JPH07328503A - Ultrasonic oscillator and ultrasonic spraying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an ultrasonic oscillator and an ultrasonic spraying apparatus wherein there exists no possibility of retention of a spraying medium on an ultrasonic emitting face and falling down of the spraying medium without spraying and spraying can be efficiently and stably performed. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic spraying apparatus is constituted of an ultrasonic oscillator 1, a main body case 3 on which this is fixed, a liq. feeding pump 4 for feeding a spraying medium and an oscillator 5 for driving the ultrasonic oscillator. A fine channel 11b is provided on an ultrasonic emitting face 11a of this ultrasonic oscillator 1 and a fed spraying medium is sprayed by means of ultrasonic wave emitted from this ultrasonic emitting face.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic vibrator and an ultrasonic atomizer using the ultrasonic vibrator, and atomizes a disinfectant solution for sterilizing hands and the like mainly in hospitals and clinics. It is also used for spraying molten metal, spraying pesticide liquid, spraying fumigant disinfectant liquid, vaporizer, turbine, paint sprayer, slurry sprayer and burner, fuel injection, and aromatic substance spraying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic atomizer is required as a device for medical use that atomizes an antiseptic solution, sprays it onto hands and disinfects it, and does not require hand-wiping, and recently several devices have been developed. Has been done. Currently, means of utilizing ultrasonic waves to atomize liquids are commonly employed. The reason is that the amount of atomization and the atomized particle size have the advantage that they can be independently controlled by varying the power supplied to the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic frequency. A configuration example of a conventional ultrasonic atomizer is shown in FIGS.
6 will be described. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer used in a conventional ultrasonic atomizer, and FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway front view of the ultrasonic atomizer using the ultrasonic transducer. A Langevin type ultrasonic transducer 8 is bolted in the main body case 3 with a front surface (front side) partially open.
An ultrasonic wave of a radiating metal block (to be referred to as an ultrasonic transducer 8 hereinafter) is pierced through the side surface of the main body case 3 and is pressure-contacted with each tip of a plurality of supporting bodies 33 and 34 protruding inward. The radiation surface 81a is horizontally suspended and supported. The ultrasonic transducer 8 includes a radiating metal block 81 and a rear metal block 8.
2, two annular piezoelectric elements 83, 84 are interposed between the piezoelectric element 8 and the radiating metal block 81 and the piezoelectric element 8
3. Electrode plates 85 and 86 are interposed between the piezoelectric element 83 and the piezoelectric element 84, respectively. Each metal block 81,8
2 has a screw hole formed in its central portion,
Further, through holes are also provided in a part of the electrode plates 85 and 86, and bolts 87 are screwed into these holes to fasten and fix the respective components. This ultrasonic transducer 8
Since the tensile stress of the piezoelectric elements 83 and 84 is weaker than the compressive stress, it is used as an ultrasonic wave generation source for inputting a large power by giving a tensile stress with a bolt. Ultrasonic wave emitting surface 8 which is the lower end surface of the emitting metal block of the ultrasonic transducer
A mesh metal plate 9 is joined and fixed to 1a. This mesh-shaped metal plate was previously filed by the same applicant as Japanese Patent Application No. 5-68.
No. 328 is disclosed as a medium diffusing section, which promotes atomization of liquid.

Liquid supply nozzles 41 and 43 for supplying the disinfecting liquid to the side surface of the mesh metal plate 9 or the radiating metal block 81 have liquid supply ports at the tips thereof located above the mesh metal plate. It is fixed through the body case. The disinfecting liquid in a liquid storage tank (not shown) is supplied to each of the liquid supply nozzles 41 and 43 through the tubes 42 and 44 by the drive of the liquid supply pump 4, and the liquid supply ports on the mesh metal plate 9 or It is dropped on the side surface of the radiating metal block 81. On the other hand, in the ultrasonic vibrator, mechanical vibration is generated by supplying a voltage of a predetermined frequency from the oscillator 5 to the piezoelectric elements 83, 84 through the respective electrode plates 85, 86, and this is transmitted to both metal blocks 81, 82. Resonance occurs due to the standing wave generated thereby. Although not shown in the figure, a switching photoelectric sensor for detecting that the inside of the body case 3 has been put in through the opening is provided in the lower portion of the front surface of the body case 3 in a non-contact manner.

