WO2014002771A1

WO2014002771A1 - Liquid spraying device

Info

Publication number: WO2014002771A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/066237
Authority: WO
Inventors: 田畑　信; 寺田　隆雄; 朝井　慶; 真郎前田
Original assignee: オムロンヘルスケア株式会社
Priority date: 2012-06-26
Filing date: 2013-06-12
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: JP2014004211A

Abstract

Provided is a liquid spraying device that can spray a liquid stably. This liquid spraying device is a device that comprises a thin-plate-shaped mesh part (1) having through holes formed therein, and that atomizes and jets the liquid by making same pass through the through holes. The mesh part (1) has an entrance surface (1B) on the side where the liquid flows into the through holes, and an exit surface (1A) on the side where the liquid flows out from the through holes. The liquid spraying device further comprises: a horn vibrator (40) including a surface (42) that opposes the entrance surface (1B); and a spacer (10) that is provided on the peripheral edge part (3) of the mesh part (1) on the side of the entrance surface (1B) and that forms a space (12) between the entrance surface (1B) and said surface (42). The spacer (10) forms a passage where the liquid flows into said space. By the vibration of the horn vibrator (40), the liquid supplied to the space (12) passes through the through holes and is jetted in an atomized manner.

Description

Liquid spray device

The present invention relates to a liquid spraying device, and more particularly to a liquid spraying device for atomizing and ejecting a liquid.

The liquid spray device is used, for example, for the purpose of delivering a therapeutic agent for liquid respiratory diseases in the form of a mist and administering the therapeutic agent to the affected area by the patient inhaling the mist. A liquid spraying device that atomizes and ejects a liquid such as a chemical solution is generally a liquid storage part that stores liquid, a mesh part that has a large number of micropores, and a vibration source that is disposed so as to contact the mesh part. And comprising. A liquid is supplied from the liquid storage part between the mesh part and the vibration source. The liquid supplied between the mesh part and the vibration source is sprayed outward through the fine holes as the vibration source vibrates. Conventional liquid spray apparatuses are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-297226 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-256170 (Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-297226 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-256170

In the liquid spraying device, in order to spray the liquid from the fine holes formed in the mesh part, a space for storing the liquid is required between the mesh part and the vibration source. The mesh portion and the vibration source need to be easily separable due to the necessity of cleaning or the like, and the mesh portion cannot be directly fixed to the vibration source. Therefore, it is difficult to stably secure the distance between the vibration source and the mesh part. The distance between the vibration source and the mesh part greatly affects the stability of the spray, and if the distance between the vibration source and the mesh part varies, the spray performance may fluctuate, making it difficult to stably spray the liquid. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a liquid spraying apparatus capable of spraying a liquid stably.

The liquid spraying apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that includes a thin plate-like mesh portion in which a through hole is formed, and atomizes and ejects liquid through the through hole. The mesh portion has an inlet surface on the side where the liquid flows into the through hole and an outlet surface on the side where the liquid flows out of the through hole. The liquid spraying device further includes a vibration source including a surface facing the inlet surface, and a spacer provided on the inlet surface side of the peripheral portion of the mesh portion and forming a space between the inlet surface and the surface. The spacer forms a passage through which liquid flows into the space. When the vibration source vibrates, the liquid supplied to the space passes through the through hole and is ejected in a mist form.

In the liquid spraying device, the spacer may be formed in an annular shape along the peripheral edge, and the passage may extend in a groove shape along the radial direction of the spacer.

In the liquid spraying apparatus, the spacer may have a facing surface facing the surface of the vibration source, and a gap may be formed between at least a part of the facing surface and the surface. The surface of the vibration source may be inclined relative to the entrance surface.

In the liquid spraying apparatus, the vibration source and the spacer may be arranged so that a part of the space does not overlap the surface of the vibration source in the thickness direction of the mesh portion. The maximum diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the space may be larger than the maximum diameter of the surface, and the center of the spacer may be shifted from the center of the surface.

In the liquid spraying device, the passage may communicate the outer peripheral side space of the vibration source with the space.
In the liquid spraying device, the mesh portion may be made of resin.

