JP6356588B2 - Ultrasonic vibrator holding structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer used in an atomizer such as a fragrance fragrance or a humidifier.

As an atomizing device such as a fragrance fragrance or a humidifier, an apparatus that atomizes the liquid by applying ultrasonic vibration to a liquid such as a liquid fragrance or water by a vibrator using a piezoelectric material is known.
For example, the applicant firstly forms a liquid container, a liquid absorbing member that absorbs the liquid, and an ultrasonic transducer that is provided in contact with the liquid absorbing member and ultrasonically vibrates the liquid absorbing member to atomize the liquid. As an ultrasonic vibrator used in the ultrasonic atomizer, a piezoelectric body, and a hollow portion formed between the piezoelectric body and the piezoelectric body are fixed to the piezoelectric body. There is also disclosed a metal cover (horn) that has a flat shape, and the metal cover (horn) forms a vibration surface that vibrates in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic transducer (Patent Document 1). reference).

As a method for supporting a piezoelectric body, Patent Document 2 discloses that a piezoelectric body or a plate-like body fixed to the piezoelectric body is sandwiched between a surface portion of a first support member and a surface portion of a second support member. It has been proposed to reduce the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration by forming a notch in at least one of the surface portions while holding the same.
Patent Document 3 discloses a piezoelectric vibrator having a piezoelectric body (piezoelectric actuator) and a plate-like body (orifice plate) fixed to the piezoelectric body, as a spring (coil compression spring), a wire (support wire), and the like. It is described that it is sandwiched between and supported.

JP 2012-130903 A International Publication WO2008 / 129627 JP-T-2006-507118

By the way, when the ultrasonic vibrator is fixed to the atomizer, it is necessary to fix the ultrasonic vibrator so that the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator is not hindered.
In Patent Document 1, as a method for fixing an ultrasonic vibrator, a flange portion extending from a piezoelectric body of a metal cover in the ultrasonic vibrator is fitted into a holding portion provided on an inclined surface of an atomizer and fixed. Is described. However, when the flange portion of the metal cover is fitted and fixed to a holding portion made of, for example, a synthetic resin, the present inventors have found that the metal cover is in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric body (perpendicular to the piezoelectric body thickness direction). It was found that the synthetic resin composing the holding portion is rubbed easily to generate a rubbing sound, and the rubbing sound is likely to become louder as the wear of the synthetic resin proceeds.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the plate-like body fixed to the piezoelectric body is fixed without providing a gap between the piezoelectric body and the piezoelectric body, and the piezoelectric body is attached to a high band in the MHz band. Therefore, the generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed by forming a notch. On the other hand, however, the ultrasonic vibrator used in the present invention includes a metal cover fixed to the piezoelectric body so that a hollow portion is formed between the piezoelectric body and the metal cover vibrates in the thickness direction. Since the ultrasonic vibrator forming the surface has a low vibration frequency band and a large vibration, it is difficult to suppress the rubbing sound by the technique of Patent Document 2.

In Patent Document 3, the wiring can be directly fixed to the piezoelectric body. However, in the ultrasonic vibrator used in the present invention, a metal cover having a hollow portion is fixed to the piezoelectric body, and the electrode is directly fixed to the piezoelectric body. In addition, since the metal cover vibrates greatly, when the electrodes are directly fixed to the metal cover with solder or the like, problems such as easy connection of the solder due to the influence of vibration occur.
In addition, there exists a bolting Langevin element as another form of ultrasonic transducer | vibrator which generate | occur | produces an ultrasonic vibration. The bolted Langevin element has a flange at a portion where vibration is suppressed. By fixing the flange, generation of rubbing noise can be suppressed, but there is a drawback that it is difficult to reduce the thickness.

  The subject of this invention is related with the holding structure of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator which can eliminate the fault which the prior art mentioned above has.

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic vibrator holding structure in which an ultrasonic vibrator is held by a vibrator arrangement portion of an atomizer, and the ultrasonic vibrator includes a flat piezoelectric body and the piezoelectric body. A metal cover fixed on one side, having a hollow portion between the metal cover and the piezoelectric body, the metal cover forming a vibration surface that vibrates in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic transducer; The vibrator arrangement part includes a lower support part that supports the ultrasonic vibrator from the piezoelectric body side, and an upper support part that presses the ultrasonic vibrator from the metal cover side. Provided is a holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer in which a conductive buffer material is interposed between an upper electrode located on a support portion side and a peripheral portion located outside the hollow portion in the metal cover. It is.