When a hand is put into the main body case through the front opening of the main body case 3 in the ultrasonic atomizing apparatus having such a structure, the photoelectric sensor detects this and the liquid supply pump 4 and the oscillator 5 are switched by this switching. Drive together. The ultrasonic vibrator 8 converts electric energy of a predetermined frequency supplied from the oscillator into mechanical vibration energy, and the vibration also excites and vibrates the mesh metal plate 9 to mist the disinfectant liquid supplied from the liquid supply nozzle. It is sprung up and spouted in the hand.

[0005]

The above ultrasonic atomizer uses an ultrasonic vibrator having an atomization promoting portion such as a mesh-shaped metal plate, so that the conventional ultrasonic atomizer is not devised. The atomization efficiency is dramatically improved compared to the atomizer. An ultrasonic atomizer using such an ultrasonic transducer has good atomization efficiency when the atomization conditions are good, but when the liquid to be supplied has a high thixotropic property, or when the supply amount is large. Or, if the atomization conditions are poor such as when the ambient temperature is low, the atomization efficiency may decrease, and the liquid may stay on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or drop without being atomized. Also,
Although related to such liquid retention, the area where the liquid is atomized on the ultrasonic radiation surface may be biased depending on the operating environment such as high or low temperature, making atomization to the desired position or range difficult. There was a case. In addition, the miniaturization of the atomizer is required to reduce the size of the ultrasonic transducer, but in such a case,
The ultrasonic wave emitting surface also becomes smaller, and the mesh-like metal plate attached here becomes a mechanical load. In such a case, there is a problem that the ultrasonic vibration is hindered and the driving impedance becomes high.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the atomization efficiency of the liquid has an influence on the type of liquid to be supplied (such as high thixotropy), the liquid supply amount, or the ambient temperature. The ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic wave that can be efficiently and stably atomized without causing liquid to stay on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or drop without being atomized depending on usage conditions. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic atomizing device using a vibrator. Further, it is also intended to correspond to miniaturization of the ultrasonic transducer. further,
An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer in which the atomization area is not biased depending on the use environment, and an ultrasonic atomizing device using the ultrasonic transducer.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 supplies an atomizing medium to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and the fog is generated by ultrasonic vibration. An ultrasonic vibrator for atomizing a chemical medium, wherein at least one fine groove is formed on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic vibrator, which supplies an atomizing medium to an ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizes the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration. It is an ultrasonic transducer characterized in that at least one circular narrow groove or arc-shaped narrow groove is provided on an ultrasonic wave emitting surface. A plurality of circular grooves or the like may be formed such as forming a plurality of concentric circles, and circular or arc-shaped thin grooves may be formed in a mixed manner, or at the same time as the invention described in other claims of the present invention. It may be formed by mixing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic vibrator which supplies an atomizing medium to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizes the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic transducer is characterized in that a spiral groove is provided on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic vibrator which supplies an atomizing medium to an ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizes the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration, and a portion to which the atomizing medium is supplied. It is an ultrasonic transducer characterized in that grooves are radially formed from.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic transducer for supplying an atomizing medium to an ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizing the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration. Ultrasonic wave emitting surface average surface roughness 0.2μm to 200μ
It is an ultrasonic transducer characterized by being a rough surface of m.

The invention of claim 6 is defined by claims 1 to 5.
An ultrasonic transducer according to the paragraph, having a means for supplying an atomizing medium to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave oscillator or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and a means for driving the ultrasonic wave oscillator, The ultrasonic atomization device atomizes the atomization medium by ultrasonic vibration.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface spreads widely over a part or the whole of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface due to the capillary action of the fine grooves. By radiating ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface to the spread atomizing medium, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without retaining the atomizing medium.
Since the mesh metal plate (atomization promoting section) is not used as in the conventional case, the driving impedance does not increase.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the narrow groove is formed in a circular shape or an arc shape, the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is guided to the narrow groove having the shape. Widely spread especially around the ultrasonic radiation surface. Therefore, similarly to the invention described in claim 1, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without the atomizing medium remaining.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the fine grooves are spiral, the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is
It is guided by the narrow groove of the shape and spreads widely especially around the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the grooves are formed radially from the portion to which the atomizing medium is supplied, the atomizing medium spreads widely on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface through the narrow grooves. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is roughened to have an average surface roughness of 0.2 μm to 200 μm, the atomizing medium is ultrasonically emitted by the capillary phenomenon. Widely spread over part or all of the surface. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

According to the invention of claim 6, the atomizing medium is supplied to the ultrasonic transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave oscillator or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. And means for driving this ultrasonic transducer,
Since the ultrasonic atomization device atomizes the atomization medium by ultrasonic vibration, the drive impedance is low and the atomization medium can be efficiently atomized.