According to the liquid spraying apparatus of the present invention, in a structure in which the mesh portion and the vibration source can be separated, the distance between the mesh portion and the vibration source can be kept constant and the liquid can be sprayed stably.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a liquid spray device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottle unit provided in the liquid spraying apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the state which the bottle unit with which the liquid spray apparatus in Embodiment 1 is equipped decomposed | disassembled. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the state which the bottle unit with which the liquid spraying apparatus in Embodiment 1 is equipped decomposed | disassembled. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a disassembled state of a bottle unit provided in the liquid spray device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cross section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the vicinity of the mesh part in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during spraying of a bottle unit used in the liquid spraying apparatus in the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of a configuration of a mesh portion according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a configuration of a spacer according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the mesh part which expands and shows the area | region XII vicinity in FIG. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement which passes the through-hole of a mesh part and atomizes a liquid. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a mesh part according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a configuration of a spacer according to a third embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of spraying of the liquid spraying apparatus of Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of spacers and vibration sources in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the arrangement of spacers and vibration sources according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer and the vibration source along the line XIX-XIX shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer and the vibration source along the line XX-XX shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the arrangement of spacers and vibration sources in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer and the vibration source along the line XXII-XXII shown in FIG. 21.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of each embodiment, when referring to the number, amount, or the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, or the like unless otherwise specified. In the description of each embodiment, the same parts and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may not be repeated. Unless there is a restriction | limiting in particular, it is planned from the beginning to use suitably combining the structure shown in each embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
(Liquid spraying device 100)
With reference to FIG. 1, the liquid spraying apparatus 100 in this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the liquid spraying apparatus 100. The liquid spray apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a so-called mesh nebulizer used for administering a therapeutic agent for respiratory system diseases to a patient. The liquid spraying apparatus 100 includes a main body unit 20 and a bottle unit 30.

(Main body 20)
The main body 20 has a power switch 21 on the surface. A power source (not shown) and an electric circuit (not shown) for driving the liquid spray device 100 (vibrating a horn vibrator 40 described later) and the like are provided inside the main body 20. The bottle unit 30 is detachably attached to the main body unit 20.

(Bottle unit 30)
The details of the bottle unit 30 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottle unit 30. FIG. 3 is a first perspective view showing the bottle unit 30 in an exploded state. FIG. 4 is a second perspective view showing the bottle unit 30 in an exploded state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the bottle unit 30 in an exploded state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cross section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. In FIG. 6, for convenience of illustration, the mesh portion 1 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) (details will be described later) is not shown. In FIG. 6, similarly, the mesh portion 1, the

support members

50 and 52, and the hermetic support packing 51 are not shown (the details thereof will be described later). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of the mesh portion 1 in FIG.

2 to 5, the bottle unit 30 includes a mesh unit 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5), a bottle unit 31 as a liquid storage unit, and a horn vibrator 40 (as a vibration source). 3 to 5).

(Mesh part 1)
A large number of fine through holes are formed in the mesh portion 1. Although details will be described later, the mesh portion 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5) is disposed so as to face the surface 42 of the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40 and to contact the surface 42. The mesh part 1 is made of resin. The mesh part 1 may be a mold-molded product using a mold, for example, or may be formed by any other processing method. Examples of the resin material forming the mesh portion 1 include polyamide resin, polyester, syndiopolystyrene, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), epoxy, and phenol. And polyimide. From the viewpoint of processability in resin molding, it is preferable to use, for example, polysulfone, polyetheretherketone, or PPS.

The mesh part 1 may be made of metal. For example, the mesh portion 1 may be formed of nickel alloy such as Ni—Pd (nickel-palladium) alloyed with a predetermined ratio, platinum, or the like. Alternatively, the mesh part 1 may be made of ceramics. For example, the mesh part 1 may be formed of alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, or the like.

The mesh portion 1 of the present embodiment is formed as an independent member, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mesh part 1 may be a thin plate-like part of an arbitrary member, for example, the support member 50 or the support member 52 described later and the mesh part 1 are integrally formed.

(Bottle part 31)
5 to 8, the bottom surface of bottle portion 31 is formed to be inclined. A liquid L such as a chemical solution (see FIG. 7) is stored inside the bottle portion 31.

The bottle portion 31 is provided with a liquid injection port 33 located on the opposite side of the horn vibrator 40 and a tip opening 32 that gradually becomes narrower as the horn vibrator 40 is approached. A cap 35 is attached so as to close the liquid injection port 33. The cap 35 is supported by the support portion 35T so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow AR35 (see FIG. 2).

When the cap 35 is attached to the bottle portion 31, the liquid injection port 33 of the bottle portion 31 is closed. The state in which the cap 35 closes the liquid injection port 33 is held by a fixing portion 35 K provided on the top of the cap 35.

The front end opening 32 of the bottle portion 31 faces the front end portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40. Although details will be described later, the liquid L stored in the bottle portion 31 is supplied to the surface 42 of the tip portion 41 from the outside of the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40.

The bottle portion 31 has a large-capacity portion B and a small-capacity portion b that communicates with the large-capacity portion B through the tip opening 32 and faces the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40. The small capacity portion b is an annular space S (see FIG. 5) between the inner wall 62 (see FIG. 6) of the opening 60 of the bottle unit 30 that sprays the atomized chemical liquid and the tip 41 of the horn vibrator 40. Reference).

