JPH03217265A - Ultrasonic wave type atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always form an ideal spray form by providing a trap holder a little to the lower end of a hone whose upper end is connected to a vibrator and storing the supplied liquid around the hone and flowing out this liquid from the uniform gap formed between the trap holder and the outer circumference of the hone. CONSTITUTION:This atomizer is provided with both a vibrator 1 which generates vibration by impressing a high-frequency signal and a columnar hone 10 wherein its upper end is connected to the vibrator 1 and amplitude of vibration generated in the vibrator 1 is enlarged and output from its lower end. The liquid supplied to the lower end of the hone 10 is atomized by the output vibration. A trap holder 11 is provided a little to the lower end of the hone 10. The supplied liquid is stored around the hone 10 and allowed to flow out from the uniform gap formed between the trap holder and the outer circumference of the hone. As a result, an ideal spray form is always formed by uniformly supplying disinfectant, etc., to the whole face of the end face for outputting vibration of the hone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an ultrasonic atomization device useful for disinfection devices and the like that atomizes and sprays disinfectant liquid onto hands and fingers.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, the one shown in FIG. 5 is known as this type of ultrasonic atomization device. (For example, JP-A-61-7186
0) In the figure, 1 is, for example, a Langevin type vibrator that generates vibration by applying a high-frequency signal, and this vibrator 1 has an oscillation circuit 2 connected to a conductor to generate a constant vibration in the vibrator 1. connected via. The oscillation circuit 2 is driven by a voltage supplied from a power source 3 such as a household AC power source.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a cylindrical horn that magnifies the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibrator 1 and outputs it from its end.One end of the horn has a large-diameter vibration input end surface 4a, and the other end has a small-diameter vibration output end surface 4b. are formed respectively. This horn 4 has its vibration input end face 4a connected to the vibrator 1, expands the amplitude of the vibration transmitted from the vibrator 1, and outputs it from the vibration output end face 4b. Further, a flat plate-shaped mounting member 5 for mounting the device to the main body of the sterilization device, etc., is fixedly attached to the stepped portion of the horn 4 having different diameters between both ends thereof.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a nozzle for discharging a disinfectant solution made of a small diameter pipe, one end of which is connected to a tank (not shown) in which the disinfectant solution is stored, and its discharge port is arranged so as to face the lower end of the horn 4. .

In the conventional ultrasonic atomizer configured as described above, when voltage is supplied from the power source 3 to the oscillation circuit 2, a predetermined high frequency signal is applied from the oscillation circuit 2 to the vibrator 1,
The vibration generated by the vibrator 1 has its amplitude expanded by the horn 4 and is output from the vibration output end face 4b. Then, the disinfectant liquid discharged from the nozzle 6 travels along the side surface near the lower end of the horn 4, contacts the vibration output end surface 4b, and is simultaneously atomized and sprayed onto the hands and fingers.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional ultrasonic atomizer, the disinfectant liquid is discharged to the side surface near the lower end of the horn 4, and is transmitted through the side surface to be supplied to the vibration output end surface 4b. Therefore, it is difficult to uniformly atomize the disinfectant solution from the entire vibration output end surface 4b, and as a result, the spray mist concentrates locally and cannot be evenly sprayed over the entire hand, causing harmful bacteria and pathogens attached to the hand to be removed. It had the disadvantage that it could not be destroyed sufficiently. In addition, in order to eliminate such drawbacks, a plurality of nozzles may be provided to discharge the disinfectant from multiple directions, or the amount of disinfectant to be discharged may be increased and the disinfectant may be discharged from below the lower end of the horn 4 toward the vibration output end surface 4b. Some have made it so. However, in the former case, the discharge volume of each nozzle may become unbalanced due to clogging in the nozzle pipe due to long-term use, and in the latter case, the disinfectant solution may not be fully atomized as the flow rate increases. This results in problems such as dripping, resulting in the same drawbacks as mentioned above.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an ultrasonic type that can always form an ideal spray pattern by uniformly supplying disinfectant to the entire vibration output end face of the horn. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an atomization device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following in claim (1):
It includes a vibrator that generates vibrations by applying a high frequency signal, and a columnar horn whose upper end is connected to the vibrator and which magnifies the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibrator and outputs it from the lower end. In an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes liquid supplied to the horn by output vibration, the supplied liquid is collected near the lower end of the horn and flows out from a uniform gap formed between the horn and the outer circumference of the horn. A liquid reservoir holder is provided.

Moreover, in claim (2), a plurality of protrusions that sandwich the outer peripheral surface of the horn are provided in the gap portion of the liquid reservoir holder.

