are known as a method of making a diaphragm and a liquid absorption core contact with an appropriate pressure. One is that the elastic member such as a coil spring is used to elastically press one of the diaphragm and the liquid absorption core against the other, so that one of the diaphragm and the liquid absorption core has shape followability to the diaphragm. In this method, the diaphragm and the liquid absorption core are brought into contact with each other at a predetermined pressure (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 and 7). As this liquid absorption core, a rod-shaped liquid absorption core that is thicker than the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm is used so as not to be bent by the pressing force of the elastic member. The other is a method in which the contact portion itself of the liquid absorbent core to the diaphragm itself has shape followability to the diaphragm so that the diaphragm and the liquid absorbent core are brought into contact at a predetermined pressure (for example, (See Patent Document 8). For this liquid absorbent core, a cloth made of cotton fiber or the like cut into a strip shape is used, and an arc portion formed by bending the cloth into a U-shape is brought into contact with the vibration plate, thereby The contact portion itself with the diaphragm is made to have shape followability to the diaphragm.

  In addition, when a diaphragm having a dome-shaped projection is used, the nozzle of the diaphragm is used as a method for preventing an atomization failure caused by the liquid absorption core covering the back side of the projection of the diaphragm and eliminating the air escape path. By using a rod-shaped absorbent core that is thicker than the hole formation area, and providing a cut-out part at the contact end of the rod-shaped liquid absorbent core to the diaphragm, an air escape path is secured between the diaphragm and the diaphragm. There is a known method (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

JP-A-6-63474 Japanese Patent No. 2849647 Japanese Patent No. 3781873 JP 2011-92833 A JP 2012-20207 A JP 2011-147913 A Japanese Patent No. 4491457 Special Table 2002-538000

  In order to realize the stable operation of the atomizer using the liquid absorption core under the background art described above, there are two methods for bringing the diaphragm and the liquid absorption core into contact with each other at an appropriate pressure. In the two methods, the stable operation of the atomizing device using the liquid absorption core can be performed not only when a flat diaphragm is used but also when a diaphragm having a dome-shaped projection is used, that is, the type of diaphragm ( Regardless of the spray pattern, there is a problem that it cannot be realized with a simple structure.

  That is, since the former method uses a rod-shaped liquid absorbing core that is thicker than the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm, when the diaphragm having a dome-shaped protrusion is used, the liquid absorbing core is the protrusion of the diaphragm. It is possible to take measures against an atomization failure caused by covering the back side and eliminating air escape. Therefore, when the former method is used, stable operation of the atomizing device using the liquid absorption core can be realized regardless of the type of the diaphragm. However, the support structure of the diaphragm and the liquid absorption core becomes complicated, and the stable operation of the atomizing device using the liquid absorption core cannot be realized with a simple structure.

  On the other hand, the latter method does not complicate the support structure of the diaphragm and the liquid absorption core, and is considered effective for realizing a stable operation of the atomization apparatus using the liquid absorption core with a simple structure. Yeah. However, since the cross of the liquid absorption core is plate-shaped, when a diaphragm having a dome-shaped projection is used, if the core width of the liquid absorption core is wider than the projection of the diaphragm, the arc portion protrudes. The back side of the part is completely covered, resulting in poor atomization and no countermeasures can be taken. On the other hand, if it is narrow, the cross section is bent in the width direction at the back of the projection and the arc is very strong against the vibration direction of the diaphragm. The followability is not expressed, and as a result, the liquid absorption core inhibits the vibration of the diaphragm. Therefore, when the latter method is used, stable operation of the atomizing device using the liquid absorption core cannot be realized when a diaphragm having a dome-shaped protrusion is used.

  Therefore, in view of this problem, the present invention is stable not only when a flat diaphragm is used but also when a diaphragm having a dome-shaped protrusion is used, that is, regardless of the type (spray pattern) of the diaphragm. An object of the present invention is to provide an atomization device that can realize a simple operation with a simple structure.

  The atomizing device according to the present invention as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems is a linearization of the liquid-absorbing core, which is a conventional plate shape, and more specifically, a linear shape thinner than the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm. It was realized by the conversion.

  That is, a diaphragm having a plurality of nozzle holes, a liquid container that stores liquid, and a liquid absorption core that supplies the liquid in the liquid container to the back side of the nozzle hole forming region of the diaphragm by utilizing capillary action And the liquid absorption core has a linear shape thinner than the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm, and an arc portion formed by bending the linear liquid absorption core into a U shape is formed on the diaphragm. It is set as the structure made to contact the back surface side of a nozzle hole formation area.

