JPH04236962A - Ultrasonic inhalator device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the minute property, uniformity and generating efficiency of a particle to be inhaled in an ultrasonic inhalor device utilizing the elastic vibration generated by an ultrasonic exciter. CONSTITUTION:When an AC signal having a frequency almost equal to the resonance frequency of a piezoelectric oscillator 1 is applied to the piezoelectric oscillator 1, the piezoelectric oscillator 1 is excited. This excitation is propagated to a vibrating plate 2, and the vibrating plate 2 is vibrated in a cantilever form. On the other hand, a liquid received in a liquid storing chamber 7 is regulated in flow rate by a flow rate regulating valve 6 and controlled to a determined temperature through a liquid supply tube 5, and then arrives in a fine gap between the vibrating plate 2 and an auxiliary plate 3. In accordance with the vibration of the oscillating plate 2, the liquid is atomized through a number of holes provided on the vibrating plate 2. A flexible hose is attached to a mist discharge hole 12, and the mist discharged through its top end is inhaled. The fineness and uniformity of the inhaled particle is excellent, and its generating efficiency is also good. Thus, the device can be minimized and is convenient for carrying with a low consumed power, and its using method is also simple.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inhaler that atomizes water, medicinal solution, or other liquid by means of elastic vibrations generated by an ultrasonic exciter, and inhales the liquid mist through the nose or mouth.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventional inhalation devices include those that heat water to turn it into water vapor and inhale the vapor, those that mix vapor from a medicinal solution with the water vapor and inhale the mixed vapor, and those that inhale liquid by spraying. Examples include those that atomize and inhale the mist, and those that inhale liquid particles generated from the surface of the liquid by ultrasonic vibration. With inhalation devices that inhale steam generated by heating water or a mixture of steam and chemical vapor, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the liquid in order to obtain the steam. must wait until the temperature rises. In addition, with inhalers that atomize liquid and inhale the mist, a certain amount of pressure is required to operate the spray, which causes the mist to be ejected forcefully, and the particles of the mist are large. Since the particles are not uniform in size, inhaling the mist through the nose causes physiological pain. With inhalation devices that inhale liquid particles generated from the liquid surface using ultrasonic vibrations, it is difficult to miniaturize and homogenize the particles, and it is also difficult to generate particles efficiently, making it difficult to miniaturize the device. It was difficult.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In the conventional inhaler,
There are disadvantages such as the need to raise the temperature during use, physiological pain when inhaled, the smallness and uniformity of the inhaled particles, and poor particle generation efficiency.

The objects of the present invention are that it is easy to use, does not require any means such as increasing the temperature, does not cause physiological pain when inhaled, has excellent fineness and uniformity of particles to be inhaled, and An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic suction device that has good production efficiency and is satisfactory from the viewpoints of miniaturization of the device and cost of driving power source.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 1 is capable of injecting water, medicinal solutions, or other liquids by means of elastic vibrations generated by an ultrasonic exciter including a diaphragm fixed to a piezoelectric vibrator. In an ultrasonic inhaler that atomizes and inhales a mist of the liquid through the nose or mouth, the ultrasonic exciter is provided with means for supplying the liquid, and the diaphragm is provided with a plurality of inhalers disposed within at least a specific range. It is characterized by having holes.

[0006] The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 2 is characterized in that the liquid supply means includes means for controlling the temperature of the liquid supplied to the ultrasonic exciter to body temperature or another predetermined temperature. do.

[0007] In the ultrasonic inhalation device according to claim 3, the piezoelectric vibrator comprises a piezoelectric ceramic and electrodes formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic perpendicular to the polarization axis, and the diaphragm comprises:
A vibrating portion is fixed on at least one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator and protrudes outward from the piezoelectric vibrator substantially parallel to the surface of the piezoelectric vibrator, and the hole is configured to accommodate the vibration. The diaphragm is provided in a portion of the diaphragm, and an opening area of one side of the diaphragm in the hole is different from an opening area of the other side of the diaphragm.