Moreover, in claim (3), at least one liquid drainage hole is provided on a side surface of the liquid reservoir holder at a predetermined height distance from the gap site.

Moreover, in claim (4), the liquid reservoir holder is fixed to a portion corresponding to a vibration node of the horn.

(Function) According to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (1), the liquid supplied into the liquid reservoir holder accumulates around the horn and then flows out from the gap between the outer periphery of the horn and the liquid reservoir holder. It flows out uniformly and is supplied to the lower end surface of the horn.

Further, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (2), the plurality of protrusions provided in the gap region of the liquid reservoir holder sandwich the outer circumferential surface of the horn, so that the gap with the outer circumference of the horn is uniform. It is maintained.

Further, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (3), the liquid pool excessively supplied into the liquid reservoir holder is discharged to the outside of the liquid holder from the liquid drainage hole provided on the side surface of the liquid reservoir holder. Ru.

Further, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (4), the liquid reservoir holder is fixed to a portion corresponding to the vibration node of the horn, so that the liquid reservoir holder does not vibrate.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the conventional example.

That is, 1 is a vibrator, 2 is an oscillation circuit, 3 is a power source, 5 is a mounting member, and 6 is a nozzle.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a horn that magnifies the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibrator 1 and outputs it from its lower end, and is made up of three cylinders with different outer diameters whose diameters gradually decrease from the upper end to the lower end. This horn 10 has its large-diameter upper end connected to the vibrator 1, and a mounting member 5 is fixed through the stepped portion of the different diameter near the upper end. Four vibration output surfaces 10a each having a sharp tip are formed.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a liquid reservoir holder for storing a disinfectant solution on the outer periphery near the lower end of the horn 10, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom surface through which the horn 10 can be inserted. This liquid reservoir holder 11 is fixed by fitting an annular protrusion 11a provided around the upper part of the inner surface into an annular groove 10b provided around the lower part of the middle diameter portion of the horn 10. This corresponds to the vibration node of the horn 10.

Further, the bottom surface of the liquid reservoir holder 11 has a slope that becomes lower toward the center, and has an insertion hole 11b in the center through which the lower end of the horn 10 is inserted.

This insertion hole 1lb has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower end of the horn 10, and a uniform gap is formed between the outer periphery of the horn 10 and this insertion hole 1lb. In addition, on the inner surface of the insertion hole 1lb, there are four holes equally spaced in the circumferential direction.
Two protrusions 11c are provided, and the sides of the horn 10 are held between these protrusions 11c. Further, on the side surface of the liquid reservoir holder 11, a drain hole 1 is provided at a predetermined height position from the insertion hole 1lb for draining an excessively supplied disinfectant solution.
1d, and a nozzle 6 is inserted through this drainage hole 11d.

Here, the operation of the ultrasonic atomizer will be explained.

First, when a voltage is supplied to the oscillation circuit 2 from the power supply 3, a predetermined high frequency signal is applied from the oscillation circuit 2 to the vibrator 1.
The amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibrator 1 is amplified by the horn 10 and output from each vibration output surface 10a at the lower end.

At this time, nodes and antinodes of vibration appear alternately in the axial direction of the horn 10, and each vibration output surface 10a corresponds to the antinode with the largest amplitude.

When the disinfectant solution is discharged from the nozzle 6 in this vibration state, the disinfectant solution is supplied into the reservoir holder 11 and accumulates around the horn 10, and capillary action also occurs to cause the penetration hole 11b and the horn 1.
It evenly spreads over the entire gap between 0 and 0. As a result, the disinfectant solution gradually flowing out from this gap is uniformly supplied to each vibration output surface 10a, and is atomized as soon as it touches each vibration output surface 10a.

Moreover, since each vibration output surface 10a faces a different direction, the atomized disinfectant liquid will be spread in all directions.

In this way, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of this embodiment, the supplied disinfectant is collected near the lower end of the horn 10 around the horn 10, and the liquid flows out from the uniform gap between the horn 10 and the horn 1o. By providing the reservoir holder 11, the disinfectant can be uniformly supplied to each vibration output surface 10a, so an ideal spray pattern can always be formed, and bacteria and pathogens attached to the hands and fingers are reliably killed or attenuated. can do. In addition, the horn 1o through which the liquid reservoir holder l1 is inserted is inserted into the insertion hole 11b.
Since the horn 1o is held between the four protrusions 11c provided in the horn 1o, a uniform gap can always be maintained between the insertion hole 1lb and the horn 1o. Furthermore, since the liquid drain hole 11d is provided on the side surface of the liquid reservoir holder 11, even if a large amount of disinfectant is supplied into the liquid reservoir holder 11 due to malfunction in the discharge amount control of the nozzle 6, etc., excessive disinfectant can be drained. The liquid can be drained from the drain hole lid, and it is possible to reliably prevent the disinfectant from filling up. Further, since the liquid reservoir holder 11 is fixed at a position corresponding to the vibration node of the horn 10, the liquid reservoir holder 11 does not vibrate, and the vibration of the horn is not hindered.