The comparison data of the product of the present invention and the product of the conventional example are shown.
FIG. 13 shows ultrasonic transducers of the present invention product and the conventional product,
It is a figure which shows the drive impedance change at the time of changing the supply amount of the atomization medium. When the atomizing medium stays on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the driving impedance becomes higher than usual. In other words, unless the supply amount of the atomizing medium is too small, if the drive impedance becomes higher than usual, it indicates that the atomizing medium stays on the ultrasonic radiation surface. In the graph, A1 has a depth of about 1 on the ultrasonic radiation surface as shown in FIG.
A2 is an ultrasonic transducer in which fine grooves having a width of 1 μm, a width of about 1 μm and a length of 10 mm are formed. A2 is a depth of about 2 μm on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface,
An ultrasonic transducer in which three narrow grooves each having a width of about 1 μm and a length of 8 mm are formed substantially parallel to each other. B1 has a depth of about 2 μm, a width of about 1 μm, and a diameter of 10 mm on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface as shown in FIG. It is an ultrasonic transducer with circular grooves, and B2 consists of three concentric circles with a depth of about 2 μm, a width of about 1 μm and diameters of 10 mm, 7 mm, and 4 mm, respectively, as shown in FIG. C1 is an ultrasonic transducer that has circular grooves.
Is an ultrasonic transducer in which the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is roughened to have an average roughness of 2 μm without providing fine grooves, and C2 is the same as the ultrasonic wave emitting surface to be roughened to have an average roughness of 6 μm. An ultrasonic oscillator, D is a conventional example, and has a configuration in which a mesh metal plate is attached to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. In each case, the diameter of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer is 15 mm, pure water is used as the atomizing medium, and the experiment is performed under the conditions of operating at an ambient temperature of 10 ° C., a driving power of 15 W, and a frequency of 60 KHz. From this graph, the conventional example shows that the driving impedance is high as a whole, the driving impedance is high even when the supply amount of the atomizing medium is relatively small, and that the atomizing medium starts to stay early. It can be understood that each of the products of the present invention does not have a high drive impedance even when the supply amount of the atomizing medium increases to some extent, and thus obtains good atomizing efficiency. In addition, the atomization efficiency is higher in a plurality of linear fine grooves than in one circular circular groove.
Regarding roughening, there is no big difference between the two experimental examples, and good atomization efficiency is obtained overall.

Next, FIG. 14 shows comparative data on the maximum atomization amount when the average surface roughness of the roughened surface of the product of the present invention is changed. When the amount of the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is increased under a given driving condition, the atomizing amount sharply decreases at a certain point of time.
At this time, the atomizing medium stays as a liquid on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and if the atomizing medium is continuously supplied, it drops from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. The point at which the atomization amount sharply decreases is called the atomization limit, and the supply amount of the atomization medium immediately before the atomization limit per unit time is called the maximum atomization amount. As is clear from FIG. 14, when the average surface roughness is 0.1 μm,
Only maximum atomization rate of 1cc / sec can be obtained, but 0.2μm
Can obtain a maximum atomization rate of 0.2 cc / sec, which is about double, and a maximum atomization rate of about 0.5 cc / sec can be obtained with an average surface roughness of about 1 μm. When the average surface roughness is 200 μm or more, the maximum atomization amount sharply decreases and the atomization efficiency deteriorates.