(Horn vibrator 40)
With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, as described above, the horn vibrator 40 is disposed so as to face the tip opening 32 of the bottle portion 31. The horn vibrator 40 is located below the opening 60 provided in the bottle unit 30. On the upper side of the horn vibrator 40, an inner mesh cap 57 to be described later is detachably attached to the opening 60.

(Support member 50 / support member 52)
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 (and FIGS. 3 to 5), support member 50 and support member 52 can be fitted to each other in a state where mesh portion 1 is sandwiched between support member 50 and support member 52. Configured. The mesh portion 1 is sandwiched between the support member 50 and the support member 52 that are fitted to each other on the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40. The support member 50 and the support member 52 fix the mesh portion 1 so that the mesh portion 1 is in close proximity to the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 while sandwiching the mesh portion 1.

(Sealing support packing 51, inner mesh cap 57)
The support member 50 and the support member 52 that are fitted to each other are attached to the inner peripheral portion of the hermetic support packing 51 formed in an annular shape. The support member 50 and the support member 52 that are fitted to each other are attached to the inner mesh cap 57 by the hermetic support packing 51. The outer peripheral portion of the hermetic support packing 51 is fitted into the inner mesh cap 57. The space between the

support members

50 and 52 and the inner mesh cap 57 is sealed by the hermetic support packing 51.

The inner mesh cap 57 is attached around the opening 60 so as to cover the opening 60 provided in the bottle unit 30. The inner mesh cap 57 is pivotally supported by the support portion 38T provided on the bottle portion 31 side so that the support portion 57T of the inner mesh cap 57 is rotatable.

In the state where the inner mesh cap 57 is attached around the opening 60, the air gap formed between the inner mesh cap 57 and the opening 60 is sealed by the sealing support packing 51. By the sealing, the liquid L and the liquid LL stored in the bottle part 31 are kept from leaking from the bottle part 31 to the outside. Thereby, even if it is a case where the liquid spraying apparatus 100 is inclined, the liquid L and the liquid LL inside the bottle part 31 do not leak outside.

As described above, the support portion 57T of the inner mesh cap 57 is pivotally supported by the support portion 38T provided on the bottle portion 31 side. With this configuration, the inner mesh cap 57 is detachable from the opening 60 in a state where the mesh portion 1, the

support members

50 and 52, and the hermetic support packing 51 are integrally attached to the inner mesh cap 57. It is attached.

Since the mesh part 1 is attached to the inner mesh cap 57, the mesh part 1 can be easily washed by removing the inner mesh cap 57 from the opening 60 (rotating the inner mesh cap 57). It is possible.

(Operation of Liquid Spraying Device 100)
In a state where the liquid spraying apparatus 100 with the bottle unit 30 attached to the main body 20 (see FIG. 1) is placed on a desk or the like, the bottle unit 30 is horizontal as shown in FIG. Collected at the bottom of the portion 31.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the bottle unit 30 is sprayed. When the liquid sprayer 100 is held by hand and tilted toward the horn vibrator 40 side, the bottle unit 30 is tilted as shown in FIG. 9, and the liquid L in the large-capacity portion B of the bottle portion 31 flows from the tip opening 32 into the small-capacity portion b. It flows into the space S. The liquid LL in the space S reaches the vicinity of the contact portion between the surface 42 of the tip portion 41 and the mesh portion 1 from the outside of the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40.

In this state, when the power switch 21 (see FIG. 1) of the main body 20 is pressed, the horn vibrator 40 vibrates ultrasonically, and ultrasonic vibration between the mesh portion 1 and the surface 42 of the tip 41 of the horn vibrator 40 occurs. As a result, the liquid LL is ejected through the fine holes of the mesh portion 1, and the mist-like liquid LL is sprayed from the opening 60 (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

Even if the liquid L in the large-capacity portion B of the bottle portion 31 becomes a very small amount (see FIG. 9), the liquid LL in the small-capacity portion b is, as described above, the tip portion 41 and the inner wall 62 (see FIG. 6), the surface tension rises to the vicinity of the atomizing portion, and can be further supplied to the mesh portion 1 by the vibration of the horn vibrator 40.

(Details of mesh part 1)
Hereinafter, the mesh part 1 used for the liquid spraying apparatus 100 (refer FIG. 1) in this Embodiment is demonstrated in detail. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the mesh portion 1 of the present embodiment has a thin plate-like outer shape, and the planar shape is a circular shape. The disc-shaped mesh portion 1 has a central portion 2 near the center of the circle and a peripheral portion 3 near the outer periphery of the circle.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of the configuration of the mesh unit 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the spacer 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the mesh portion 1 showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the region XII in FIG. A plurality of nozzle-like through holes 6 are formed in the mesh portion 1. The mesh part 1 includes an inlet surface 1B which is a surface of the mesh part 1 on the side where the liquid LL passing through the through hole 6 flows into the through hole 6 and a surface of the mesh part 1 on the side where the liquid LL flows out of the through hole 6 And an exit surface 1A.

