WO2019065711A1

WO2019065711A1 - Atomizing oscillatory element, atomizing unit, atomizing device, and drive method for atomizing device

Info

Publication number: WO2019065711A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/035628
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和之池浜
Original assignee: 株式会社フコク
Priority date: 2017-09-29
Filing date: 2018-09-26
Publication date: 2019-04-04
Also published as: JP7232767B2; CN111163869A; JPWO2019065711A1; KR20200062200A

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide an atomizing oscillatory element that can achieve suitable atomization in accordance with the level of liquid in a liquid storage tank, an atomizing unit, an atomizing device, and a drive method for atomizing device. To achieve this purpose, this atomizing oscillatory element 10 comprises a plate-like piezoelectric oscillator 11 and electrodes provided on each of one face 11b and other face 11a of the piezoelectric oscillator 11, wherein the electrodes provided on the one face 11b comprise a central electrode 21 arranged in the center portion of the piezoelectric oscillator 11 and an annular outer circumferential electrode 22 disposed so as to surround the circumference of the central electrode 21 in electrical isolation from the central electrode 21.

Description

Atomizing vibrator, atomizing unit, atomizing device, and method of driving atomizing device

The present invention relates to an atomizing vibrator for atomizing by applying ultrasonic vibration to a liquid for atomizing, an atomizing unit provided with the atomizing vibrator, an atomizing apparatus provided with the atomizing unit, and an atomization apparatus The present invention relates to a method of driving an apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an atomizing vibrator suitable for installation in a liquid storage tank in which the water level (liquid level) of the liquid for atomization decreases with atomization.

Conventionally, as a method of atomizing a liquid, an ultrasonic vibration method is employed. In an atomizing apparatus adopting an ultrasonic vibration system, an ultrasonic transducer is installed at the bottom of a liquid storage tank for storing a liquid for atomization. When a high frequency voltage is applied to the ultrasonic transducer, the atomizing liquid in the liquid storage tank is atomized by high frequency vibration. The micronized liquid is delivered as a mist to the outside by a blower fan or the like. Such an atomization device is put to practical use as, for example, a humidifier.

In the atomization apparatus adopting the above-described ultrasonic vibration system, the amount of atomization changes depending on the distance from the ultrasonic transducer to the liquid surface of the liquid storage tank, that is, the liquid level of the liquid surface for atomization. In this case, in order to maintain the liquid level (liquid level) of the liquid storage tank near the peak of the atomization amount, a replenishment tank for supplying the liquid for atomization, which is consumed as a mist, to the liquid storage tank Is required. For example, there is a mist generating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 as the atomizing device.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-208151

However, the atomizing device described in Patent Document 1 requires a replenishment tank in addition to the liquid storage tank, which complicates the entire configuration of the atomizing device and restricts the degree of freedom in shape (design) design. was there. On the other hand, if the replenishment tank is abolished, the liquid level of the storage tank can not be maintained at the height at which the amount of atomization peaks due to the consumption of the liquid for atomization, and the amount of atomization largely changes depending on the liquid level of the storage tank. There was such a problem.

Therefore, the present invention solves such conventional problems, and a suitable atomization can be realized according to the liquid level of the liquid storage tank, and a vibrator for atomization that can eliminate the replenishment tank, It is an object of the present invention to provide an atomization unit provided with a vibrator for atomization, an atomization device provided with the atomization unit, and a driving method of the atomization device.

An atomizing vibrator according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plate-like piezoelectric vibrator and an electrode provided on each of one side and the other side of the piezoelectric vibrator. And an electrode provided on the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator surrounds a center electrode disposed at a central portion of the piezoelectric vibrator and an outer periphery of the center electrode, and is electrically connected to the center electrode. And an annular outer peripheral electrode arranged separately.

An atomizing vibrator according to a second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated into at least two or more annular electrodes via an annular gap portion.