  According to the ultrasonic vibrator holding structure of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of rubbing sound due to the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator while stably holding the ultrasonic vibrator without hindering the vibration. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an atomizing device provided with a holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 (b), and FIG. ) Is a plan view of the holding structure as viewed from the opening side of the vibrator arrangement portion [upper side in FIG. 2 (a)]. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an ultrasonic transducer used in the holding structure shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are views showing a state in which the liquid container is arranged in the liquid container arrangement portion of the atomizing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5A is a plan view, and FIG. ) Is a front view. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a liquid container. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the liquid container, FIG. 8B is a view showing the inflow rate suppressing member used in the liquid container shown in FIG. c) is a figure which shows the disk which comprises the inflow velocity suppression member shown in FIG.8 (b).

Below, this invention is demonstrated based on the preferable embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an atomizing device provided with a holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention. An atomizing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a fragrance fragrance, and an ultrasonic transducer 3 is held in a mode shown in FIG. 2 on a transducer placement portion 5 provided on a main body 2 made of synthetic resin. .

More specifically, the atomization apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a synthetic resin main body 2 provided with a vibrator placement section 5 and a liquid container placement section 23, and a drive circuit (not shown) for the ultrasonic vibrator 3. 4), as shown in FIG. 4, from the liquid supply part 43 of the liquid container 4 arranged in the liquid container arrangement part 23, to the vibration surface 3a (see FIG. 2) of the ultrasonic transducer 3 A liquid such as a liquid fragrance is supplied and the liquid is atomized by ultrasonic vibration.
The liquid container placement part 23 has a support guide 26 that contacts the liquid container 4 and supports the liquid container 4 so as not to fall down, and a tip part placement space 27 in which the tip part 41 of the liquid container 4 is placed. ing. The transducer arrangement portion 5 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 3 is formed in the main body 2 immediately below the tip portion arrangement space 27.

The ultrasonic transducer 3 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the ultrasonic transducer used in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic transducer 3 is arranged on a flat piezoelectric member 31 and one surface 31a of the piezoelectric member 31 and fixed. The metal cover 32 is provided, and a hollow portion is provided between the metal cover 32 and the piezoelectric body 31. As described above, the metal cover 32 is fixed to the piezoelectric body 31 so as to form the hollow portion 33 between the metal body 32 and the metal cover 32 vibrates in the thickness direction Z of the ultrasonic transducer 3. The vibration surface 3a is formed.
More specifically, the metal cover 32 is formed by press-molding a metal plate, and a concave portion 32a for forming the hollow portion 33 is formed in the central portion, and around the concave portion 32a, A bent portion 32b having a cross-sectional shape along the corner of one surface 31a of the piezoelectric body 31 is formed. The bent portion 32b has a portion along one surface 31a of the piezoelectric body 31 and a portion along the peripheral surface of the piezoelectric body 31, and one or both of these portions are coupled to the piezoelectric body 31 with an adhesive. Preferably, at least a portion along the one surface 31a of the piezoelectric body 31 in the bent portion 32b is coupled. As the adhesive for bonding the metal cover 32 to the piezoelectric body 31, various known adhesives can be used. For example, a thermosetting adhesive is used.

The portion of the metal cover 32 that faces the piezoelectric body 31 via the hollow portion 33 mainly moves in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body 31 as the piezoelectric body 31 vibrates in the in-plane direction (direction orthogonal to the thickness direction). The vibration portion 3a vibrates in the thickness direction Z of the ultrasonic transducer 3 and vibrates the liquid supplied from the liquid container 4 or the like described above.
Further, the metal cover 32 has a flange portion 32 c extending outward from the peripheral edge portion of the piezoelectric body 31. The flange portion 32 c extends substantially in parallel with the in-plane direction (direction orthogonal to the thickness direction) of the piezoelectric body 31.

In the ultrasonic transducer 3 shown in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric body 31, the metal cover 32, and the vibration surface 3 a are all circular in plan view, and the metal cover 32 is provided only on one side 31 a of the piezoelectric body 31. . Further, the vibration surface 3a has a flat plate shape and has an inclined surface around it.
The piezoelectric body 31 and the metal cover 32 may be joined using only an adhesive, but instead of the adhesive or together with the adhesive, screws, springs, the piezoelectric body 31, the peripheral portion, and the metal cover. Other coupling means such as a fitting member that fits integrally with the peripheral portion of 32 may be used.