As shown in FIG. 12, the through hole 6 is formed through the mesh portion 1 in the thickness direction from the inlet surface 1B of the mesh portion 1 to the outlet surface 1A. The through hole 6 is formed over the entire central portion 2 of the mesh portion 1. Typically, several thousands of through holes 6 are formed in one mesh part 1. In the following drawings, for easy understanding, the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 6 is greatly exaggerated with respect to the mesh portion 1 rather than the through-hole 6 formed in the actual mesh portion 1. Please note that.

The through hole 6 of the present embodiment is formed in a funnel shape. The through-hole 6 has a maximum diameter on the entrance surface 1B, and the diameter gradually decreases toward the exit surface 1A. The through-hole 6 becomes a straight tube in the vicinity of the exit surface 1A and opens to the exit surface 1A. The through hole 6 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 12, but can be formed in an arbitrary shape. For example, the shape of the through hole 6 may be a cone or a pyramid, may be a folded cone or a pyramid, may be a combination of a cylinder and a cone, a prism and a pyramid. The combination shape may be sufficient.

A spacer 10 is provided on the inlet surface 1B side of the mesh portion 1. The spacer 10 is formed along the peripheral edge 3 on the entrance surface 1B of the mesh part 1. The spacer 10 has a donut shape. The outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the spacer 10 are formed in a cylindrical shape. By arranging the annular spacer 10 on the inlet surface 1B side of the mesh portion 1, a hollow space 12 is formed between the inlet surface 1B of the mesh portion 1 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. The space 12 is formed on the radial center side of the spacer 10, and is surrounded by the entrance surface 1 B, the surface 42, and the inner peripheral surface of the spacer 10 to define the shape thereof. The spacer 10 is dimensioned so that a space 12 having a sufficiently large volume can be formed between the entrance surface 1 B and the surface 42. Typically, the thickness t 2 of the spacer 10 in the thickness direction of the mesh portion 1 shown in FIG. 12 is twice or more the thickness t 1 of the mesh portion 1.

11 is a perspective view of the spacer 10 in which the spacer 10 shown in FIG. 10 is seen from the lower side. The spacer 10 has a ring shape along the peripheral edge portion 3 of the mesh portion 1.

Grooves

16 and 18 are formed in the spacer 10 on the surface on the side not facing the mesh portion 1. The

grooves

16 and 18 are formed in a straight line extending along the radial direction of the annular spacer 10. Typically, the

grooves

16 and 18 are formed so as to extend on the same straight line passing through the center of the annular spacer 10. The

grooves

16 and 18 communicate the space S on the outer peripheral side of the horn vibrator 40 with the space 12 inside the spacer 10. The liquid LL flows from the space S to the space 12 via the groove 16 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 12 or from the space 12 to the space S via the groove 18. The

grooves

16 and 18 function as a passage 15 through which the liquid LL flows into the space 12.

The spacer 10 is provided only in the peripheral portion 3 of the mesh portion 1 and is not provided in the central portion 2 of the mesh portion 1. The central part 2 of the mesh part 1 has a film-like structure with a small thickness. Therefore, the mesh part 1 can freely vibrate in the thickness direction in the central part 2. For example, the mesh part 1 is formed so that the thickness t1 (see FIG. 12) is 100 μm or less, preferably 25 μm, at least in the central part 2. Since the thickness t2 of the spacer 10 (see FIG. 12) is more than twice the thickness t1 of the mesh portion 1, for example, the spacer 10 is formed so that the thickness t2 is 200 μm or more, preferably 400 μm. .

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of atomizing the liquid LL through the through-hole 6 of the mesh portion 1. In the operation of ejecting the liquid LL in a mist form through the through-hole 6, the horn vibrator 40 has a function as a vibration source and ultrasonically vibrates in the vertical direction in FIG. The horn vibrator 40 has a function as a liquid supply part for supplying the liquid LL to the inside of the through hole 6 formed in the mesh part 1.

When the horn vibrator 40 vibrates, the liquid LL is supplied to the through hole 6. When the horn vibrator 40 moves in a direction approaching the mesh part 1 as indicated by an outline arrow in FIG. 13, it is supplied to the space 12 between the entrance surface 1B of the mesh part 1 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. The liquid LL thus supplied is supplied to the through-hole 6 and further pushed out from the through-hole 6 to generate fine mist-like liquid particles LP. The liquid particles LP ejected from the through hole 6 have a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole 6 that opens to the exit surface 1A. For example, the spray particles ejected from the through hole 6 having an opening diameter of 3 μm on the exit surface 1A have a diameter of 5 μm. Note that the relationship between the diameter of the through hole 6 and the diameter of the spray particles is an example, and the spray particles may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the through hole 6 under different conditions.