An atomizing vibrator according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a disc-shaped piezoelectric vibrator, and an atomizing electrode provided with circular electrodes provided on one side and the other side of the piezoelectric vibrator, respectively. A vibrator, wherein an electrode provided on the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator is electrically connected to a center electrode disposed at a central portion of the piezoelectric vibrator, concentric with the center electrode, and electrically And an annular outer peripheral electrode arranged separately.

In the atomizing vibrator according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated into at least two or more annular electrodes via an annular gap provided concentrically. It is characterized by

An atomizing vibrator according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an atomizing vibrator including a plate-like piezoelectric vibrator, and electrodes provided on each of one surface and the other surface of the piezoelectric vibrator. And an electrode provided on the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator is a center electrode disposed eccentrically with respect to the center of the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator, and an outer periphery of the center electrode. And an annular outer peripheral electrode disposed so as to be electrically separated from the center electrode.

An atomizing vibrator according to a sixth invention is characterized in that the piezoelectric vibrator in the fifth invention has a disk shape.

In the atomizing vibrator according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated into at least two or more electrodes sequentially surrounding the outer periphery of the center electrode in layers through a gap portion. It is characterized by

An atomization unit according to an eighth invention comprises the atomizing vibrator according to any of the first, third, fifth, or sixth inventions, and a drive unit for driving the atomizing vibrator. The drive unit turns on / off the switch unit based on a switch unit that turns on / off the energization of the outer peripheral electrode and an output signal from a liquid level detection unit that detects the liquid level of the liquid storage tank. And a control unit for switching.

An atomization unit according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes the atomizing vibrator according to any of the second, fourth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, and a drive unit for driving the atomizing oscillator, A section is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of outer peripheral electrodes, and a switch section that turns on / off energization to the corresponding outer peripheral electrodes, and an output from liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid storage tank And a control unit configured to switch ON / OFF of the switch unit based on a signal.

An atomization apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the atomization unit according to the eighth aspect, a liquid storage tank for storing liquid for atomization, and liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid storage tank. In the provided atomization device, the vibrator for atomization is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank, and the control unit controls the liquid level of the liquid storage tank based on an output signal from the liquid level detection means. Is switched to a predetermined value, the switch unit is switched from ON to OFF.

An atomization apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises: the atomization unit according to the ninth aspect, a liquid storage tank for storing liquid for atomization, and liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid storage tank. In the provided atomization device, the vibrator for atomization is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank, and the control unit controls the liquid level of the liquid storage tank based on an output signal from the liquid level detection means. As the H. decreases, the outer peripheral electrode whose switch portion is switched from ON to OFF is gradually increased toward the central portion.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving method of an atomization device, wherein the atomizing vibrator according to any of the first, third, fifth or sixth aspects of the invention is a liquid storage tank in which liquid for atomization is stored. The driving method of the atomization device installed at the bottom portion is characterized in that energization of the outer peripheral electrode is stopped when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank falls to a predetermined value.

In the driving method of the atomization device according to the thirteenth invention, the vibrator for atomization according to any of the second, fourth or seventh invention is installed at the bottom of a liquid storage tank for storing the liquid for atomization. In the driving method of the atomizing device, the outer electrode to be deenergized is gradually increased toward the central portion as the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is lowered.

According to the vibrator for atomization of the present invention, when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is at the high level, current is supplied to both the center electrode and the outer peripheral electrode to perform atomization according to the high level, When the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is lowered due to the consumption of the atomization liquid, the energization to the outer peripheral electrode is stopped, and only the central electrode is energized, whereby atomization according to the low liquid level can be performed. For this reason, even if the liquid level in the liquid storage tank is lowered, suitable atomization can be realized, and stable atomization can be realized without requiring a replenishment tank.