  According to the atomization apparatus according to the present invention, an arc portion formed by bending a linear liquid absorption core thinner than the nozzle hole forming region of the diaphragm into a U shape is formed on the back side of the nozzle hole forming region of the diaphragm. Even if a diaphragm having a dome-shaped projection is used, the arc portion does not cover the back surface side of the projection portion of the diaphragm, and further disappears by contacting the arc portion itself with the back surface of the projection portion of the diaphragm. It is possible to provide shape followability to the diaphragm that does not drop or decrease. Therefore, not only when using a flat diaphragm, but also when using a diaphragm with dome-shaped protrusions, that is, regardless of the type of diaphragm, stable operation of the atomizer can be realized with a simple structure. Can do.

  Further, in order to maximize the effects as described above, the cross-sectional shape of the linear absorbent core is most preferably circular. In addition, by using a fiber thread such as a kite string for the linear absorbent core, a capillary phenomenon is generated and an arc part is formed, or the arc part has a shape followability to the diaphragm. In addition to having sufficient flexibility (elasticity) to exhibit, the cross-sectional shape is circular, and a linear liquid-absorbing core can be obtained at a very low cost.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a flat diaphragm is used by linearizing the liquid-absorbing core, which has been a conventional plate, and more specifically, by linearizing thinner than the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm. Of course, even when a diaphragm having dome-shaped protrusions is used, that is, regardless of the type of diaphragm, stable operation of the atomizing device can be realized with a simple structure.

It is a top view which shows the atomization apparatus which concerns on Example 1 and Example 2 of this invention. It is an AA line sectional view showing an atomization device concerning Example 1 of the present invention. It is a BB line sectional view showing the atomization device concerning Example 1 of the present invention. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the liquid container of the atomization apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is AA sectional view taken on the line which shows the atomization apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1, 2 and 3 show an atomizing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the left half of the atomizing actuator 10 and the right half of the liquid container 5 in a transparent state. 1 is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the atomizing device 1 includes a diaphragm 2 made of a metal disk such as thin stainless steel having a plurality of nozzle holes 2 a in a predetermined region in the center. The diaphragm 2 is a diaphragm having a dome-shaped protrusion. That is, a dome-shaped protrusion 2c having a convex surface on the upper surface side (front surface side) and a concave surface on the lower surface side (back surface side) is provided in the central nozzle hole forming region 2b of the diaphragm 2, and a plurality of protrusions 2c are provided on the protrusion portion 2c. A nozzle hole 2a is provided. In addition, a circular opening 2d is provided as a nozzle hole forming region 2b in the center of the diaphragm 2, and an orifice plate 2e is attached to the opening 2d. The orifice plate 2e is formed by pressing a thin metal plate made of stainless steel or the like in which a plurality of nozzle holes 2a are processed in a predetermined region in the center, so that the protruding portion 2c and the edge of the protruding portion 2c face outward. The flange portion 2f is formed integrally with the flange portion 2f, the flange portion 2f is attached to the peripheral portion of the opening portion 2d from the lower surface side of the diaphragm 2, and the projection portion 2c is provided in the opening portion 2d.

  Further, the atomizing device 1 includes an annular piezoelectric vibrator 3 as a vibrating means of the diaphragm 2. The piezoelectric vibrator 3 is formed of an annular piezoelectric crystal plate, and thin film electrodes are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric crystal plate. The piezoelectric vibrator 3 is bonded to the upper surface side of the diaphragm 2 concentrically with the piezoelectric vibrator 3 to form a piezoelectric vibrator having a so-called monomoful structure, and the piezoelectric vibrator itself is the atomizing actuator 10. When a voltage is applied between the thin film electrodes of the piezoelectric vibrator 3, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 receives a stress that increases its area, but the lower surface is constrained by the vibration plate 2, so that the piezoelectric vibrator 3 is stretched. Warpage deformation occurs in the diaphragm 2. When the direction of the voltage is reversed, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 tends to become narrow, but since the lower surface is constrained by the diaphragm 2, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 contracts and the diaphragm 2 warps to the opposite side. Therefore, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the surface direction by applying an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency (piezoelectric vibrator, that is, the resonance frequency of the atomizing actuator 10) between the thin film electrodes of the piezoelectric vibrator 3. Then, when the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the plane direction, the diaphragm 2 is flexibly vibrated, and the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 vibrates in the vertical direction.