The depth of the groove, the width of the groove, and the number of grooves are determined by the size of the ultrasonic transducer or the type of atomizing medium,
It may be determined depending on the operating environment such as operating temperature.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer used in the ultrasonic atomizer, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the ultrasonic atomizer using the ultrasonic transducer shown in FIG. . It should be noted that some of the structural parts that are the same as those of the conventional example are given the same reference numerals for description. The bolted Langevin type ultrasonic transducer 1 (hereinafter referred to as the ultrasonic transducer 1) includes a radiating metal block 11 and an electrode plate 1 having an annular portion from below.
5, an annular piezoelectric element 13, an electrode plate 16 having an annular portion, an annular piezoelectric element 14 and a rear metal block 12, and a bolt is provided at the center of the radiation metal block 11 and the rear metal block 12. A hole is formed. A bolt 17 is screwed into each of these holes, and each component is tightened and fixed by a washer and a nut. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface 11a, which is the lower end surface of the radiating metal block of the ultrasonic vibrator 1, has a diameter of about 15 mm, a depth of about 1 μm, and a width of about 1 μm.
A linear fine groove 11b having a length of m and a length of 10 mm is provided. It should be noted that the thin groove in each drawing is represented by a thin line for convenience of drawing, and this is the same in each drawing for explaining each embodiment below. An elastic ring 12a is attached to the outer periphery of the rear metal block at a supporting portion when suspending and supporting the ultrasonic transducer 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, such an ultrasonic transducer 1 is installed in the main body case 3 of the ultrasonic atomizer. The main body case 3 has an opening 3a that is partially open at the lower part of the front surface (front side), and a plurality of inwardly projecting supports 31 and 32 are provided at the upper part inside the case. ing. The ultrasonic transducer is supported so that the elastic ring 12a is pressed at each tip of the support so that the ultrasonic wave emission surface is located below, and the ultrasonic wave emission surface is positioned horizontally.
Further, liquid supply nozzles 41 and 43 for supplying the disinfecting liquid, which is an atomizing medium, to the radiant metal block 11 penetrate the main body case 3 so that the liquid supply ports at the tips thereof are located above the radiant metal block. It is fixed. The disinfecting liquid in a liquid storage tank (not shown) is supplied to each of the liquid supply nozzles 41 and 43 through the tubes 42 and 44 by driving the liquid supply pump 4, and the radiation metal block 11 is supplied from each liquid supply port.
It is dripped on each. On the other hand, the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is supplied with a voltage of a predetermined frequency from the oscillator 5 via the lead wires 51, 52 to the piezoelectric elements 13, 14 through the respective electrode plates 15, 16. As a result, mechanical vibration based on the inverse piezoelectric effect is excited, is transmitted to both metal blocks 11 and 12 through mechanical contact, and the standing wave generated thereby causes resonance. Although not shown in the figure, a switching photoelectric sensor for detecting that the inside of the main body case 3 has been put in through the opening 3a is provided in the lower front portion of the main body case 3 in a non-contact manner.

As described in the conventional example, when a hand is inserted into the inside of the main body case from the front opening of the main body case 3 in the ultrasonic atomizing device having such a structure, this is detected by the photoelectric sensor. The liquid supply pump 4 and the oscillator 5 are both driven by the switching. The ultrasonic vibrator 1 converts electric energy of a predetermined frequency supplied from the oscillator into mechanical vibration energy and vibrates. When the disinfecting liquid, which is an atomizing medium, is supplied from the liquid supply nozzle to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 11a,
The disinfectant liquid spreads on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface due to the capillary phenomenon of the narrow groove, which is atomized and ejected to the hand. The atomizing medium such as the disinfectant may be supplied to the side surface of the radiating metal block. In this case, the atomizing medium is supplied by flowing from the side surface to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface.

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. The description of the same components as those in the first embodiment is omitted. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer 1 used in this embodiment has the same shape as that shown in the first embodiment,
Two linear narrow grooves 11b and 11c are provided so as to intersect with each other in the central portion of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. When the disinfecting liquid, which is an atomizing medium, is supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 11a from the liquid supply nozzle, the disinfectant solution spreads widely on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface due to the capillary action of the fine grooves 11b and 11c, and this is atomized to the hand. Erupted. The fine grooves may be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or a combination thereof other than the above-mentioned embodiments.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer used in the ultrasonic atomizing device, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface shown in FIG. It should be noted that some of the structural parts that are the same as those of the conventional example are given the same reference numerals for description. The bolted Langevin type ultrasonic transducer 1 (hereinafter referred to as the ultrasonic transducer 1) includes a radiation metal block 11, an electrode plate 15 having an annular portion, an annular piezoelectric element 13, and an electrode having an annular portion from the bottom. It is composed of a plate 16, an annular piezoelectric element 14, and a rear metal block 12, and a bolt hole is formed in the central portion of the radiation metal block 11 and the rear metal block 12. Screw the bolt 17 into each of these holes,
Each component is tightened and fixed by a washer and a nut. A circular groove 11d is provided on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 11a, which is the lower end surface of the radiating metal block of the ultrasonic vibrator 1. The grooves may be relatively fine with a depth of 2 μm and a width of 2 μm, for example. Although not shown, an elastic ring 12a is attached to the outer periphery of the rear metal block at the supporting portion when suspending and supporting the ultrasonic transducer 1 as in the first embodiment.

