JP4563696B2 - Atomization system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an atomization system that atomizes a liquid by vibrating the vibrator.

  Some atomizers using a vibrator such as an ultrasonic vibrator atomize the liquid impregnated in the impregnated body by causing the vibrator to contact and vibrate the impregnated body impregnated with the liquid. . As this type of conventional technology, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-10146

  In the case of changing the liquid to be atomized with this kind of atomizer, conventionally, it has been common to replace the tank for storing the liquid or to replace the atomizer itself including the battery and the drive circuit.

  However, when replacing the tank, the liquid used before the replacement may remain in the impregnated body, tank, etc. In this case, the liquid before replacement and the liquid after replacement are mixed. There was a problem that. In addition, the operation of replacing the tank itself is troublesome, and liquid in the tank may be spilled out during replacement.

  Moreover, when providing a battery and a drive circuit for every atomizer, there also existed a problem that each atomizer will become large and heavy correspondingly.

  An atomization system according to the present invention is an atomization system including a base unit and an atomization unit that can be attached to and detached from the base unit. The atomization unit includes an impregnation body that impregnates a liquid, and the impregnation body. A vibrator that atomizes the liquid impregnated by abutting and vibrating, the base unit including a drive circuit, and when the atomizing unit is attached to the base unit, the vibrator is It is preferable to be driven by the drive circuit.

  In the atomization system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the base unit further includes a battery mounting portion to which a battery serving as a power source of the drive circuit can be attached and detached.

  In the atomization system according to the present invention, it is preferable that an AC / DC converter can be connected to or built in the base unit.

  In the atomization system according to the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of atomization units can be attached to the base unit.

  In the atomization system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the base unit further selectively switches the atomization unit that operates.

  In the atomization system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive circuit can drive a plurality of atomization units in parallel.

  A base unit for an atomization system according to the present invention includes at least the drive circuit.

Hereinafter, reference embodiments and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of an atomization system 100 according to a reference embodiment of the present invention.

  An atomization system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a base unit 50 and an atomization unit 10. The atomization unit 10 is detachably held on the base unit 50. The base unit 50 includes at least a drive circuit 52, and the atomization unit 10 includes at least the vibrator 12 and the impregnated body 28. The vibrator 12 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 52 via the connection terminals 54b and 54m with the atomization unit 10 mounted on the base unit 50, and is driven by the drive circuit 52. Yes.

  With this configuration, the plurality of atomizing units 10 can be exchanged and used by one base unit 50. As described above, in the atomizer configured to change the liquid to be atomized by replacing the tank, the liquid before replacement remaining in the tank, the impregnated body, and the vibrator may be mixed with the liquid after replacement. is there. In addition, when the tank is replaced, liquid in the tank may spill out. On the other hand, such a problem does not occur in the configuration of FIG. Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the drive circuit 52 is provided in the base unit 50 and is shared by the plurality of atomizing units 10. Therefore, the merit that the atomizing unit 10 can be reduced in size and weight accordingly. There is also.

  In the example of FIG. 1, a battery mounting portion (for example, battery box) 56 (FIG. 3) or the like is provided in the base unit 50 so that a battery 58 as a power source for the drive circuit 52 can be mounted. This is effective when the atomization system 100 is configured as a portable system. Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the external connection terminal 60 is provided in the base unit 50, and the power supply of the drive circuit 52 is obtained from a device external to the base unit 50 (for example, an AC / DC converter [not shown] such as an AC adapter). I can do it. However, these are merely examples, and it is not always necessary to provide the battery mounting portion 56 and the external connection terminal 60. In the example of FIG. 1, the atomizing unit 10 includes the tank 14, but it is not always necessary to provide this, and it is possible to use an atomizing unit that atomizes the liquid stored in the impregnated body 28. It is.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one implementation of the atomization system 100 according to this preferred embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization system 100 of FIG. 2 (arrow A in FIG. 2)