The central part 2 of the mesh part 1 vibrates in the vertical direction in FIG. 13 with the vibration of the horn vibrator 40 to atomize the liquid. Since the spacer 10 is not provided in the central portion 2, the vibration of the central portion 2 is not hindered by the spacer 10, and the central portion 2 can easily vibrate in the thickness direction. Therefore, when the horn vibrator 40 vibrates, the central portion 2 of the mesh portion 1 also vibrates, and the liquid LL is ejected from the through-hole 6 along with the vibration of the central portion 2, and the liquid LL is efficiently atomized.

As described above, the liquid L (liquid LL) is supplied from the bottle portion 31 toward the horn vibrator 40 side. The liquid L (liquid LL) passes from the space S outside the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40 via the groove 16 to the surface 42 of the tip portion 41 of the horn vibrator 40 and the inlet surface 1B of the mesh portion 1. Is supplied to the space 12 formed between the two. At this time, the liquid L (liquid LL) reaches the inlet surface 1B of the mesh portion 1 while flowing from the space S on the outer peripheral side of the tip portion 41 into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh portion 1. . Thereby, the liquid L (liquid LL) is stably supplied to the mesh part 1.

When the power switch 21 of the main body 20 (see FIG. 1) is pressed while the liquid L (liquid LL) is being stably supplied to the mesh unit 1, the horn vibrator 40 is ultrasonically vibrated. By the ultrasonic vibration between the mesh part 1 and the surface 42 of the tip part 41 of the horn vibrator 40, the liquid LL of the small volume part b is supplied to the mesh part 1, and the liquid LL is dropped from the through hole 6 of the mesh part 1. And is sprayed from the opening 60. Even during spraying, the liquid L (liquid LL) continues to flow into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1 via the groove 16, so that the liquid L (liquid LL) is reliably supplied to the mesh part 1. Is done. Since the liquid L (liquid LL) is stably supplied to the mesh unit 1 without interruption, according to the liquid spraying apparatus 100 in the present embodiment, the liquid L (liquid LL) can be stably sprayed. Can do.

A ring-shaped spacer 10 having a certain thickness t2 is formed on the peripheral edge 3 of the mesh portion 1, and when the horn vibrator 40 moves in a direction close to the mesh portion 1 when vibrating, the spacer 10 Contact. With this configuration, the distance between the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 and the mesh portion 1 can be stably secured. By providing the spacer 10 with a groove-like passage serving as a liquid introduction passage for supplying liquid from the peripheral side to the center side of the spacer 10, the liquid LL is stably provided in the space 12 between the mesh unit 1 and the horn vibrator 40. Can be supplied. Since the spacer 10 is attached to the mesh portion 1 and the mesh portion 1 itself has a spacer 10 for keeping the distance from the horn vibrator 40 constant, the mesh portion 1 and the horn vibrator 40 are separated. Even after reassembly, the distance between the entrance surface 1B and the surface 42 can be secured stably.

It is considered that there is a correlation between the amount of spray of the mist-like liquid LL by the liquid spraying device 100 and the distance between the inlet surface 1B and the surface 42 along the thickness direction of the mesh portion 1. If the distance between the inlet surface 1B and the surface 42 can be maintained at the optimum distance for atomizing the liquid LL most efficiently, it is desirable that the amount of spray of the mist-like liquid LL can be increased. In the present embodiment, since a certain gap can be formed between the entrance surface 1B and the surface 42 with the spacer 10 interposed, the thickness t2 of the spacer 10 can be adjusted to adjust the distance between the entrance surface 1B and the surface 42. The interval can be optimized. Therefore, it becomes possible to always atomize the liquid LL stably. By optimally setting the relative position of the inlet surface 1B with respect to the surface 42, a larger amount of liquid LL can be efficiently atomized.

In order to reduce the resistance to discharge of the liquid LL passing through the through hole 6 (hereinafter referred to as discharge resistance), a measure to reduce the thickness of the mesh portion 1 is taken. However, the mesh portion 1 having a small thickness tends to have insufficient rigidity. If the rigidity of the mesh portion 1 is insufficient, the mesh portion 1 itself is bent, and the mesh portion 1 itself vibrates at the same frequency as that of the horn vibrator 40 when the horn vibrator 40 vibrates. A sufficient pressure cannot be applied to the liquid LL between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1. As a result, the liquid LL cannot be ejected from the through hole 6 and the spray amount is reduced. In particular, the resin mesh portion 1 that can be reduced in price is required to have a structure for securing the rigidity of the mesh portion 1 because the rigidity is low and sufficient strength cannot be obtained when the thickness is small.