  The atomization device 1 includes a liquid 4 to be atomized and a liquid container 5 that stores the liquid 4. The liquid container 5 is a bottle-shaped plastic container or glass container having a predetermined volume, and has a cylindrical mouth portion (opening portion) 5a slightly narrower than the lower trunk portion at the upper portion. The liquid 4 can be filled from 5a. Further, a screw 5b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 5a so that an unillustrated overcap (outer cap) can be attached. The liquid container 5 is disposed on the lower side of the atomizing actuator 10 coaxially therewith.

  In addition, the atomizing device 1 includes a liquid absorption core 6 for supplying the liquid 4 in the liquid container 5 to the lower surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 by utilizing capillary action. The liquid absorption core 6 is thin and long linear like a thread. More specifically, the diaphragm 2 is thinner than the nozzle hole forming region 2b of the diaphragm 2. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of this linear absorbent core 6 is circular. Further, a fiber thread is used for the linear liquid absorbing core 6. More specifically, a kite string is used. And this linear liquid absorption core 6 is used in the state which cut | disconnected the indefinite length string into predetermined length, and bent in the U shape. That is, the arc portion 6b of the U-shaped portion 6a that is one end portion of the linear liquid-absorbing core 6 bent into a U-shape is disposed so as to protrude upward on the lower surface side of the protruding portion 2c of the diaphragm 2. Is pressed and contacted with a predetermined pressure. Further, two lead portions extending from both root portions 6c and 6d, which are two straight portions in the U-shaped portion 6a, which are the other end portions of the linear liquid-absorbing core 6 bent into a U-shape. 6e and 6f are inserted into the liquid container 5 and immersed (contacted) in the liquid 4 accommodated therein. As a result, the liquid 4 in the liquid container 5 is supplied to the lower surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 by utilizing capillary action.

  The linear absorbent core 6 is attached to the liquid container 5 in a use state bent into a U shape using an inner plug 7 and a core stopper 8 as a core holder. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the liquid container 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inner plug 7 is a plastic cylindrical shape that is press-fitted into the mouth portion 5 a of the liquid container 5, and a disc-shaped head portion 7 a having a slightly larger diameter is integrally formed at the upper end. . In the center of the inner plug 7, a circular through hole 7 b penetrating between the upper and lower end surfaces is provided. On the other hand, the core stopper 8 is a plastic cylindrical shape that is press-fitted into the through-hole 7b from the lower end surface (tip surface) of the inner plug 7, and a disk-shaped head portion 8a having a slightly larger diameter is integrally formed at the lower end. Has been. A linear core that extends in the axial direction over the entire length of the core stopper 8 is provided at one position on the outer peripheral surface of the core stopper 8 and at another position that is rotated 180 degrees around the axis of the core stopper 8. A groove 8b is provided. The inside of the U-shaped portion 6a of the linear liquid absorbent core 6 so that the arc portion 6b of the U-shaped portion 6a of the linear liquid absorbent core 6 bent into a U-shape and the tip surface of the core stopper 8 face each other. After the core stopper 8 is arranged and both root portions 6c and 6d of the U-shaped portion 6a are accommodated in the two core accommodating grooves 8b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the core stopper 8, The core stopper 8 is press-fitted into the through hole 7 b of the inner plug 7, whereby the U-shaped portion 6 a of the linear liquid absorbent core 6 is fixedly held at the center of the inner plug 7. Then, the inner plug 7 is press-fitted and attached to the mouth portion 5a of the liquid container 5 (preliminarily filled with the liquid 4), so that a linear liquid-absorbing wick is obtained as shown in FIGS. 6 is attached to the liquid container 5 in a use state bent in a U-shape by the inner plug 7 and the core stopper 8.