[0008] In the ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 4, the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator is approximately equal to an intermediate value of two resonant frequencies in a composite body of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm, and the piezoelectric vibrator 4. The ultrasonic suction device according to claim 1, wherein the child is a rectangular plate having a length-to-width ratio close to 1 but not equal to 1.

[0009] The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator includes a columnar piezoelectric ceramic having end faces on both sides perpendicular to the polarization axis and having a hole extending parallel to the polarization axis; and electrodes fixed to each of the end faces, and the diaphragm is provided at least at one location substantially parallel to the end face at a position covering the opening of the through hole or inside the through hole, and the vibration plate A peripheral edge of the plate is fixed to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a portion of the diaphragm surrounded by a fixed part fixed to the piezoelectric vibrator forms a vibrating part,
The hole is provided in the vibrating section, and the opening area of one side of the diaphragm in the hole is different from the opening area of the other side.

In the ultrasonic suction device according to claim 6, one of the resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric vibrator is approximately equal to one of the resonant frequencies of a composite of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm. , the piezoelectric vibrator is rectangular or annular, and the ratio of the length of the piezoelectric vibrator in the direction of the polarization axis to the shortest distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the end face is approximately equal to 1.

[0011]

When the ultrasonic inhaler according to the first aspect is used, an alternating current signal having a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator, and the piezoelectric vibrator is excited. The excitation of the piezoelectric vibrator causes the diaphragm to vibrate, and the water, chemical solution, or other liquid supplied to the diaphragm causes
Due to the effect of the holes provided in the diaphragm, it is efficiently turned into a mist of fine particles. Atomization by the action of the holes can promote fineness and uniformity of particles and increase atomization efficiency, so using this device allows efficient inhalation without physiological pain. Furthermore, since the atomization efficiency is high, a large amount of atomization can be achieved with low power consumption, and the device can also be easily miniaturized.

[0012] In the ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 2, the liquid supply means includes means for controlling the temperature of the liquid supplied to the ultrasonic exciter to body temperature or another predetermined temperature. body temperature or other predetermined temperature. Therefore, it can be safely used for the purpose of treating patients.

[0013] In the ultrasonic suction device according to the third aspect, the piezoelectric vibrator includes the piezoelectric ceramic and electrodes formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic perpendicular to the polarization axis. An alternating current voltage is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator through the electrode, and the vibrator is excited. By employing a pressure vibrator with such a simple structure, the ultrasonic suction device can be made smaller, and since this device can atomize liquid with high efficiency, the efficiency of suction can be increased. Further, since the diaphragm is integrally fixed on at least one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator, the vibrating section can bend and vibrate in the form of a cantilever with the fixed section as a fixed end. Therefore, the liquid supplied to the diaphragm is atomized by the ultrasonic waves and is dispersed as mist vertically above the diaphragm. The atomization of the liquid is promoted by the synergistic effect of the difference between the opening area of one side of the diaphragm and the opening area of the other side of the diaphragm in the hole and the vibration of the vibrating part, and the amount of mist generated increases. Since the particle size is uniform and small, the effect of inhalation can be further enhanced.

In the ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 4, the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator is approximately equal to the intermediate value of two resonance frequencies in the composite of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm. By applying a voltage with a common resonant frequency to the piezoelectric vibrator, the diaphragm is efficiently excited, promoting atomization efficiency and further increasing the amount of mist generated. Therefore, the effect of inhalation can be increased. Further, since the piezoelectric vibrator is a rectangular plate with a length-to-width dimension ratio close to 1 but not equal to 1, the coupled vibration of the composite body of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm is enhanced. Since the atomization efficiency is promoted, the effectiveness of inhalation is further enhanced.