With respect to this problem, in the mesh portion 1 of the present embodiment, the spacer 10 is joined to the inlet surface 1B side of the peripheral portion 3 of the mesh portion 1, so that the thickness of the peripheral portion 3 of the mesh portion 1 and the spacer 10. The total thickness increases. Thereby, the peripheral part 3 of the mesh part 1 is reinforced. The spacer 10 is formed so as to have a thickness t2 necessary for sufficiently improving the strength of the mesh portion 1. By adding the spacer 10 only to the peripheral part 3 of the mesh part 1, the rigidity of the mesh part 1 is improved without increasing the thickness of the mesh part 1 itself. Even when the thickness of the mesh part 1 itself, particularly the thickness in the central part 2 is reduced, the rigidity of the peripheral edge part 3 is improved by the spacer 10, so that sufficient strength as the entire mesh part 1 can be obtained.

Therefore, according to the liquid spraying apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, sufficient rigidity is ensured even when the mesh portion 1 is thinned by reinforcing the peripheral portion 3 of the mesh portion 1 with the spacer 10 to increase the rigidity. Can do. Thereby, it can avoid that the mesh part 1 itself vibrates with the same frequency as the horn vibrator | oscillator 40, and since sufficient pressure can be applied to the liquid LL, it can increase the spray amount of the mist-like liquid LL. it can. When the liquid LL is a drug solution, the drug solution can stably reach an affected area such as a patient with a respiratory disease, and the therapeutic effect can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 12, the inner peripheral edge of the spacer 10 is arranged closer to the center in the radial direction of the mesh portion 1 than the outer peripheral edge of the horn vibrator 40. When the spacer 10 is projected in the thickness direction of the mesh portion 1, the inner peripheral edge of the projection of the spacer 10 partially overlaps with the outer peripheral edge of the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. The mesh part 1 is formed with a through hole 6 only in the central part 2, and no through hole 6 is formed in the peripheral part 3. In the mesh part 1 shown in FIG. 12, the center part 2 shows the range in which the through-hole 6 is formed, and the peripheral part 3 shows the range in which the through-hole 6 is not formed. All the through holes 6 are formed so as to face the hollow space 12 inside the donut-shaped spacer 10.

When the mesh part 1 and the horn vibrator 40 shown in FIG. 12 are viewed from below, the horn vibrator 40 covers the entire through-hole 6 formed in the mesh part 1. By setting the mesh portion 1 and the horn vibrator 40 in this way, the liquid LL is supplied to the entire through-hole 6 as the horn vibrator 40 vibrates in the vertical direction. Therefore, the mist-like liquid LL can be generated from the whole mesh part 1, and the atomization of the liquid LL more efficiently becomes possible.

Moreover, since the peripheral portion 3 of the mesh portion 1 has a solid structure in which the through holes 6 are not formed, the rigidity of the peripheral portion 3 is relatively enhanced. Therefore, by providing the spacer 10 in the peripheral part 3, the rigidity of the peripheral part 3 can be improved more effectively and the required strength as the entire mesh part 1 can be ensured more reliably.

Since the mesh portion 1 of the present embodiment is manufactured by molding using a resin material as a raw material, the arrangement and shape of the through holes 6 can be managed with high accuracy. Since the resin mesh portion 1 can be manufactured as a molded product using a mold manufactured with high accuracy, the arrangement, shape, and diameter of the through holes 6 can be freely adjusted. Therefore, by preparing a mold having an appropriate shape and size, the mesh portion 1 of the present embodiment in which the through hole 6 having the optimal shape and diameter for atomizing the liquid LL is formed at the optimal position. Can be easily manufactured.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of the configuration of the mesh unit 1 according to the second embodiment. The mesh portion 1 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the spacer 10 is a resin molded product formed integrally with the mesh portion 1. As described in the first embodiment, the mesh portion 1 and the spacer 10 may be manufactured by bonding separate members by bonding, for example. Or as shown in FIG. 14, the mesh part 1 and the spacer 10 may be formed integrally, and the spacer 10 which protrudes from the peripheral part 3 of the mesh part 1 may be formed. The spacer 10 may be formed by any manufacturing method as long as the spacer 10 that can reliably secure the space 12 between the entrance surface 1B of the mesh portion 1 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 can be produced.

The spacer 10 may be formed by an optimum manufacturing method in consideration of the shape of the mesh portion 1 and the spacer 10. When the thickness t2 (see FIG. 12) of the spacer 10 is larger than the thickness t1 (see FIG. 12) of the mesh portion 1, for example, when the thickness t2 is ten times or more of the thickness t1, It is difficult to manufacture the mesh portion 1 with high accuracy. In such a case, it is desirable to manufacture the mesh portion 1 and the spacer 10 by the bonding described in the first embodiment from the viewpoint of ease of molding.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the spacer 10 according to the third embodiment. In the first embodiment, the example in which the two

grooves

16 and 18 are formed in the spacer 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the groove 16 may be formed at one location of the spacer 10. In this case, the groove 16 may be formed so as to extend along the gravity direction at a position on the upper side in the gravity direction in a state where the liquid spraying device 100 is inclined toward the horn vibrator 40. This is preferable because the liquid LL easily flows into the space 12 via the groove 16.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during spraying of the liquid spraying apparatus 100 of the third embodiment. Since only the groove 16 serving as a passage for the liquid LL to flow into the space 12 is formed in the spacer 10, the liquid LL supplied into the space 12 can be stored in the space 12. By storing the liquid LL in the space 12, the liquid LL can be supplied more stably to the mesh unit 1 without interruption. As a result, the liquid spraying apparatus 100 can stably spray the liquid LL.