An atomizing medium such as a disinfecting liquid is supplied from the liquid supply nozzle to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 11a, which is atomized and ejected to the hand. Circular groove 11 provided on this ultrasonic wave emitting surface
Due to the presence of d, the atomizing medium is guided to the narrow groove of the shape and spreads widely particularly around the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized without staying on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic vibrator used in this example. The description of the same components as those in the first embodiment is omitted. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave oscillator 1 used in this embodiment is provided with three concentric narrow grooves 11d. As described in the section of the above-mentioned action, such a configuration is
Compared with the configuration of the single circular groove shown in the embodiment, the atomization medium spreads smoothly on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface by the capillary phenomenon, and the atomization can be performed more efficiently.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is an internal cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic atomizer, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic vibrator used in this embodiment. The ultrasonic transducer 2 used in this embodiment has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and has a configuration capable of emitting ultrasonic waves in both left and right directions. From the left of the drawing, the radiating metal block 21, the electrode plate 25 having an annular portion, the annular piezoelectric element 23, the electrode plate 22 having an annular portion, the annular piezoelectric element 24, the rear metal block 2
It is composed of two parts, which are integrally fastened and fixed by bolts or the like. Radiant metal block 21,22
The ultrasonic wave emitting surfaces 21a and 22a are formed on each of the above, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surfaces 21a and 22a are formed from the respective side surfaces.
Is provided with atomization medium introduction holes 21b and 22b. As shown in FIG. 8, the introduction hole 21b (the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 22
The same applies to the above), and several arc-shaped narrow grooves 21c whose one end is in the vicinity of the relevant portion are formed symmetrically. The ultrasonic transducer needs to be installed in a storage case, which will be described later, so that the introduction hole is located above.

The ultrasonic vibrator having such a structure is housed in the housing case 7. The storage case 7 is formed with an opening that opens in both longitudinal directions, and the atomized medium that has been atomized is emitted from this opening. The storage case is provided with elastic supports 73 and 74 for supporting and fixing the ultrasonic vibrator, and the atomizing medium is introduced into the above-mentioned introduction holes 21a and 22b at the upper part.
The introduction pipes 75 and 76 for guiding the
The atomizing medium is supplied to the pump 76 from the pump 4 through the tubes 41 and 42. The above-mentioned electrode plates 25 and 26 are connected to the oscillator for driving the piezoelectric vibrator by the lead wires 51 and 52. In the ultrasonic oscillator and the ultrasonic atomizing device configured as described above, by driving the ultrasonic oscillator and supplying the atomizing medium, the atomizing medium is supplied from the introduction hole to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and is radially formed. The formed groove spreads the atomizing medium over the entire surface of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, which is atomized and vigorously emitted to both left and right sides. In addition, like the first embodiment,
The ultrasonic wave emitting surface may be set to one side. In this case, a mechanism for supplying the atomizing medium such as an introduction hole is not required on the unused surface.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic vibrator used in this example. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface 21d of the ultrasonic wave oscillator 1 used in this embodiment has a hexagonal shape. Such a configuration is effective when tightening the radiation metal block, and has an advantage of facilitating the assembly of the ultrasonic transducer. The two narrow grooves formed on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface have a dogleg shape (inverted dogleg shape), and have a shape that partially matches the outer peripheral shape of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. In this way, the shape of the narrow groove may be selected according to the shape of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface.

The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic vibrator used in this example. This embodiment shows an example in which the atomizing medium introduction hole is not formed.
The ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer 1 used in this embodiment is provided with three concentric narrow grooves 11f and a plurality of connecting grooves 21g connecting the respective circles. With such a configuration, the atomization medium can be smoothly spread to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface due to the capillary phenomenon, and atomization can be performed more efficiently.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. This embodiment shows an example in which the atomizing medium introduction hole is not formed. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface 21a is formed with a spiral groove 21h extending from the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof toward the central portion. Also in the ultrasonic transducer having such a configuration, the atomizing medium spreads over the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface as in the above-mentioned embodiment,
Efficient atomization can be performed.

The ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. Several grooves are radially formed on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 21a from the introduction hole 21b. Drive the ultrasonic transducer,
By supplying the atomizing medium, the atomizing medium is supplied from the introduction hole to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and the grooves formed in a radial shape spread the atomizing medium over the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface. To be done. Note that the number of radially formed grooves is not limited to a linear groove, and an arc shape or the like may be adopted depending on the shape of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. The ultrasonic transducer needs to be installed in a storage case, which will be described later, so that the introduction hole is located above.

A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is roughened. For example, when the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is roughened with an average surface roughness of about 4 μm, a sandpaper of GC # 40 is used and a load of 3 k is applied.
The polishing may be performed with g. This gives an average surface roughness of about 4μ
You have a rough surface of m. Some explanations are omitted because the experimental example that has already been roughened is shown in the section of action, but when the average surface roughness is 0.2 μm or less, the diffusion of the atomizing medium due to the capillary phenomenon is not smooth. , Again 200 μm
Beyond the above, this capillary phenomenon is less likely to occur, and similarly the diffusion of the atomizing medium is impaired.

As has been made clear by the above description, the ultrasonic transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is used, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave oscillator or the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave oscillator is changed. Driving impedance is provided by forming an ultrasonic atomizing device that has a means for supplying an atomizing medium in the vicinity and a means for driving this ultrasonic vibrator and atomizes the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration. And the atomization medium can be atomized efficiently.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an example in which the ultrasonic transducers are vertically installed and an example in which the ultrasonic transducers are horizontally installed are shown. However, the present invention can be applied regardless of the installation direction. It has the effect of improving the

[0038]

According to the present invention, the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface spreads to a part or the whole of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface by the capillary phenomenon. By radiating ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface to the spread atomizing medium, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without retaining the atomizing medium. Since the mesh metal plate (atomization promoting section) is not used as in the conventional case, the driving impedance does not increase. Therefore, even if the ultrasonic transducer is downsized, or the usage conditions such as the type of liquid to which atomization efficiency is supplied (high thixotropy, etc.), the amount of liquid supplied, the ambient temperature, etc., It is possible to obtain an ultrasonic vibrator and an ultrasonic atomizing device that can efficiently and stably atomize liquid without stagnation on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or dropping without being atomized.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the narrow groove is formed in a circular shape or an arc shape, the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is guided to the narrow groove of the shape. Widely spread especially around the ultrasonic radiation surface. Therefore, the atomizing medium is more efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the fine grooves are spiral, the atomizing medium supplied to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is
It is guided by the narrow groove of the shape and spreads widely especially around the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the grooves are radially formed from the portion to which the atomizing medium is supplied, the atomizing medium spreads widely on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface through the narrow grooves. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is roughened to have an average surface roughness of 0.2 μm to 200 μm, the atomizing medium emits ultrasonic wave by the capillary phenomenon. Widely spread over part or all of the surface. Therefore, the atomizing medium is efficiently atomized and sprayed from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface without staying.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an internal cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing comparative data.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing comparative data.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway front view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,2,8 Ultrasonic transducer 11,21,81 Radiation metal block 11a, 21a, 21d, 22a, 81a Ultrasonic radiation surface 12, 22, 82 Rear metal block 13, 14, 23, 24, 83, 84 Piezoelectric Element 15, 16, 25, 26, 85, 86 Electrode plate 17,87 Volt 31,32 Support 4 Pump 5 Oscillator 7 Storage case

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic transducer for supplying an atomizing medium to an ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and atomizing the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration. An ultrasonic transducer, wherein at least one fine groove is formed. 2. An ultrasonic transducer for supplying an atomizing medium to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizing the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is provided. An ultrasonic transducer comprising at least one circular fine groove or arc fine groove. 3. An ultrasonic transducer for supplying an atomizing medium to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizing the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is provided. An ultrasonic transducer having a spiral groove. 4. An ultrasonic transducer for supplying an atomizing medium to an ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizing the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration, wherein grooves are radially formed from a portion to which the atomizing medium is supplied. An ultrasonic transducer characterized by being formed. 5. An ultrasonic transducer for supplying an atomizing medium to an ultrasonic wave emitting surface or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface and atomizing the atomizing medium by ultrasonic vibration, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is An ultrasonic transducer having a rough surface with an average surface roughness of μm to μm. 6. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, a means for supplying an atomizing medium to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave oscillator or in the vicinity of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and the ultrasonic wave oscillator. An ultrasonic atomization device that has means for driving a sound wave oscillator and atomizes the atomization medium by ultrasonic vibration.