In the ultrasonic inhalation device according to claim 5, the piezoelectric vibrator includes a columnar piezoelectric ceramic having a hole extending parallel to the polarization axis, and electrodes fixed to each of the end faces. Thus, an alternating current voltage is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator via the electrode. Since the diaphragm is provided at least at one location covering the opening of the through hole or substantially parallel to the inside of the through hole, the vibration energy of the piezoelectric vibrator is efficiently propagated to the diaphragm. Since the diaphragm is vibrated, the atomization efficiency can be increased, and the inhalation efficiency can also be improved. The portion of the diaphragm surrounded by the fixed portion fixed to the piezoelectric vibrator constitutes a vibrating portion, and the vibrating portion vibrates in combination with the piezoelectric vibrator. The supplied liquid is atomized by the combined vibration and is dispersed as a mist upward perpendicular to the diaphragm. The vibration of the vibrating section increases the atomization efficiency of the liquid and increases the amount of mist generated, so that the efficiency of inhalation can be increased. The fineness and uniformity of the mist particles can be promoted by the action of the large number of holes provided in the vibrating part. By using a plurality of diaphragms, the fineness of the fog particles can be improved. Therefore, the effect of inhalation can be further enhanced. Since the opening area of one side of the diaphragm and the opening area of the other side of the diaphragm in the hole are different, the atomization effect of the liquid is further promoted, the amount of mist generated increases, and the diameter of the particles becomes uniform, making it easier to inhale. can increase the effect of Therefore, by employing the piezoelectric vibrator and diaphragm having such a simple structure, not only can the device be made smaller, but also the combined vibration generated in the vibrating section and the opening area of one of the holes and the opening area of the other can be reduced. Due to the synergistic effect of the different effects, the atomization effect of the liquid is promoted, the amount of mist generated increases, and the diameter of the particles becomes uniform and fine, so that the effect of inhalation can be further enhanced.