  The base unit 50 is provided with a mounting pocket 62, and the atomizing unit 10 is inserted into the mounting pocket 62 in a predetermined posture and mounted. However, this is merely an example, and other configurations for gripping the atomizing unit 10 may be employed. The connection terminal 54b is exposed from the surface of the base unit 50 on the mounting pocket 62 side. As shown in FIG. 3, when the atomization unit 10 is mounted in the mounting pocket 62, the connection terminal 54b and the connection terminal 54m of the atomization unit 10 come into contact with each other, and the vibrator 12 (see FIG. 2 and 3) and the drive circuit 52 in the base unit 50 are electrically connected. Here, in this example, the connection terminal 54b on the base unit 50 side protrudes to the exposed side, that is, the connection terminal 54m side from the position in contact with the connection terminal 54m in a free state where the atomization unit 10 is not mounted. . When the atomization unit 10 is mounted, the connection terminal 54b is pushed into the back side by the connection terminal 54m, and a force that the connection terminals 54b and 54m press each other by the elasticity of the connection terminal 54m is applied. Yes. However, this is only an example, and a configuration in which an elastic body such as a spring or rubber is separately provided and any one of the connection terminals is biased toward the other may be employed. Further, the atomizing unit 10 is mounted on the base unit 50 in a posture that inclines with the connection terminal 54m as the lower side. With this configuration, the connection terminal 54 m of the atomization unit 10 is urged toward the connection terminal 54 b of the base unit 50 by gravity acting on the atomization unit 10. With the configuration as described above, the connection terminals 54 m and 54 b come into contact with each other more reliably, and more reliable conduction is ensured between the vibrator 12 and the drive circuit 52.

Next, the configuration and operation of the atomization unit 10 will be described. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the atomizing unit 10 according to the reference embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the atomizing unit 10 of FIG.

  An atomization unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 covers a tank 14 that stores a liquid such as a drug, a base portion 16 that functions as a cap of the tank 14 and supports the vibrator 12, and a base portion 16 that covers the base portion 16. 16 and a cover body 18 that forms a storage chamber 20 for storing the vibrator 12. In this example, the ejection passage 24 is formed in a part of the cover body 18 and the base portion 16. The ejection passage 24 communicates the storage chamber 20 and the external space 22 and becomes an atomized liquid passage. The outlet of the ejection passage 24 is a fog outlet 24a.

  A liquid reservoir 26 for the atomized liquid is formed in the tank 14, and at least a part of the impregnated body 28 is immersed in the liquid reservoir 26. The impregnated body 28 includes a material (for example, a water-absorbing material such as felt, string, thread, paper, sponge, etc.) that impregnates the liquid by capillary action. The liquid is supplied to the contact surface 28a. In this example, the lower end of the impregnated body 28 is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom portion in the tank 14, and the upper end is disposed in the ejection passage 24 above the base portion 16, and the through hole 30 provided in the base portion 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The impregnated body 28 penetrates. In this example, the specifications (material, configuration, exposure length, etc.) do not cause the exposed portion to collapse or the contact surface 28a to be depressed as much as possible even when the pressing force by the vibrator 12 is applied to the contact surface 28a. , Elastic modulus, etc.) is selected or set. In this example, the inner diameter of the through hole 30 is set to an appropriate diameter and shape that matches the outer diameter of the impregnated body 28, and the impregnated body 28 is inserted into the through hole 30 and gripped. You may make it hold | grip by the structure of. Moreover, you may use the impregnation body 28 of the other shape which is not cylindrical.

  The vibrator 12 in contact with the contact surface 28a of the impregnated body 28 vibrates, so that the contact surface 28a and the surrounding liquid are atomized. As the vibrator 12, for example, a Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator can be used. The vibrator 12 has a shape of a so-called rotating body in which a peripheral edge of a cross section perpendicular to the central axis is circular, and a rear portion of the tapered horn 32 formed by cutting or pressing (the other end side of the tip; the root side) ) Is attached (for example, bonded) with a piezoelectric body 34. An annular groove 36 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the vibrator 12 so as to have an inner shape. The annular groove 36 is provided at a position of a node of a vibration mode that is mainly used among standing waves generated by vibration in the thickness direction of the vibrator 12. By supporting the vibrator 12 using the annular groove 36, a loss of vibration energy of the vibrator 12 is suppressed. At this time, the vibrator 12 is preferably fixedly supported by the support member 38, but may be supported while allowing rotation and sliding within a predetermined range as appropriate.