It is a schematic block diagram of the atomization apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization of FIG. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows one surface side of the vibrator | oscillator for atomization which concerns on other embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view showing a change in the amount of atomization with respect to the liquid level when only the center electrode is energized and when both the center electrode and the outer peripheral electrode are energized in the atomizing vibrator according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the change of the amount of atomization with respect to a liquid level when switching to a high liquid mode and a low liquid mode. It is a figure which shows the change of the amount of atomization with respect to the liquid level in three atomization modes, high liquid mode, medium liquid mode, and low liquid mode.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vibrator for atomization, an atomization unit, an atomization device, and a driving method of the atomization device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the vibrator for atomization of this invention and the atomization apparatus provided with the atomization unit are mentioned as an example, and are demonstrated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view of an atomizing apparatus 1 including an atomizing vibrator 10 according to the present embodiment. The atomization device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid storage tank 2 for storing the liquid for atomization, and an atomization unit 3 for atomizing the liquid W for atomization stored in the liquid storage tank 2. ing.

The liquid storage tank 2 is a tank for storing the liquid W for atomization, and a through hole 4 to which the vibrator 10 for atomization of the atomization unit 3 is attached is formed in the bottom portion (bottom surface) 2A. The liquid storage tank 2 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or a metal material. In the present embodiment, the liquid storage tank 2 is accommodated in the atomizing device main body (not shown), held via a predetermined supporting means, and is detachably attached to the atomizing device main body. It is preferable that the liquid storage tank 2 can store an atomizable volume continuously without replenishing the atomizing liquid W for a predetermined time.

In the present embodiment, tap water is used as the atomization liquid W. However, the atomization liquid W is not limited to water such as tap water, and is targeted for atomization of a chemical solution, aromatic liquid, etc. Any liquid may be used as long as

Further, a liquid level sensor (liquid level detection means) 5 for detecting the liquid level of the stored liquid W for atomization is provided in the liquid storage tank 2. In the present embodiment, as long as the liquid level sensor 5 can detect the liquid level of the atomizing liquid W in the liquid storage tank 2, any type of sensor may be adopted. The liquid level sensor 5 may be, for example, a capacitance type, a weight type, an optical type, a laser type, a radio wave type, an ultrasonic type, or a float type. In the present invention, the method of the liquid level sensor is not limited to this.

The atomization unit 3 includes an atomizing vibrator 10 and a drive unit 60 for driving the atomizing vibrator 10. First, the atomizing vibrator 10 will be described with reference to the schematic cross-sectional view of the atomizing vibrator 10 of FIG.

The atomizing vibrator 10 includes a plate-like piezoelectric vibrator 11 and a pair of

layered electrodes

12 and 20 formed so as to sandwich the piezoelectric vibrator 11. In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric vibrator 11 has a disk shape, and the surface side (also referred to as “the other surface”) 11 a of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 to be the atomizing liquid W side has a circular shape. An electrode 12 slightly smaller in diameter than the piezoelectric vibrator 11 is formed by plating or the like concentrically with the piezoelectric vibrator 11. In addition, an electrode 20 having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 is concentric with the piezoelectric vibrator 11 in a circular shape on the surface (referred to as “one surface”) 11 b on the opposite side to the atomizing liquid W Is formed by plating or the like. Here, although the disk-shaped piezoelectric vibrator is described as an example, the piezoelectric vibrator according to the present invention is not limited to the disk shape, and there is no particular problem as long as it is plate-shaped. The details of the electrode 20 will be described later.

The piezoelectric vibrator 11 is configured by polarizing a piezoelectric material such as piezoelectric ceramic having a predetermined thickness in the thickness direction. The piezoelectric vibrator 11 contracts and expands depending on the direction of a high frequency voltage (also referred to as a “high frequency drive signal”) applied via the

electrodes

12 and 20, thereby converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. it can. Examples of the piezoelectric ceramic include perovskite-type oxides such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and lead zirconate titanate niobate (PZTN), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the present embodiment, the atomizing vibrator 10 is placed on the bottom of the liquid storage tank with the electrode 12 on the upper side so that the electrode 12 disposed on the other surface 11 a is on the atomizing liquid W side of the liquid storage tank 2. The elastic packing 14 is fitted in the through hole 4 formed in 2A. The elastic packing 14 is formed, for example, by annularly forming an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The elastic packing 14 may be provided on its inner circumferential surface with an annular holding groove for holding the piezoelectric vibrator 11 provided with the

electrodes

12 and 20. By adopting this configuration, the piezoelectric vibrator 11 provided with the

electrodes

12 and 20 is fitted into the through hole 4 formed in the bottom 2A of the liquid storage tank 2 with the peripheral edge held by the elastic packing 14 It is done.