In the ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 6, one of the resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric vibrator is approximately equal to one of the resonant frequencies of the composite of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator at the time when the amount of inhalation increases, the atomization efficiency is promoted and the amount of mist generated increases, which improves the efficiency of inhalation. Further, the piezoelectric vibrator has a rectangular or annular shape, and the ratio of the length of the piezoelectric vibrator in the direction of the polarization axis to the shortest distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the end face is approximately equal to 1. As a result, the coupled vibration of the composite body of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm is enhanced,
Atomization efficiency is further increased. Therefore, the efficiency of inhalation becomes even better.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic suction device of the present invention. In this embodiment, terminals P made of copper foil,
A piezoelectric vibrator 1 to which Q is attached, a diaphragm 2,
An auxiliary plate 3, a support base 4, a liquid supply tube 5, a flow rate adjustment valve 6, a liquid storage chamber 7, an inlet cap 8, and a power supply part 9 are provided inside the main body divided into three chambers. ing. A main body lid 10 is provided at the top of the main body, and a mist outlet 1 is provided.
A drainage lid 11 is provided on the side surface of the main body below 2. The mist discharge port 12 has a cylindrical shape, and a screw-shaped protrusion is provided at the tip thereof. A heater is attached to the outer wall of the liquid supply tube 5, and the temperature of the liquid inside the liquid supply tube 5 is controlled to a predetermined temperature by the power supply section 9. The power supply section 9 also supplies an alternating current voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator 1 via terminals P and Q. However, in this figure, the circuits between the power supply section 9 and the heater and between the power supply section 9 and the terminals P and Q are excluded. The liquid supply tube 5 passes through the auxiliary plate 3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the flexible hose 20 attached to the mist outlet 12, and the mouth inlet 22 and nasal inlet 23 attached thereto. The flexible hose 20 is a hose that can be bent freely, and a screw-shaped groove is provided inside the main body attachment part 21. The flexible hose 20 and the main body shown in FIG. 1 can be integrated by fitting the protrusion of the mist outlet 12 into the groove of the main body attachment part 21 while rotating the flexible hose 20. A screw-shaped groove is provided at the tip of the flexible hose 20. Mouth intake port 22
A screw-like protrusion is provided at one opening of the nose inlet 23 and one opening of the nasal inlet 23 . flexible hose 2
By pushing the groove at the tip of the 0 into the protrusion of the oral suction port 22, the two can be made into an integrated structure, making it possible to inhale from the mouth. Also, if the groove at the tip of the flexible hose 20 is pushed into the protrusion of the nasal inlet 23 and the two are integrated,
Inhalation through the nose is possible.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an ultrasonic exciter consisting of a piezoelectric vibrator 1 and a diaphragm 2. As shown in FIG. The piezoelectric vibrator 1 has a rectangular plate-shaped piezoelectric ceramic 30, and the material of the piezoelectric ceramic 30 is TD.
Made of K72A material (product name), its length is 22mm and its width is 2.
0 mm, and the thickness is 1 mm. TDK72A material has a large electromechanical coupling coefficient and is therefore used in this example. The direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic 30 coincides with the thickness direction, and Au electrodes 31 and Au
An electrode 32 is formed. The Au electrode 31 is a piezoelectric ceramic 3
The Au electrode 32 covers the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic 30. A terminal P is attached to the Au electrode 31, and a terminal Q is attached to the Au electrode 32. The terminal P and the terminal Q are arranged at one edge of the piezoelectric ceramic 30 along the width direction. A tongue-shaped diaphragm 2 is attached to one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ultrasonic exciter. The diaphragm 2 is made of nickel and is fixed integrally with the piezoelectric vibrator 1 at an elongated plate-shaped fixing part 41, and the part of the diaphragm 2 that protrudes from the piezoelectric vibrator 1 is attached to the vibrating part 4.
It is 0. The fixed portion 41 is bonded to the piezoelectric vibrator 1 with an adhesive via the Au electrode 31. The diaphragm 2 has a length of 20 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a thickness of 0.05 mm. The fixed portion 41 has a length of 20 mm, a width of 3 mm, and a thickness of 0.05 mm. The vibrating portion 40 extends and projects outward from the edge of the piezoelectric vibrator 1 along the width direction in parallel to the plate surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 1 . The vibrating section 40 has a length of 17 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a thickness of 0.05 mm.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan view of the vibrating section 40 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating section 40 that appears when cut along a plane perpendicular to the plate surface. The vibrating section 40 is provided with a plurality of fine holes 50 penetrating through its thickness. The hole 50 has a mortar-like shape, and is used in this embodiment because one opening area is larger than the other opening area, and one opening is used as an inlet side and the other as an outlet side. The diameter on the inlet side is 0.1 mm, and the diameter on the outlet side is 0.1 mm.
02 mm, and the holes 50 are arranged at equal pitches.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the support stand 4, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support stand 4.
FIG. The support base 4 includes a pressure contact part 70 and a support part 71. The support base 4 is made of stainless steel, and the pressure contact portion 70 brings the piezoelectric vibrator 1 and the auxiliary plate 3 into pressure contact with each other by elasticity. This is to efficiently propagate the excitation of the piezoelectric vibrator 1 to the diaphragm 2. Further, the ultrasonic exciter is fixed to the main body by the support portion 71 so as to maintain an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. This is to increase the rate of supply of liquid into the minute gap between the diaphragm 2 and the auxiliary plate 3, to efficiently atomize the liquid and to enhance the suction effect.