As the piezoelectric body 31, for example, one made of titanate / lead zirconate (PZT), barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ), titanate (PT), lead metaniobate (PN), or the like is used. The piezoelectric body 31 is flat and has a large dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness with respect to the thickness t. For example, the ratio (L / t) of the diameter L (“maximum length” if not circular in plan view) to the thickness t (see FIG. 3) is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 5 or more, and preferably 40 or less, more preferably 30 or less. The thickness t is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less, more preferably 0.7 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The “maximum length” is the length of the longest straight line that can be drawn inside the contour of the piezoelectric body 31 when the piezoelectric body 31 is viewed in plan from the direction along its thickness direction. The reason why the piezoelectric body 31 is flat is that the vibration surface 3a is formed in combination with the metal cover 32 to obtain the ultrasonic vibrator 3 that is thin but excellent in handleability even though the amplitude is large.
As the piezoelectric body 31, for example, a commercially available product such as a piezoelectric body TDSE20 manufactured by Tamura Corporation can be used, and the commercially available piezoelectric body is polished to a thickness of about 1 mm, and in the in-plane direction (diameter direction). It is also preferable to use with increased vibration.

The metal cover 32 is made of a conductive metal, and even if it is thin, it has mechanical strength and can be preferably used with strength against corrosion. For example, a stainless steel plate (SUS), The thing made from titanium etc. can be used. A plate-like metal can also be formed into a three-dimensional shape that creates a hollow portion between it and the piezoelectric body by forging or the like.
Moreover, the metal cover 32 can also use what was formed in the three-dimensional shape as shown in FIG. 3 by cutting or casting. The metal cover 32 has a thickness (thickness not including a hollow portion) that forms the vibration surface 3a, preferably 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less, more preferably 0.15 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic transducer 3 has a flat shape as a whole. For example, the diameter L of the piezoelectric body 31 with respect to the thickness T (see FIG. 3) The ratio (L / T) of “maximum length”) is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 4 or more, and preferably 10 or less, more preferably 7 or less. The thickness T is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The “maximum length” is the length of the longest straight line that can be drawn inside the outline of the ultrasonic transducer 3 when viewed in plan from the direction along the thickness direction.
When the ultrasonic transducer 3 has a flat shape, the depth of the transducer placement portion 5 can be made relatively shallow, and the ultrasonic transducer 3 can be easily incorporated into the atomization apparatus 1.

The ultrasonic transducer holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the ultrasonic transducer 3 described above is held in the transducer placement unit 5 in the atomizing device 1 described above.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the transducer placement unit 5 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 3 includes a lower support unit 51 that supports the ultrasonic transducer 3 from the piezoelectric body 31 side. And an upper support 53 for pressing the ultrasonic transducer 3 from the metal cover 32 side. The ultrasonic transducer 3 is held in the transducer placement unit 5 while being sandwiched between the lower support unit 51 and the upper support unit 53.
The vibrator arrangement portion 5 is formed in a concave shape having a bottom portion 51 and a peripheral surface portion 52, and the bottom portion 51 functions as the lower support portion 51 described above. The vibrator arrangement portion 5 has an opening 54 that opens toward the tip portion arrangement space 27 at the center of the upper surface portion facing the bottom portion 51. The vibrator arrangement portion 5 has an overhang portion 53 that protrudes from the peripheral surface portion 52 toward the center of the opening portion 54 around the opening portion 54, and the overhang portion 53 serves as the above-described upper support portion 53. Function. The overhang portion 53 (upper support portion) is preferably formed in an annular shape around the opening 54.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the vibrator arrangement portion 5 forms a recess having a bottom 51 on the upper surface of the member 21 disposed below the tip end arrangement space 27, and the opening periphery of the recess It is formed by fitting the upper support portion forming member 22 into the notch portion 21a for fitting provided in the portion. The upper support portion forming member 22 has an annular shape in plan view, and has a relatively thin inner peripheral portion 22a that forms the above-described overhang portion 53 (upper support portion) and an outer periphery that is thicker than the inner peripheral portion 22a. Side portion 22b. The upper support portion forming member 22 is fixed on the member 21 after the ultrasonic transducer 3, the conductive buffer material 7, the upper electrode 6, and the like are disposed. The upper support part forming member 22 may be fixed so as not to be removable by an adhesive or fusion, or may be fixed so as to be removable by fitting, screwing or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the ultrasonic transducer 3 in the holding structure of the present embodiment is supported on the piezoelectric body 31 side from below by the lower support portion 51 and supports the metal cover 32 side on the upper side. By being pressed by the portion 53, it is stably held in the vibrator arrangement portion 5.
In a state where the ultrasonic transducer 3 is held in such a manner, the upper electrode 53 is disposed between the upper support 53 and the flange 32c (peripheral portion) positioned outside the hollow portion 33 in the metal cover 32. 6 and the conductive cushioning material 7 are interposed in this order. “In this order” means that the upper electrode 6 is positioned on the upper support portion 53 side and the conductive cushioning material 7 is positioned on the peripheral portion side of the metal cover 32. In the holding structure of the present embodiment, the peripheral portion of the metal cover 32 is a portion located on the outer side of the hollow portion 33 in a plan view, and is preferably outside the peripheral portion of the piezoelectric body 31 as in the present embodiment. It is the flange part 32c extended in the direction.