  The linear liquid-absorbing core 6 attached to the liquid container 5 has both root portions 6c and 6d of the U-shaped portion 6a in the through-hole 7b of the inner plug 7 press-fitted to the mouth portion 5a of the liquid container 5. Further, it is gripped by two core receiving grooves 8 b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the press-fitted core stopper 8 and is fixedly held at the center of the inner plug 7. The arc portion 6b of the U-shaped portion 6a is disposed so as to project upward at the center of the upper end surface of the inner plug 7 so as to straddle the upper end surface (tip surface) of the core stopper 8 in the radial direction. ing. On the other hand, the two lead portions 6e and 6f hang down from the center of the lower end surface of the inner plug 7 into the liquid container 5 so that the respective end portions come into contact with the bottom surface in the liquid container 5, and the liquid in the liquid container 5 4 is immersed (contacted). Thus, the liquid 4 in the liquid container 5 can be sucked up (used up) without leaving. Further, the two lead portions 6 e and 6 f extend to the outer end portion on the bottom surface in the liquid container 5, and the liquid absorption region of the linear liquid absorption core 6 at the bottom in the liquid container 5. Is spread in the surface direction so that even a small amount of liquid 4 remaining at the bottom of the liquid container 5 can be absorbed and sucked up.

  And the atomization apparatus 1 arrange | positions the liquid container 5 attached in the use condition which the linear liquid absorption core 6 bent in the U shape at the lower side of the atomization actuator 10, and it arrange | positions coaxially with it. A circular arc portion 6b formed by bending the liquid-absorbing core 6 into a U shape comes into contact with the lower surface side of the protruding portion 2c of the diaphragm 2 of the atomizing actuator 10 at a predetermined pressure, and the protruding portion of the diaphragm 2 The liquid 4 in the liquid container 5 is supplied to the lower surface side of 2c using a capillary phenomenon.

  The liquid container 5 can be taken out from the lower mounting position of the atomizing actuator 10 to the outside of the atomizing apparatus 1 and remounted at the original position for liquid replenishment or the like.

  When the atomizing apparatus 1 configured in this manner applies an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency between the thin film electrodes of the piezoelectric vibrator 3, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the plane direction with, for example, ultrasonic waves. Then, when the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the plane direction, the diaphragm 2 is flexibly vibrated, and the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 vibrates in the vertical direction. The protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 vibrates in the vertical direction, so that the inside of the liquid container 5 supplied to the lower surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 using the capillary phenomenon of the linear absorbent core 6 is provided. The liquid 4 is sprayed on the upper surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 from the plurality of nozzle holes 2a provided in the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2.

  Here, a circular arc portion 6b formed by bending a linear liquid absorbing core 6 thinner than the protrusion 2c (nozzle hole forming region 2b) of the diaphragm 2 into a U-shape is formed on the lower surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2. Therefore, the arc portion 6b (the contact portion of the linear liquid absorbing core 6 with the diaphragm 2) does not cover the lower surface side of the projection 2c of the diaphragm 2, and the arc portion 6b itself is further attached to the diaphragm 2 The shape followability (elasticity) to the projection 2c of the diaphragm 2 that does not disappear or decrease due to contact with the lower surface of the projection 2c can be provided. And the circular arc part 6b which has shape followability (elasticity) to the projection part 2c of the diaphragm 2 obstructs the vibration of the diaphragm 2 while deforming following the vibration in the vertical direction of the projection part 2c of the diaphragm 2. Without contact with the lower surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2 with a predetermined pressure. Therefore, a stable operation of the atomizing device 1 using the diaphragm 2 having a dome-shaped protrusion can be realized with a simple structure.

  The cross-sectional shape of the linear liquid absorbent core 6 is not circular but may be a regular polygon such as a regular hexagon or a square. However, the linear liquid absorbent core 6 having a circular cross-sectional shape has a regular polygonal cross section. Compared to a linear liquid absorbent core, the contact area with the diaphragm 2 is the smallest, and the shape following ability to the diaphragm 2 is the best, so that the above-described effects can be maximized.

  The linear absorbent core 6 may be a sponge, felt, non-shrinkable cloth processed into a linear shape, or a porous wire made of foamed resin. By using the yarn itself, a capillary phenomenon is generated and a circular arc portion 6b that is bent into a U-shape and becomes a contact portion with the diaphragm 2 is formed, or the circular arc portion 6b has a shape following property to the diaphragm 2. In addition to having sufficient flexibility (elasticity) to exhibit the above, the cross-sectional shape is circular, and the linear absorbent core 6 can be obtained at a very low cost.