Further, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a horn, and the part enclosed in the liquid reservoir holder is formed with a different diameter part having a larger outer diameter than its lower end, and the other configuration is the same as the horn 10 of the previous embodiment. It is.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a liquid reservoir holder composed of two members, upper and lower, in which the lower part of the outer surface of the upper member 21a and the upper part of the inner surface of the lower member 21b are screwed together. Further, the insertion hole 21c for inserting the horn 20 is opened sufficiently larger than in the previous embodiment.

In addition, a liquid reservoir holder 2 is provided at the stepped portion of the horn 20 with different diameters.
A parallel slope 20a is formed on the inner surface of the bottom of the lower member 21b of the horn 20, and the gap A between the inner surface of the bottom of the lower member 2lb and the slope 20a of the horn 20 can be changed by screwing forward and backward by rotation of the lower member 21b. It looks like this.

In this way, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of this embodiment, the upper and lower members 21a are combined by screwing together the liquid reservoir holder 21.
, 2lb, the gap A between the bottom inner surface of the lower member 21b and the slope 20a of the horn 20 can be changed by screwing forward and backward by the rotation of the lower member 2lb, and the gap A can be adjusted appropriately to obtain the desired value. Even when adjusting the spray amount or replacing and using a different disinfectant, it is possible to quickly respond to changes in the spraying condition due to differences in viscosity, etc., and it is possible to always spray the disinfectant appropriately. becomes.

In the above embodiment, the lower end of the horn is formed in the shape of a square pyramid, but it may of course be formed into a flat shape perpendicular to the vibration direction of the horn, as in the conventional example.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (1), the supplied liquid is collected around the horn near the lower end of the horn, and the liquid is uniformly distributed between the horn and the horn. By installing a liquid reservoir holder that flows out from a gap, the liquid can be uniformly supplied to the bottom surface of the horn, so an ideal spray pattern can always be formed, and bacteria and pathogens attached to hands and fingers can be reliably removed. It can be killed or weakened.

Further, according to the ultrasonic atomization device of claim (2), the gap portion of the liquid reservoir holder is provided with a plurality of protrusions that sandwich the outer circumferential surface of the horn to be inserted, so that the gap is always kept uniform. can be kept.

Further, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (3), at least one liquid drainage hole is provided on the side surface of the liquid reservoir holder at a predetermined height distance from the gap, so that the nozzle Even if a large amount of liquid is supplied into the liquid reservoir holder due to a malfunction in discharge ft control or the like, the excess liquid can be discharged from the liquid drainage hole, and filling with liquid can be reliably prevented.

Further, according to the ultrasonic atomizer of claim (4), since the liquid reservoir holder is fixed at a position corresponding to the vibration node of the horn, the liquid reservoir holder does not vibrate and the vibration of the horn is reduced. unimpeded.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of an ultrasonic atomizer, FIG. 2 is a top sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. A schematic side view of an ultrasonic atomizer, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of an ultrasonic atomizer showing another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an ultrasonic atomizer showing a conventional example. It is. In the figure, 1... vibrator, 10.20... horn, 11
, 21...liquid reservoir holder, ilc...protrusion, 11d...
... Drain hole, A... Gap.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A vibrator that generates vibrations by applying a high-frequency signal, and a columnar shape whose upper end is connected to the vibrator and which magnifies the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibrator and outputs it from the lower end. An ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes the liquid supplied to the lower end of the horn by output vibration. An ultrasonic atomization device characterized by being provided with a liquid reservoir holder that allows liquid to flow out from a uniform gap formed between the two. (2) The ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of protrusions are provided in the gap portion of the liquid reservoir holder to sandwich the outer peripheral surface of the horn. (3) At least one liquid drainage hole is provided on a side surface of the liquid reservoir holder at a predetermined height distance from the gap portion. Sonic atomizer. (4) The ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, (2) or (3), wherein the liquid reservoir holder is fixed at a location corresponding to a vibration node of the horn.