The grooves formed in the spacer 10 may be formed in any number and shape as long as the liquid LL can be smoothly supplied to the space 12. For example, the spacer 10 may have three or more grooves. In addition to the configuration in which a groove is formed in a part of the spacer 10, the spacer 10 itself may have a C-shaped shape in which one portion is cut out, or may be formed in a shape in which a plurality of portions of the spacer 10 are cut out.

The shape of the spacer 10 itself is not limited to the ring shape along the peripheral edge portion 3 of the disk-shaped mesh portion 1, and may have an arbitrary shape. For example, the spacer 10 may have a hollow rectangular frame shape, or the outer peripheral edge in plan view may have an arbitrary shape such as a polygonal shape or an oval shape. Further, a plurality of protrusion shapes protruding from the peripheral edge portion 3 of the mesh portion 1 toward the horn vibrator 40 may be provided, and the spacer 10 may be configured by the plurality of protrusion shapes. The shape of the spacer 10 can be determined so that the frequency of the vibration of the mesh portion 1 that vibrates with the vibration of the horn vibrator 40 can be optimally adjusted. If the frequency of the vibration of the mesh unit 1 is optimized, the liquid LL can be atomized more efficiently, so that a larger amount of mist-like liquid particles LP can be generated, and the liquid spray device 100 can be generated. Can enhance the ability.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the spacer 10 according to the fourth embodiment and the horn vibrator 40 as a vibration source. As shown in FIG. 17, the spacer 10 has a facing surface 14 that faces the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. In the liquid spray apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment, a gap 19 is formed between a part of the facing surface 14 of the spacer 10 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. More specifically, the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 is inclined relative to the entrance surface 1B of the mesh portion 1, and this inclination causes the facing surface 14 of the spacer 10 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. A gap 19 is formed between the two.

The liquid LL flows between the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 and the inlet surface 1B of the mesh portion 1 from the space S on the outer peripheral side of the horn vibrator 40 via the gap 19 as shown by the arrow in FIG. It flows to the space 12 formed between them and is supplied to the space 12. The gap 19 functions as a passage 15 through which the liquid LL flows into the space 12. The liquid LL also reaches the inlet surface 1B of the mesh part 1 from the space S while flowing into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1. Thereby, the liquid LL is stably supplied to the mesh unit 1.

Since the liquid LL continues to flow into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1 via the gap 19, the liquid LL is reliably supplied to the mesh part 1. Even during spraying, the liquid LL is stably supplied to the mesh portion 1 without interruption, so that the liquid LL can be sprayed stably.

According to the liquid spraying apparatus 100 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a part of the facing surface 14 of the spacer 10 is in contact with the surface of the horn vibrator 40, so Can be secured. In addition, by inclining the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 with respect to the mesh portion 1, a gap 19 is formed between the facing surface 14 of the spacer 10 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40, and is continuously formed in the space 12. Therefore, the liquid LL can be stably sprayed.

In order to continuously supply the liquid LL to the space 12, the gap 19 may be formed between at least a part of the facing surface 14 of the spacer 10 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40. The configuration for doing this is not limited to the inclination shown in FIG. For example, a protrusion is formed in which a part of the facing surface 14 of the spacer 10 protrudes toward the horn vibrator 40, and a gap is formed between the spacer 10 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 at a position other than the protrusion. May be. When the opposing surface 14 of the spacer 10 is formed as a non-planar surface in this way, the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 is not inclined with respect to the mesh portion 1, and the entrance surface 1B and the surface 42 of the mesh portion 1 are parallel. However, a gap between the facing surface 14 and the surface 42 can be secured.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the spacer 10 according to the fifth embodiment and the horn vibrator 40 that is a vibration source. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40 along the line XIX-XIX shown in FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40 along the line XX-XX shown in FIG. 18 to 20, the mesh unit 1 is not shown.

In the liquid spraying apparatus 100 of the fifth embodiment, the horn vibrator 40 and the spacer 10 are arranged so that a part of the space 12 does not overlap the surface 42 in the thickness direction of the mesh part 1. When the spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40 are viewed in the thickness direction of the mesh portion 1 shown in FIG. 18, the inner peripheral surface 13 of the space 12 formed inside the spacer 10 has an oval shape, and horn vibration. The surface 42 of the child 40 has a circular shape. The major axis of the ellipse formed by the inner peripheral surface 13 is larger than the diameter of the circle formed by the surface 42. That is, the maximum diameter of the inner peripheral surface 13 of the space 12 is larger than the maximum diameter of the surface 42.