  Similarly, the lower electrode 6A and the lower conductive buffer material 7A are interposed in this order between the lower support portion 51 and the piezoelectric body 31 of the ultrasonic transducer 3. “In this order” means that the lower electrode 6A is located on the lower support portion 51 side, and the lower conductive buffer material 7A is located on the piezoelectric body 31 side.

The upper electrode 6, the conductive cushioning material 7 and the flange portion 32c in the present embodiment are all formed in an annular shape. The conductive cushioning material 7 preferably overlaps the flange portion 32c over the entire circumference of the flange portion 32c. It is preferable that the upper electrode 6 also overlaps with the flange portion 32c over the entire circumference of the flange portion 32c. The conductive buffer material 7 is preferably disposed over the entire region where the upper electrode 6 and the flange portion 32c overlap.
Further, the upper electrode 6 and the conductive buffer material 7 in this embodiment are both sheet-like or plate-like bodies having a flat shape, and the inner peripheral edges 6a and 7a and the outer peripheral edges 6b and 7b are circular. is there. The sheet-like or plate-like upper electrode 6 may be divided and arranged at a plurality of locations surrounding the hollow portion 33.
In addition, the metal cover 32 in the present embodiment has a flat shape, which makes it easy to form the flat ultrasonic transducer 3. In addition, the lower electrode 6A and the lower conductive buffer material 7A in the present embodiment are also flat sheets or plate-like bodies, and the outer peripheral edge is circular.

The upper electrode 6 and the lower electrode 6A in the present embodiment are each made of a sheet or plate made of metal having conductivity such as copper or brass. The upper electrode 6 and the lower electrode 6A may be reinforced by being fixed to a reinforcing sheet such as a synthetic resin sheet.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper electrode 6 on the upper support portion 53 side is formed in an annular shape and surrounds the periphery of the hollow portion 33 in plan view. The lower electrode 6A has a circular shape in plan view and overlaps the entire area of the surface on the lower support portion 51 side of the lower electrode 6A.
Wirings 61 and 63 for connecting to the drive circuit of the ultrasonic transducer 3 are fixed to the upper electrode 6 and the lower electrode 6A using solder (solder). More specifically, the upper electrode 6 is formed with a wiring connecting convex portion 62 protruding outward in a part of the outer peripheral portion in the circumferential direction, and the wiring 61 is formed on the convex portion 62. It is fixed with solder. In the lower electrode 6A, the wiring 63 is fixed to the surface on the lower support portion 51 side with solder. The lower electrode 6A can also be provided with a wiring connecting projection on the outer periphery thereof, and the wiring 63 can be fixed to the projection with solder.
The vibrator arrangement portion 5 has a wiring recess 52c (see FIG. 2B) in a part of the inner circumferential surface 52 in the circumferential direction. The recess 52c extends in the depth direction of the transducer arrangement portion 5, and has a through hole (not shown) connected to the arrangement portion of the drive circuit of the ultrasonic transducer at the lower end thereof. . Each of the wiring 63 and the wiring 63 described later is connected to the drive circuit through the through hole.

  The conductive buffer material 7 and the lower conductive buffer material 7A in the present embodiment are each made of a conductive nonwoven fabric. As shown in FIG. 2, the conductive cushioning material 7 is formed in an annular shape and surrounds the periphery of the hollow portion 33 in a plan view. Further, the conductive buffer material 7 is interposed between the upper electrode 6 and the metal cover 31 in the entire region where the upper electrode 6 and the metal cover 31 overlap. On the other hand, the lower conductive buffer material 7 </ b> A has a circular shape in plan view, and overlaps the entire surface of the piezoelectric body 31 on the lower support portion 51 side.

As the conductive cushioning material 7 and the lower conductive cushioning material 7A, those having conductivity and cushioning properties in the thickness direction can be used without particular limitation. In addition to the conductive nonwoven fabric, conductive rubber A shaped elastic body or the like can also be used.
As the conductive non-woven fabric, a non-woven fabric obtained by coating polyester fiber with copper + nickel, for example, a conductive non-woven fabric (Sui-80-75ES) manufactured by KB Seiren Co., Ltd. can be used. It is also possible to use a conductive nonwoven fabric sandwiched with conductive materials.
As the conductive rubber-like elastic body, for example, a silicone-containing conductive material such as carbon can be used to impart conductivity, for example, a conductive silicone rubber manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. can be used. It is also possible to use a material obtained by blending metal powder with rubber to impart conductivity.