  In this example, the vibrator 12 is arranged so that the end region 12 a at the tip of the horn 32 contacts the impregnated body 28. At this time, the end region 12a becomes an antinode in the vibration mode. That is, the vibration of the vibrator 12 becomes abdominal at a portion that is in contact with the upper end surface of the impregnated body 28, that is, a portion where the liquid is atomized.

Further, in this example, the peripheral edge E of the end region 12 a is disposed so as to contact the contact surface 28 a of the impregnated body 28. This is meaningful from the viewpoint of suppressing energy loss. Here, if the central portion of the end region 12a of the vibrator 12 (ie, the portion near the central axis) is in contact with the contact surface 28a, the central portion has the largest amplitude in the end region 12a. Since it is a site | part, in that case, compared with the case where site | parts other than a center part contact | abut, the loss of vibration energy will become large. That is, in this reference embodiment, energy loss is suppressed by bringing a part (for example, the peripheral edge E) off the center axis of the vibrator 12 into contact with the contact surface 28a of the impregnated body.

  In this example, the support member 38 is formed by punching and bending a single conductor (for example, a metal conductor such as stainless steel). One end side of the support member 38 is bent upward, and two arms are formed at that portion. The support member 38 sandwiches the vibrator 12 by inserting the inner edge of the arm into the annular groove 36 of the vibrator 12. Further, the support member 38 is configured as a conductor, and the drive circuit 52 (FIGS. 1 and 3) of the vibrator 12 and the electrode on one side of the piezoelectric body (vibrator body) 34 (in this example, on the horn 32 side). It functions as a part of the conducting wire that electrically connects the electrode). In this example, the support member 38 is electrically connected to the horn 32 side electrode of the piezoelectric body 34 at the inner edge of the arm 38a. A region located on the other end side and bent downward is connected to a connection terminal 54m (FIGS. 1 and 3) for ensuring electrical connection between the electrode and the drive circuit 52. In this example, the other electrode of the piezoelectric body 34 is connected via a conducting wire 44 (further via a connection terminal 54m (FIGS. 1 and 3) configured as a metal plate different from the support member 38). The drive circuit 52 is connected.

The liquid atomized by the vibration of the vibrator 12 is discharged from the ejection passage 24 to the external space 22 through the fog outlet 24a. At this time, the atomized liquid is given kinetic energy for moving the ejection passage 24 toward the external space 22 by the vibration of the vibrator 12. However, when a portion (hereinafter referred to as a contact portion) where the vibrator 12 and the contact surface 28a contact is disposed in the storage chamber 20, a part of the atomized liquid is stored in the storage chamber. It is also assumed that it stays within 20. Therefore, in this preferred embodiment, by disposing the abutment into ejection passage 24, thereby suppressing it. Specifically, in this example, the impregnated body 28 is disposed so as to extend vertically at a position between the inlet 24b on the storage chamber 20 side of the ejection passage 24 and the mist jet outlet 24a on the outer space 22 side. The vibrator 12 is arranged so that the peripheral edge E is in contact with the approximate center of the contact surface 28a at the upper end of the body 28.