  Moreover, when the atomizer 1 uses up the liquid 4 in the liquid container 5, the empty liquid container 5 attached by the user himself / herself to the use state in which the linear liquid absorption core 6 is bent in a U shape. Is replaced with a cartridge-type liquid container 5 that is filled with the liquid 4 and in which the linear absorbent core 6 is bent in a U shape, or is provided in a bottle. The liquid 4 can be injected (refilled) into an empty liquid container 5, or, for example, tap water itself or a liquid mixed with aroma oil can be reinjected into the empty liquid container 5 for use.

  1 and 5 show an atomization device 21 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the left half of the atomizing actuator 30 and the right half of the liquid container 5 in a transparent state. FIG. 1 is a plan view, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA. The atomizing device 1 according to the first embodiment uses the diaphragm 2 having the dome-shaped protrusions, whereas the atomizing device 21 according to the second embodiment uses the flat diaphragm 22 and other than that. The structure / function is the same as that of the atomizing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same structure / function, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the atomizing device 21 includes a diaphragm 22 made of a thin and flat metal disk such as stainless steel having a plurality of nozzle holes 22 a in a predetermined region in the center. The diaphragm 22 is a flat diaphragm. That is, a flat portion 22c is provided in the central nozzle hole forming region 22b of the diaphragm 2 in place of the dome-shaped protrusion 2c, and a plurality of nozzle holes 22a are provided on the flat portion 22c. In addition, a circular opening 22d is provided as a nozzle hole forming region 22b in the center of the diaphragm 22, and an orifice plate 22e is attached to the opening 22d. The orifice plate 22e is made of a thin and flat metal disk such as stainless steel in which a plurality of nozzle holes 22a are processed in a predetermined center region, and is stretched outward around the flat portion 22c and the flat portion 22c. The flange portion 22f is formed integrally with the flange portion 22f, the flange portion 22f is bonded to the peripheral portion of the opening portion 22d from the lower surface side of the diaphragm 22, and the flat portion 22c is provided in the opening portion 22d.

  Further, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 is bonded to the upper surface side of the diaphragm 22 concentrically with the piezoelectric vibrator 3 to form a piezoelectric vibrator having a so-called monomoful structure. The piezoelectric vibrator itself is the atomizing actuator 30. . Therefore, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the surface direction by applying an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency (piezoelectric vibrator, that is, the resonance frequency of the atomizing actuator 30) between the thin film electrodes of the piezoelectric vibrator 3. Then, when the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the plane direction, the vibration plate 22 vibrates and the flat portion 22c of the vibration plate 22 vibrates in the vertical direction.

  And the atomization apparatus 21 arrange | positions the liquid container 5 attached in the use condition which the linear liquid absorption core 6 bent in the U shape on the lower side of the atomization actuator 30, and it arrange | positions coaxially with it. A circular arc portion 6b formed by bending the liquid-absorbing core 6 into a U shape comes into contact with the lower surface side of the flat portion 22c of the diaphragm 22 of the atomizing actuator 30 at a predetermined pressure, and the flat portion of the diaphragm 22 The liquid 4 in the liquid container 5 is supplied to the lower surface side of 22c using a capillary phenomenon.

  When the atomizing device 21 configured as described above applies an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency between the thin film electrodes of the piezoelectric vibrator 3, the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the plane direction with, for example, ultrasonic waves. Then, when the piezoelectric vibrator 3 expands and contracts in the plane direction, the vibration plate 22 vibrates and the flat portion 22c of the vibration plate 22 vibrates in the vertical direction. And the flat part 22c of the diaphragm 22 vibrates in the vertical direction, so that the inside of the liquid container 5 supplied by using the capillary phenomenon of the linear absorbent core 6 on the lower surface side of the flat part 22c of the diaphragm 22 is provided. The liquid 4 is sprayed on the upper surface side of the flat portion 22 c of the vibration plate 22 from the plurality of nozzle holes 22 a provided in the flat portion 22 c of the vibration plate 22.

  Here, a circular arc portion 6b formed by bending a linear liquid absorbing core 6 thinner than the flat portion 22c (nozzle hole forming region 22b) of the diaphragm 22 into a U-shape is formed on the lower surface side of the protrusion 2c of the diaphragm 2. Therefore, the circular arc portion 6b itself can have shape followability (elasticity) to the flat portion 22c of the diaphragm 22 that does not disappear or deteriorate due to contact with the lower surface side of the flat portion 22c of the diaphragm 22. . And the circular arc part 6b which has the shape followability (elasticity) to the flat part 22c of the diaphragm 22 inhibits the vibration of the diaphragm 22 while deforming following the vertical vibration of the flat part 22c of the diaphragm 22. Without contact, the lower surface side of the flat portion 22c of the diaphragm 22 is contacted with a predetermined pressure. Therefore, the stable operation of the atomizing device 21 using the flat diaphragm 22 can be realized with a simple structure.