  The conductive buffer material 7 and the lower conductive buffer material 7A are compressed so as to have a thickness of 50% or more and 99% or less of the thickness in the natural state when incorporated in the holding structure of the present embodiment. It is preferable that the film is compressed so as to have a thickness of 80% to 98% of the thickness in the natural state. In addition, each of the conductive buffer material 7 and the lower conductive buffer material 7A preferably has a thickness in a single state of 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.15 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

  In the present embodiment, the upper electrode 6, the conductive cushioning material 7, the metal cover 32, the lower electrode 6A, and the conductive cushioning material 7A are respectively in the shape of the piezoelectric body 31 and the flange portion 32c having a circular outline in plan view. The shape of the piezoelectric body 31 or the flange portion 32c is changed to another shape such as an ellipse or a rectangle, and the upper electrode 6 is made to correspond to the shape. The shape of the conductive buffer material 7, the metal cover 32, the lower electrode 6A, or the lower conductive buffer material 7A may have the contour of the other shape.

In the above-described atomizing device 1, the piezoelectric body 31 is applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 3 incorporated in the state of being held by the vibrator arrangement portion 5 by a drive circuit (not shown) of the ultrasonic vibrator. It is possible to apply an alternating voltage whose polarity alternates at a resonance frequency of. The alternating voltage includes an alternating voltage. An alternating voltage (AC voltage) is applied to the upper electrode 6 to which the wiring 61 is connected and the conductive buffer material 7 in contact with the upper electrode 6, the lower electrode 6A to which the wiring 63 is connected, and the lower conductivity in contact with the electrode 6A. When applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 3 by the shock-absorbing material 7A, the piezoelectric body 31 vibrates mainly in the in-plane direction (direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body) and correspondingly, the vibration formed by the metal cover 32. The surface 3 a is ultrasonically vibrated mainly in the thickness direction Z of the ultrasonic transducer 3.
The piezoelectric body 31 of the ultrasonic transducer 3 preferably has a resonance frequency of 50 kHz to 500 kHz from the viewpoint of efficiently atomizing the liquid supplied to the vibration surface 3 a of the ultrasonic transducer 3. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 28 denotes a switch for operating the drive circuit of the ultrasonic transducer.

  Further, it is also preferable that the ultrasonic vibrator 3 is vibrated and air is sent to the tip portion arrangement space 27 by a blowing means (not shown) such as a blower fan. Although the liquid fine particles generated by atomization float in the air, the diffusibility of the liquid itself, in particular, the increase is not large, but the liquid fine particles generated by the atomization are generated in the air flow generated by the blowing means such as a blower fan. By conveying the particles, the fine particles and components such as fragrance components contained therein can be quickly diffused into the surrounding space.

  According to the holding structure of the ultrasonic transducer 3 of the present embodiment, the conductive buffer material 7 is interposed between the upper electrode 6 and the flange portion 32 c (peripheral portion) of the metal cover 32 of the ultrasonic transducer 3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of a rubbing sound caused by rubbing the metal cover 32 against the upper support portion 53 while stably holding the ultrasonic vibrator 3 without disturbing the vibration. The ultrasonic vibrator 3 is held without being detached from the vibrator arrangement portion 5 in the normal use state of the atomizer by the intervention of the conductive buffer material 7. Further, even when the wiring 61 is directly connected to the upper electrode 6 by solder or the like, the conductive cushioning material 7 is interposed between the upper electrode 6 and the metal cover 32, so that the vibration of the metal cover 32 is caused to move upward. Since it is difficult to transmit to the electrode 6, the wiring 61 is difficult to come off from the upper electrode 6.

Further, according to the holding structure of the ultrasonic transducer 3 of the present embodiment, the lower conductive buffer material 7A is interposed between the lower electrode 6A and the piezoelectric body 31 of the ultrasonic transducer 3. In addition, it has a buffering effect from both above and below the piezoelectric body 31. Therefore, it is possible to more significantly suppress the generation of a rubbing sound caused by rubbing the metal cover 32 against the upper support portion 53.
Further, even when the wiring 63 is directly connected to the lower electrode 6A by solder or the like, the lower conductive buffer material 7A is interposed between the lower electrode 6A and the piezoelectric body 31, so that the ultrasonic vibration Since the vibration of the child 3 is not easily transmitted to the lower electrode 6A, the wiring 63 is less likely to be detached from the lower electrode 6A.
The connection method of the wiring 61 to the upper electrode 6 is not limited to the connection by solder, and any method that can be electrically connected can be adopted. It is also possible to connect the terminals and the like provided at the end portions of the wiring 61 without bringing them into contact with the upper electrode 6.
The connection method to the lower electrode 6A of the wiring 63 is the same, and is not limited to the connection by soldering, and any method that can be electrically connected can be adopted. A terminal or the like provided at the end of the wiring 63 can be connected without being brought into contact by contacting the lower electrode 6A.