The spacer 10 has a portion that overlaps the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 and rides on the surface 42, and a portion that does not overlap the surface 42 and does not ride on the surface 42. Is supplied with liquid LL. The liquid LL flows from the space S on the outer peripheral side of the horn vibrator 40 to the space 12 via the passage 15 and is supplied to the space 12 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The liquid LL also reaches the inlet surface 1B of the mesh part 1 from the space S while flowing into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1. Thereby, the liquid LL is stably supplied to the mesh unit 1.

Since the liquid LL continues to flow into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1 via the passage 15, the liquid LL is reliably supplied to the mesh part 1. Even during spraying, the liquid LL is stably supplied to the mesh portion 1 without interruption, so that the liquid LL can be sprayed stably.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the spacer 10 according to the sixth embodiment and the horn vibrator 40 as a vibration source. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40 along the line XXII-XXII shown in FIG. 21 and 22, the mesh unit 1 is not shown.

Similarly to the fifth embodiment, in the liquid spraying apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment, the horn vibrator 40 and the spacer 10 are arranged so that a part of the space 12 does not overlap the surface 42 in the thickness direction of the mesh portion 1. Has been. When the spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40 are viewed in the thickness direction of the mesh portion 1 shown in FIG. 21, the inner peripheral surface 13 of the space 12 formed inside the spacer 10 and the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40 are , Both have a circular shape. The spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40 are arranged such that the center of the circle formed by the inner peripheral surface 13 and the center of the circle formed by the surface 42 are shifted. That is, the center of the annular spacer 10 is shifted from the center of the surface 42 of the horn vibrator 40.

The passage 15 is formed by the deviation of the center between the spacer 10 and the horn vibrator 40, and the liquid LL is supplied to the space 12 through the passage 15. The liquid LL flows from the space S on the outer peripheral side of the horn vibrator 40 to the space 12 via the passage 15 and is supplied to the space 12 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Since the liquid LL continues to flow into the space 12 between the surface 42 and the mesh part 1 via the passage 15, the liquid LL is reliably supplied to the mesh part 1. Even during spraying, the liquid LL is stably supplied to the mesh portion 1 without interruption, so that the liquid LL can be sprayed stably.

In the above description, an example in which liquid spray particles are generated by ultrasonic vibration of the horn vibrator 40 has been described, but a SAW vibrator may be used instead of the horn vibrator. Alternatively, an arbitrary vibrator may be brought into contact with the entrance surface or the exit surface of the mesh portion to generate the spray particles of the liquid.

As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

The liquid spray device of the present invention is particularly advantageously applied to a liquid spray device that allows a patient to inhale a therapeutic drug for a nebulized respiratory disease and simultaneously reach the different sites in the patient's body. obtain.

1 mesh part, 1A outlet face, 1B inlet face, 2 central part, 3 peripheral edge, 6 through hole, 10 spacer, 12 space, 13 inner peripheral face, 14 facing face, 15 passage, 16, 18 groove, 19 gap, 30 bottle units, 40 horn vibrators, 41 tips, 42 surfaces, 100 liquid sprayer, LL liquid, LP liquid particles, S space.

Claims

A liquid spraying device comprising a thin plate-like mesh portion formed with a through-hole, passing through the through-hole and atomizing and ejecting liquid,
The mesh portion has an inlet surface on the side where the liquid flows into the through-hole, and an outlet surface on the side where the liquid flows out of the through-hole,
A vibration source including a surface facing the entrance surface;
A spacer provided on the entrance surface side of the peripheral portion of the mesh portion, and forming a space between the entrance surface and the surface;
The spacer forms a passage through which the liquid flows into the space;
The liquid spraying apparatus in which the liquid supplied to the space is ejected in a mist form through the through-hole when the vibration source vibrates.
The spacer is formed in an annular shape along the peripheral edge,
The liquid spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the passage extends in a groove shape along a radial direction of the spacer.
The spacer has a facing surface facing the surface,
The liquid spraying device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between at least a part of the facing surface and the surface.
The liquid spraying device according to claim 3, wherein the surface is inclined relative to the inlet surface.
The liquid spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration source and the spacer are arranged so that a part of the space does not overlap the surface in the thickness direction of the mesh portion.
The liquid spraying device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the space is larger than a maximum diameter of the surface.
The liquid spraying device according to claim 5, wherein the center of the spacer is deviated from the center of the surface.
The liquid spray device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the passage communicates the outer circumferential side space of the vibration source and the space.
The liquid spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mesh portion is made of resin.