When the ultrasonic inhalation device shown in FIG. is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 1. At this time, the frequency of the AC signal almost matches the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator 1. The piezoelectric vibrator 1 is excited, and the diaphragm 2
is vibrated in the form of a cantilever beam with the fixed portion 41 as the fixed end. On the other hand, the flow rate of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 7 is adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valve 6, and after passing through the liquid supply tube 5 and being controlled to a predetermined temperature, it flows into the minute gap between the diaphragm 2 and the auxiliary plate 3. reach. The auxiliary plate 3 is made of polystyrene foam, and is used in this embodiment because it has a lower acoustic impedance than the piezoelectric vibrator 1. Since the auxiliary plate 3 is made of polystyrene foam, propagation of the excitation of the piezoelectric vibrator 1 to the auxiliary plate 3 is suppressed, and the diaphragm 2 is efficiently vibrated. To supply liquid to the liquid storage chamber 7, after opening the main body lid 10,
Remove the injection port cap 8 and inject. Vibrating part 40
The vibration that occurs is a bending vibration, and the elastic vibration of the vibrating portion 40 effectively functions to atomize the liquid. As the vibration section 40 vibrates, the liquid supplied into the minute gap is guided to each hole 50 by capillary action. When the liquid passes through each hole 50, the area through which the liquid passes through each hole 50 decreases from the inlet side to the outlet side, so the liquid is subjected to a throttling action by the holes 50 and flows out to the upper part of the vibrating section 40. do. the result,
The hole 50 is reduced by the throttling action, the bending vibration of the vibrating part 40, the action of increasing the liquid supply rate due to the ultrasonic exciter being at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and the action of controlling the amount of liquid by the flow rate adjustment valve 6 into the minute gap. The liquid flowing out is efficiently atomized. The atomized mist passes through a flexible hose 20 attached to the mist outlet 12. When inhaling through the mouth, the oral inlet 22 is attached to the flexible hose 20, and when inhaling through the nose, the nasal inlet 2 is attached.
3 and attached to the flexible hose 20, mist will be ejected from the tip of the oral suction port 22 or nasal suction port 23, so when inhaling through the mouth, hold the tip of the oral suction port 22 in the mouth and inhale through the nose. Sometimes, by attaching the tip of the nasal suction port 23 to the nostrils, inhalation can be carried out efficiently. Note that if the drain lid 11 is opened during use, the internal pressure will not increase, which will not only allow for easy inhalation without physiological pain, but will also allow the mist that is not used for inhalation to flow back out to be discharged. be able to.

According to the ultrasonic inhaler of this embodiment, the amount of atomization reaches its maximum at a frequency of 114.6 kHz when the applied voltage is 9.8 V, and the power consumption at that time is 294 mW.
, the current is 30mA. Furthermore, the power consumption of the entire device including the power supply is 588 mW, and the current is 60 mA.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the length of the vibrating part 40 and the amount of atomization when the length of the vibrating part 40 is changed in an ultrasonic exciter consisting of a piezoelectric vibrator 1 and a diaphragm 2. FIG. When the length of the vibrating part is 17 mm, the atomization amount shows a maximum value of 27.5 ml/min. Further, FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the length of the vibrating section 40 and the height of the mist jet. However, the height at this time is the value of the eruption in the diagonal direction converted to the value vertically upward. The length of the vibrating part 40 is 17
The fog height reached a maximum value of 112 cm when mm.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the impedance phase and frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator 1 of this embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between impedance phase and frequency for a composite body of piezoelectric vibrator 1 and diaphragm 2. In FIG. Since the frequency value when the phase is 0 degrees indicates the resonant frequency, the piezoelectric vibrator 1 in FIG. 11 has four resonant frequencies. fa indicates the intermediate value of two of the four resonance frequencies. In FIG. 12, the peak near fa is divided into two, producing resonance frequencies fb1 and fb2, and the intermediate value f0 indicates the frequency at which the amount of atomization becomes maximum, and f0 almost coincides with fa. Note that as the length of the vibrating section 40 is shortened, fb1 and fb2 shift toward the high frequency side and move away from fa, so that the amount of atomization decreases.

[0027]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the ultrasonic inhaler of the present invention, water, medicine, and other liquids supplied to the vibrating plate are efficiently turned into a mist of fine particles by the effect of the holes provided in the vibrating part. Ru. Atomization by the action of the holes can promote fineness and uniformity of particles and increase the atomization efficiency, so using this device can increase the efficiency of inhalation without causing physiological pain. Moreover, since the atomization efficiency is high, it is possible to atomize a large amount with low power consumption, and the device can be easily made smaller and lighter.

[0028] By adopting a structure that controls the temperature of the liquid supplied to the diaphragm to body temperature or another predetermined temperature,
Since the temperature of the mist to be generated can be controlled to body temperature or another predetermined temperature, the temperature of the mist to be inhaled can be controlled according to the symptoms of the patient, and the effectiveness of inhalation can be enhanced.