  Further, in this example, an intake passage 40 that takes in external air into the storage chamber 20 is formed in the cover body 18 that separates the storage chamber 20 from the external space 22. By providing the intake passage 40, an air flow is formed through the intake passage 40, the storage chamber 20, and the ejection passage 24, and the liquid atomized at the contact portion is discharged more smoothly from the mist ejection port 24 a. Become so. In this example, an exhaust passage 42 for discharging the air rising in the storage chamber 20 to the external space 22 is formed in the cover body 18 that separates the top of the storage chamber 20 from the external space 22. An exhaust passage 42 is also formed in a region above the contact portion. Since some of the applied electric energy is not converted into vibration energy and warmed air is discharged from these exhaust passages 42, a part of the atomized air is accommodated. Staying in the chamber 20 is suppressed.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the base unit 50a according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same component contained in the reference form mentioned above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of atomizing units 10 can be attached to one base unit 50a (however, the atomizing units 10 are not shown in FIG. 6). In the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of atomizing units 10 share one drive circuit 52. The control circuit 64 a selectively switches the connection terminal 54 b connected to the drive circuit 52 according to a selection instruction signal input from the input unit (for example, a push button) 66. By this operation, the vibrator 12 of the selected atomization unit 10 is supplied to the drive circuit 52 via the control circuit 64a and the connection terminal 54b (further, the connection terminal 54m of the atomization unit 10 not shown in FIG. 6). Connected and mist is diffused by the vibrator 12.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the base unit 50b according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same component as the reference form and embodiment mentioned above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Also in this embodiment, a plurality of atomizing units 10 can be mounted on one base unit 50b (illustration of the atomizing unit 10 is omitted in FIG. 7). However, in the example of FIG. 7, the base unit 50 b is provided with a plurality of drive circuits 52, and one drive circuit 52 is assigned to each vibrator 12 of each atomization unit 10. The control circuit 64b selectively switches the drive circuit 52 to be operated (turned on) in accordance with a selection instruction signal input from an input unit (for example, a push button) 66. With this operation, only the selected drive circuit 52 operates, and the mist is diffused by the vibrator 12 of the atomization unit 10 connected to the drive circuit 52. At this time, a plurality of drive circuits 52 may be driven simultaneously. In that case, fog can be simultaneously diffused from the plurality of atomizing units 10. As an example, when the liquid is a fragrance, it is possible to generate a fragrance prepared according to the user's preference. As another example, when a plurality of atomizing units 10 that atomize the same liquid are mounted, the flow rate of the fog can be increased or decreased.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the vibrator and the impregnated body are provided in the atomization unit, and the drive circuit is provided in the base unit. Therefore, different liquids are not mixed in the atomization unit, and the tank The liquid to be atomized can be changed smoothly without replacing the. In addition, this invention is not limited to the illustration in the said embodiment, A various modified example is included.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the atomization system concerning the reference form of this invention. It is a figure (perspective view) which shows one implementation example of the atomization system concerning the reference form of this invention. It is a figure (sectional view; arrow A of FIG. 2) which shows the example of 1 implementation of the atomization system concerning the reference form of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the atomization unit used with the atomization system concerning the reference form of this invention. It is a perspective view of the atomization unit of FIG. It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a base unit according to the implementation embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the base unit concerning another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Atomization unit, 12 vibrator | oscillator, 12a edge area | region, 14 tank, 16 base | substrate part, 18 cover body, 20 storage chamber, 22 external space, 24 ejection passage, 24a mist ejection outlet, 24b inlet, 26 liquid pool, 28 Impregnated body, 28a contact surface, 28b impregnated portion, 28c covering portion, 28d passage, 30 through hole, 32 horn, 34 piezoelectric body, 36 annular groove, 38 support member, 40 intake passage, 42 exhaust passage, 44 lead wire, 50 50a, 50b base unit, 52 drive circuit, 54b, 54m connection terminal, 56 battery mounting part, 58 battery, 60 external connection terminal, 62 mounting pocket, 64a, 64b control circuit, 66 input part, 100 atomization system.

Claims (5)

An atomization system comprising a base unit and an atomization unit detachably attached to the base unit,
The atomizing unit includes an impregnating body that impregnates the liquid, and a vibrator that atomizes the liquid impregnated by abutting the impregnating body and vibrating.
The base unit includes a drive circuit;
When the atomizing unit is attached to the base unit, the vibrator is driven by the drive circuit ,
A plurality of atomizing units can be attached to the base unit,
The base unit further includes an input unit for selectively switching an operating atomization unit.
An atomization system characterized by that.   The atomization system according to claim 1, wherein the base unit further includes a battery mounting portion to which a battery serving as a power source of the drive circuit is detachable.   The atomization system according to claim 1, wherein an AC / DC converter is connectable to or built in the base unit. The atomization system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive circuit is capable of driving a plurality of atomization units in parallel. Base unit for atomization system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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