  As is clear from the first and second embodiments, the diaphragm having a plurality of nozzle holes, the liquid container for storing the liquid, and the liquid in the liquid container on the lower surface side of the nozzle hole forming region of the diaphragm are capillary action. A liquid-absorbing core that is supplied by using the liquid-absorbing core, and the liquid-absorbing core is formed in a line shape thinner than the nozzle hole forming region of the diaphragm, and the linear liquid-absorbing core is bent into a U shape. Even when a diaphragm having a dome-shaped projection is used, the arc portion does not cover the rear surface side of the projection portion of the diaphragm, by contacting the arc portion with the rear surface side of the nozzle hole forming region of the diaphragm. The arc portion itself can have shape followability to the diaphragm that does not disappear or deteriorate due to contact with the back surface of the protrusion of the diaphragm. Therefore, not only when using a flat diaphragm, but also when using a diaphragm with dome-shaped projections, that is, regardless of the type (spray pattern) of the diaphragm, the stable operation of the atomizer can be simplified. Can be realized.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is not limited to it, Various changes can be implemented within the range which does not change the summary of this invention. The flat diaphragm 2 is composed of a thin and flat metal disk such as stainless steel in which a plurality of nozzle holes 2a are processed in a predetermined region in the center, and an opening 22d is provided at the center of the diaphragm 22, The flat part 22c may be provided directly in the center of the diaphragm 22 without attaching the orifice plate 22e to the part 22d. On the other hand, the diaphragm 2 having a dome-shaped protrusion is formed by pressing a thin and flat metal disc (flat diaphragm 22) such as stainless steel in which a plurality of nozzle holes 2a are processed in a predetermined region in the center. The projection 2c may be provided directly in the center of the diaphragm 2 without providing the opening 2d in the center of the diaphragm 2 or attaching the orifice plate 2e to the opening 2d. The piezoelectric vibrator 3 may be one in which a pair of thin film electrodes is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical piezoelectric crystal plate. The atomizing actuators 10 and 30 may be configured as so-called bimorphic piezoelectric vibrators in which the piezoelectric vibrators 3 are bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the diaphragms 2 and 22, respectively. Further, the two lead portions 6e and 6f formed by bending the linear liquid absorbing core 6 into a U-shape are sucked up (used up) without leaving the liquid 4 in the liquid container 5, both of which are liquid. Although it is immersed in the liquid 4 in the container 5, even a single liquid does not affect the liquid supply to the diaphragms 2, 22, that is, the atomization performance. Further, not only one linear absorbent core 6 but two may be used. That is, four core receiving grooves 8b are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the core stopper 8 at an interval of 90 degrees, and the core stopper 8 and the inner plug 7 are used, one of which is U-shaped in the AA line cross section. In the bent state, the other one is bent in a U-shape in the cross section of the line B-B, and is attached to the liquid container 5 respectively, and the two linear absorbent cores 6 are bent in the U-shape, respectively. Are formed on the lower surface side of the nozzle hole forming regions 2b and 22b of the diaphragms 2 and 22 in a cross shape in plan view, and the upper arc part 6b is disposed on the nozzles of the diaphragms 2 and 22 You may make it contact the lower surface side of the hole formation area | region 2b, 22b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 21 Atomizer 2, 22 Diaphragm 2a, 22a Nozzle hole 2c Protrusion part 4 Liquid 5 Liquid container 6 Linear liquid absorption core 6b Arc part

Claims (3)

  A diaphragm having a plurality of nozzle holes, a liquid container for storing liquid, and a liquid absorption core for supplying the liquid in the liquid container to the back surface side of the diaphragm by utilizing a capillary phenomenon. The liquid core has a linear shape thinner than the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm, and an arc portion formed by bending the linear liquid absorption core into a U shape forms a back surface side of the nozzle hole formation region of the diaphragm An atomizing device characterized in that the atomizing device is brought into contact with.   The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the linear liquid absorbing core is circular.   The atomization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fiber thread is used as the linear liquid absorption core.

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