By adopting a simple structure consisting of a piezoelectric ceramic and electrodes provided on both sides perpendicular to the polarization axis of the piezoelectric vibrator as the piezoelectric vibrator, the device can be made compact, and moreover, this device can achieve high efficiency. can atomize the liquid, which can promote the efficiency of inhalation. In addition, by adopting a structure in which the diaphragm is integrally fixed to at least one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator, the vibrating section bends and vibrates in the form of a cantilever beam with the fixed end as the fixed end. The liquid in the state of strong elastic vibration is atomized vertically upward. By employing a structure in which the opening area of one of the holes provided in the vibrating section is larger than the opening area of the other, the atomization effect is promoted. The synergistic effect of the opening area of one of the holes being different from the opening area of the other and the bending vibration of the vibrating part promotes the atomization of the liquid, increases the amount of mist generated, and increases the particle diameter. The effect of inhalation can be enhanced because the amount of inhalation becomes uniform. Furthermore, the piezoelectric vibrator has a structure in which the intermediate value of the two resonance frequencies in the composite of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm is approximately equal to the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator, and the dimension ratio of the length and width of the piezoelectric vibrator is close to 1. Moreover, by adopting a rectangular plate-like structure which is not equal to 1, the combined vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator-diaphragm composite is enhanced, so that the atomization efficiency is further promoted and the inhalation efficiency is increased.

The piezoelectric vibrator employs a structure consisting of a columnar piezoelectric ceramic having a hole vertically parallel to the polarization axis, and electrodes provided on both end faces perpendicular to the polarization axis. By adopting a structure provided inside the through hole or at a position covering the opening thereof, the excitation of the piezoelectric vibrator efficiently vibrates the diaphragm, so that the atomization efficiency can be increased. Therefore, the efficiency of inhalation can be increased. Moreover, the device can be made smaller, making it convenient to carry. By using a plurality of diaphragms, the fineness of the mist particles can be improved, thereby further enhancing the inhalation effect. By adopting a structure in which the diaphragm is integrally fixed to the inside of the through hole of the piezoelectric vibrator or at a position covering the opening thereof, the vibrating part is integrated with the piezoelectric vibrator and performs coupled vibration. The liquid that comes into contact with the vibrating part that is in a state of coupled vibration is atomized vertically upward. By employing a structure in which the opening area of one of the holes provided in the vibrating section is larger than the opening area of the other, the atomization effect is promoted. The synergistic effect of the opening area of one of the holes being different from the opening area of the other and the vibration of the vibrating part promotes the atomization of the liquid, increasing the amount of mist generated and reducing the particle diameter. Since it becomes uniform, the effect of inhalation can be improved. Furthermore, a structure in which one of the resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric vibrator-diaphragm composite is approximately equal to one of the resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric vibrator, and a structure in which the piezoelectric vibrator has a direction of its polarization axis. By adopting a rectangular or annular structure in which the ratio of the length to the shortest distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the end face is approximately equal to 1, the coupled vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator-diaphragm composite is enhanced. , the atomization efficiency can be further increased. Therefore, the efficiency of inhalation can be increased.

As the applied voltage increases, the amount of atomization also increases, so the amount of atomization can be freely changed by changing the voltage depending on the purpose. Therefore, effective inhalation can be performed depending on the purpose.

The liquid supply means includes a liquid storage chamber, a liquid supply tube for guiding liquid from the liquid storage chamber and supplying it to the vibrating section, and an auxiliary plate facing the vibrating plate with a small gap therebetween. The atomization efficiency can be increased because the supply can be carried out efficiently without waste. Therefore, the inhalation effect can be improved.

[0033] By employing a structure in which the liquid supply means drops the liquid onto the vibrating part, the supplied liquid can be efficiently atomized, thereby increasing the efficiency of suction.