Moreover, in this embodiment, between the upper side support part 53 and the upper side electrode 6, between the upper side electrode 6 and the electroconductive buffer material 7, and between the electroconductive buffer material 7 and the flange part 32c of the metal cover 32, Each is not joined. Further, the piezoelectric body 31 and the lower conductive buffer material 7A and the lower conductive buffer material 7A and the lower support portion 51 are not joined. By being sandwiched between the upper support portion 53 and the lower support portion 51, each member is held at an appropriate position.
Further, since the upper electrode 6 and the conductive buffer material 7 respectively surround the periphery of the hollow portion 33 in a plan view, the conductive buffer material 7 and the metal cover are provided between the upper support portion 53 and the upper electrode 6. Even if it does not join between 32, it can prevent that the upper electrode 6 and the electroconductive buffer material 7 remove | deviate from an appropriate position.

Between the upper support portion 53 and the upper electrode 6, between the upper electrode 6 and the conductive buffer material 7, between the conductive buffer material 7 and the flange portion 32c, the piezoelectric body 31 and the lower conductive buffer material 7A. 1 or between the lower conductive cushioning material 7A and the lower support portion 51 may be joined, or all members may be joined.
Further, even if the conductive buffer material 7 and the flange portion 32c or the lower conductive buffer material 7A and the piezoelectric body 31 are joined, the buffering effect is exhibited by the buffer material, so that the rubbing sound is generated. Although it can be reduced, in the case of joining, it is necessary not to impair the conductivity.

The holding structure for the ultrasonic transducer 3 of the present embodiment further includes an elastic portion. Examples of the elastic portion include a sponge-like elastic body, a spring, or a leaf spring. In the holding structure of the ultrasonic transducer 3 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower support portion 51 includes a sponge-like elastic body 55, and the lower support portion 51 is formed in a sponge-like shape. The piezoelectric body 31 side of the ultrasonic vibrator 3 is supported via the elastic body 55.
When the lower support portion 51 supports the piezoelectric body 31 side of the ultrasonic vibrator with the sponge-like elastic body 55, the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 3 is difficult to be disturbed and the contact state with the electrode is reduced. There is an advantage of being stable.

From the viewpoint of ensuring such an effect, the sponge-like elastic body 55 preferably has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably 1 mm to 4 mm. The sponge-like elastic body 55 is preferably made of an elastic resin, and examples of the elastic resin include urethane, polyethylene, rubber sponge, and elastomer. As the sponge-like elastic body 55, for example, a commercially available product such as an elastic sponge NL-1 (density 74.6 kg / m ³ ) manufactured by INOAC can be used.
The sponge-like elastic body 55 is preferably fixed on the lower support portion 51 by any bonding means such as an adhesive, but is placed on the lower support portion 51 without being bonded. It may be just.

  5 and 6 are views showing another embodiment of the holding structure of the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention. The lower support portion 51 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a spring 56 as an elastic portion instead of the sponge-like elastic body 55, and the piezoelectric body 31 side of the ultrasonic transducer 3 via the spring 56. Support. Further, the lower support portion 51 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes a leaf spring 57 as an elastic portion instead of the sponge-like elastic body 55, and the ultrasonic transducer 3 of the ultrasonic transducer 3 is interposed via the leaf spring 57. The piezoelectric body 31 side is supported.