[0034] The liquid supply means includes an auxiliary plate that faces all or part of the vibrating section with a small gap therebetween, and has a structure in which the auxiliary plate is brought into pressure contact with the piezoelectric vibrator, and a structure in which the piezoelectric vibrator and the vibrating plate are separated from each other. The ultrasonic exciter is held in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the liquid storage tank, or is floated on the liquid storage tank by buoyancy, and the auxiliary plate is made of foamed polystyrene or other material with lower acoustic impedance than the piezoelectric vibrator. By employing the material, the excitation of the piezoelectric vibrator is efficiently propagated to the diaphragm, increasing the atomization efficiency. Therefore, the efficiency of inhalation is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic inhalation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a flexible hose 20 attached to a discharge outlet 12, a mouth suction port 22, and a nasal suction port 23.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an ultrasonic exciter including a piezoelectric vibrator 1 and a diaphragm 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ultrasonic exciter of FIG. 3.

5 is a partially enlarged plan view of the vibrating section 40 in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating portion 40 that appears when cut along a plane perpendicular to the plate surface.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the support base 4.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the support base 4.

FIG. 9: Characteristics showing the relationship between the length of the vibrating part 40 and the amount of atomization when the length of the vibrating part 40 is changed in an ultrasonic exciter consisting of a piezoelectric vibrator 1 and a diaphragm 2. figure.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the length of the vibrating section 40 and the height of mist jetting.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the impedance phase and frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator 1 of this example.

FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between impedance phase and frequency for a composite body of piezoelectric vibrator 1 and diaphragm 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Piezoelectric vibrator 2 Diaphragm 3 Auxiliary board 4 Support stand 5 Liquid supply tube 6 Flow rate adjustment valve 7 Liquid storage chamber 8 Inlet cap 9 Power supply section 10　　　Body lid 11 Drainage lid 12 Mist outlet 20 Flexible hose 21　　　Body mounting part 22 Mouth inlet 23 Nasal inlet 30 Piezoelectric ceramic 31 Electrode 32 Electrode 40 Vibration part 41 Fixed part 50 holes 70 Pressure welding part 71 Support part

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: Ultrasonic waves that atomize water, medicinal solutions, or other liquids using elastic vibrations generated by an ultrasonic exciter made of a piezoelectric vibrator with a diaphragm fixed to them, and inhale the liquid mist through the nose or mouth. An ultrasonic inhaler characterized in that the ultrasonic inhaler is provided with means for supplying the liquid to the ultrasonic exciter, and the vibrating plate is provided with a large number of holes at least within a specific range. 2. The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply means includes means for controlling the temperature of the liquid supplied to the ultrasonic exciter to body temperature or another predetermined temperature. Device. 3. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a piezoelectric ceramic and electrodes formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic perpendicular to the polarization axis, and the diaphragm is formed on at least one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator. is fixed to the piezoelectric vibrator, and has a vibrating part that protrudes outward from the piezoelectric vibrator substantially parallel to the surface of the piezoelectric vibrator, and the hole is provided in the vibrating part, and the The ultrasonic suction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening area of one side of the diaphragm is different from the area of the opening of the other side. 4. A resonant frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator is approximately equal to an intermediate value of two resonant frequencies in a composite body of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm, and the piezoelectric vibrator has a length-to-width dimension ratio of 1. 4. The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic inhaler is a rectangular plate close to and not equal to 1. 5. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a columnar piezoelectric ceramic whose end faces are on both sides perpendicular to the polarization axis, and a columnar piezoelectric ceramic having a hole extending parallel to the polarization axis, and an electrode fixed to each of the end faces. The diaphragm is provided in at least one location covering the opening of the through hole or inside the through hole substantially parallel to the end surface, and the periphery of the diaphragm is fixed to the piezoelectric vibrator. A part of the diaphragm surrounded by a fixed part fixed to the piezoelectric vibrator constitutes a vibrating part, and the hole is provided in the vibrating part, and the part of the diaphragm in the hole is The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening area of one opening is different from the opening area of the other opening. 6. One of the resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric vibrator is approximately equal to one of the resonant frequencies of a composite body of the piezoelectric vibrator and the diaphragm, and the piezoelectric vibrator has a rectangular shape or 6. The piezoelectric vibrator has an annular shape, and the ratio of the length of the piezoelectric vibrator in the direction of the polarization axis to the shortest distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the end surface is approximately equal to 1. Ultrasonic inhaler.