The sponge-like elastic body 55, the spring 56, and the leaf spring 57, which are elastic portions provided on the lower support portion, do not require electrical conductivity. As the spring 56 and the plate spring 57, a material made of a synthetic resin or the like can be used in addition to a metal material such as stainless steel, spring steel, or brass. The leaf spring 57 shown in FIG. 6 is made of, for example, a rectangular spring stainless steel and includes a plurality of bent portions b1 and b2. The whole or a part of the leaf spring 57 in contact with the bottom 51 is fixed to the bottom 51 by a known joining means such as an adhesive.
In the case where the spring 56 and the leaf spring 57 are provided instead of the sponge-like elastic body 55, the same effect as that provided when the sponge-like elastic body 55 is provided is produced.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a preferred example of the liquid container 4 used in combination with the atomizing device 1 described above. The liquid container 4 shown in FIG. 7 has a storage part 42a for storing a liquid and a liquid supply part 43 made of a porous body 44 that can be impregnated with the liquid in the storage part 42a. The liquid supply part 43 is formed at the tip 41 of the liquid container 4.
More specifically, the liquid container 4 shown in FIG. 7 has a cylindrical shaft portion 42 whose inside is a liquid storage portion 42 a, and the inside and outside of the storage portion 42 a at the tip of the shaft portion 42. A cylindrical porous body 44 is fixed so as to extend, and the liquid supply portion 43 is formed by the porous body 44 protruding from the shaft portion 42. A cap 45 can be detachably attached to the distal end side of the shaft portion 42 by screwing, fitting or the like. When the storage unit is not used, the cap 45 can be attached to evaporate liquid or in liquid. The volatilization of the components can be prevented. The rear end portion of the shaft portion 42 is sealed so that liquid does not leak. The rear end portion may be sealed by fixing the plug body 46 so as to be detachable by screwing, fitting, or the like. It can also be performed by integrally molding with the cylindrical portion of the shaft portion 42.

  Moreover, the liquid may be accommodated as it is in the accommodating portion 42a, or the liquid may be accommodated in a state in which the batting is accommodated in the accommodating portion 42a and the batting is impregnated. The fibers constituting the batting can be made of natural fibers, recycled fibers, synthetic fibers and combinations of two or more thereof, and the batting or the resin covering the batting (PE, PP, PET, etc.) is colored. Thus, it can be used as a mark indicating the type of liquid contained inside. The shape of the shaft portion 42 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and the cross section thereof may be a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a triangle or a hexagon, an elliptical cylindrical shape, or the like.

  As the porous body constituting the liquid supply part 43, various materials that can lead the liquid in the storage part 42a out of the storage part 42a can be used, but the liquid can be guided out of the storage part 42a by capillary action. Those are preferred. Examples of such a porous body include those formed by thermoforming an original yarn made of a synthetic resin such as ester, nylon, and acrylic, impregnating the resin and a solvent, and drying and curing.

  Moreover, what consists of an extrusion molded product can also be used as the liquid supply part 43. FIG. As the extrusion molded product used as the liquid supply unit 43, various products that can lead the liquid in the storage unit 42a to the outside of the storage unit 42a can be used. However, as with the porous body, the liquid is removed from the storage unit 42a by capillary action. Those that can be induced to are preferred. It is manufactured by continuously forming a resin such as a polyacetal copolymer or a polyacetal homopolymer by an extrusion molding machine while maintaining a space capable of holding a liquid.

In the liquid container 4, it is preferable that the internal liquid is led out by applying vibration to the liquid supply unit 43, and the internal liquid is not substantially discharged when no vibration is applied.
For example, even if the liquid container 4 is left for 3 minutes (more preferably 2-3 days) while supporting the shaft portion 42 with the liquid supply portion 43 facing downward, the liquid inside the liquid container 4 is not removed from the liquid supply portion 43. It is preferable not to dripping. This measurement is performed at 25 ° C. and 1 atm with the cap 45 removed.
As such a liquid container, for example, a batting is accommodated in the container 42a of the liquid container described above and the liquid is accommodated in an impregnated state of the batting, or as shown in FIG. Examples thereof include an inflow rate suppressing member 47 that suppresses the rate of air inflow into the inside, and the liquid supply rate from the storage unit 42a is suppressed by limiting the liquid discharge speed from the storage unit 42a. . The liquid container 4A shown in FIG. 8 has an air inflow part P around the liquid supply part 43, but the inflow speed suppressing member including a number of disks 48 having slits 48a is used to control the speed of air inflow into the accommodating part 42a. 47, limiting the liquid delivery speed from the liquid supply unit 43. In the inflow rate suppressing member 47 shown in FIG. 8, a central penetrating material 49 made of ABS, PE, PP, nylon or the like passes through the central part of a large number of disks 48, and the liquid in the accommodating part 42a passes through the central penetrating member 49a. The liquid 49 is guided from the end of the material 49 to the liquid supply unit 43.

The liquid containers 4 and 4A are similar in shape to pencils and pens, and from the viewpoint of excellent handleability, the diameter L1 of the shaft portion is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 7 mm or more, and preferably Is 30 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or less, and preferably 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or more and 20 mm or less. From the same viewpoint, the liquid container 4 has a total length L2 (total length excluding the cap 45 portion) of preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 80 mm or more, and preferably 250 mm or less, more preferably 180 mm or less. Moreover, it is preferably 50 mm or more and 250 mm or less, more preferably 80 mm or more and 180 mm or less.
The liquid container in the present invention is a pen-type liquid container, has a cylindrical shaft portion 42 having a diameter of 3 to 30 mm having the accommodating portion 42 a therein, has a total length of 50 to 250 mm, and is attached to the tip portion 41. It is preferable to have the liquid supply unit 43.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.
For example, the transducer placement portion in the present invention is configured by integrating a plurality of members by adhesion, fusion, screwing, bolts, or the like. It is preferable because it can be easily accommodated. Further, the lower support portion 51 does not have the sponge-like elastic body 55 or the like, and the lower electrode 6A may be placed directly on the bottom surface of the vibrator arrangement portion made of synthetic resin. Further, it may have a sponge-like elastic body 55, but does not have the lower conductive buffer material 7A, and the lower electrode 6A is in direct contact with the piezoelectric body 31. Further, the conductive buffer material 7 may not be disposed in the entire region between the upper electrode 6 and the metal cover 32, and a plurality of the conductive buffer materials 7 may be intermittently disposed in the circumferential direction of the annular upper electrode 6. . Further, the lower conductive cushioning material 7A may not be disposed over the entire region overlapping the piezoelectric body 31. For example, the lower conductive cushioning material 7A has an opening in the central portion and overlaps the portion excluding the central portion of the piezoelectric body 31. May be. Further, the metal cover 32 may have a flange portion 32 c extending from the periphery of the piezoelectric body 31, while not having the bent portion 32 b.
Further, the upper support portion 53 may be configured to press a plurality of locations around the ultrasonic transducer 3.

Moreover, the liquid container arrangement | positioning part provided in an atomization apparatus as needed may be able to support only one instead of being able to insert several liquid containers simultaneously. The atomizing device may be supplied by dropping a liquid onto the vibration surface of the ultrasonic vibrator on the vibration surface of the ultrasonic vibrator regardless of the liquid container.
The atomizer may be a humidifier that atomizes water. Moreover, you may adjust the quantity of the liquid to atomize, and the intensity | strength of the fragrance | flavor to disperse by changing the electric power of an apparatus or the interval of power application.

In addition, the atomizing device according to the present invention has a timer function so that the power is automatically turned off after operating for a certain time after the power is turned on, or the power is automatically turned on at a set time. Or you can do it.
Moreover, the atomization apparatus in this invention may not have ventilation means, such as a ventilation fan. Moreover, the power supply of the atomizer may be a non-rechargeable dry battery or a hydrogen battery instead of a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. Moreover, you may supply electricity from the outside with an AC adapter etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Atomizer 2 Synthetic resin main body 23 Liquid container arrangement | positioning part 26 Support guide 27 Tip part arrangement | positioning space 3 Ultrasonic vibrator 3a Vibration surface 31 Piezoelectric 31a One side of a piezoelectric body 32 Metal cover 32c Flange part (periphery) Part)
33 hollow part 4, 4A liquid container 5 vibrator arrangement part 51 bottom part (lower support part)
53 Overhang (upper support)
55 Sponge-like elastic body (elastic part)
56 Spring (elastic part)
57 Leaf spring (elastic part)
6 Upper electrode 6A Lower electrode 7 Conductive buffer material 7A Lower conductive buffer material 61, 63 Wiring

Claims (6)

The ultrasonic vibrator is held by the vibrator arrangement portion of the atomizing device, and is an ultrasonic vibrator holding structure,
The ultrasonic transducer includes a flat piezoelectric body and a metal cover fixed to one surface of the piezoelectric body, and has a hollow portion between the metal cover and the piezoelectric body. Forms a vibrating surface that vibrates in the thickness direction of the sound wave vibrator,
The transducer placement portion includes a lower support portion that supports the ultrasonic transducer from the piezoelectric body side, and an upper support portion that presses the ultrasonic transducer from the metal cover side,
An ultrasonic transducer holding structure in which a conductive buffer material is interposed between an upper electrode located on the upper support portion side and a peripheral portion located outside the hollow portion in the metal cover.   2. The ultrasonic vibrator holding structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the upper electrode and the conductive buffer material surrounds the periphery of the hollow portion in a plan view.   The holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lower conductive buffer material is interposed between the lower electrode positioned on the lower support portion side and the piezoelectric body.   The holding structure for an ultrasonic transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the piezoelectric body of the ultrasonic transducer has a resonance frequency of 50 kHz to 500 kHz.   The ultrasonic transducer holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower support portion further includes an elastic portion.   An atomization apparatus provided with the holding structure of the jet ultrasonic transducer of any one of Claims 1-5.

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