The electrode 12 disposed on the other surface 11 a of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 can be supplied with power from the one surface 11 b side of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 in a state where the elastic packing 14 is attached. It has a connecting portion 12A of a tongue drawn out to one side 11b of the 11 side. Further, as described above, the electrode 12 is formed to have a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the piezoelectric vibrator 11, and in order to prevent the electrode 12 from coming into direct contact with the atomization liquid W, A protective layer 15 which covers the electrode 12 is formed on the other surface 11 a of the vibrator 11. The said protective layer 15 may be comprised, for example with metal foils, such as stainless steel and titanium, and may be comprised with the metal protective film by plating, and the coating film by resin. FIG. 3 shows the other surface 11 a side of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 in a state before the protective layer 15 is formed.

Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the atomizing vibrator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In FIGS. 4 to 7, oblique lines in the drawings are attached to show the surface of the electrode and do not indicate the cross section of the electrode. In the first to fourth embodiments, the atomizing vibrator 10 described above will be described as the atomizing vibrators 10A to 10D. In the first to fourth embodiments, the electrodes 20 described above will be described as the electrodes 20A to 20D, respectively. FIG. 4 is a view showing one surface 11b side of the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment.

In the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment, the electrode 20A provided on the side 11b of the disk-shaped piezoelectric vibrator 11 has a circular center electrode 21 and the outer periphery of the center electrode 21. An annular outer peripheral electrode 22 concentrically disposed with the center electrode 21 is provided so as to surround it.

The circular center electrode 21 has a diameter smaller than that of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 and is concentrically provided at the center of the piezoelectric vibrator 11. Further, the annular outer peripheral electrode 22 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the central electrode 21 and an outer diameter substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the electrode 12, and is arranged concentrically with the central electrode 21. . The center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 are electrically separated via an annular gap portion 23.

Power supply wirings 24 and 25 are connected to the outer peripheral edge of the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22, respectively, and a power supply wiring 26 is connected to the connection 12A on the electrode 12 side. In the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment, when the open / close switch 27 is switched from ON (closed) to OFF (open) and the energization of the outer peripheral electrode 22 is stopped, the drive region of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 is in the radial direction It is configured to be reduced to That is, when the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment is energized to the electrode 12, the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22, the piezoelectric vibrator 11 of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 covered with the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 The substantially entire surface 11 is the drive area. On the other hand, when the energization of the electrode 12 and the center electrode 21 is maintained and the energization of the outer peripheral electrode 22 is stopped, the central region of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 covered by the center electrode 21 Become.

As described above, according to the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment, by controlling the energization of the outer peripheral electrode 22 with the open / close switch 27, the driving area can be made radial with one atomizing vibrator. It can be switched in two stages (large diameter, small diameter).

FIG. 5 is a view showing one surface 11b side of the atomizing vibrator 10B of the second embodiment. The atomizing vibrator 10B of the second embodiment takes into consideration the connection of the power supply wiring connected to the electrode 20B provided on one surface 11b. Specifically, in the atomizing vibrator 10B of the second embodiment, a center electrode 31 having a circular electrode body and an electrode 20B provided on one surface 11b of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 and the center electrode And an annular peripheral electrode 32 disposed concentrically with the electrode 31.

In the center electrode 31, a connection piece 31 </ b> A for connecting the power supply wiring 33 extends from the electrode body in the radial direction to the outer edge of the piezoelectric vibrator 11. In order to electrically insulate the outer peripheral electrode 32 from the connection piece 31A, a part of the annular portion is notched in the radial direction. As in the outer peripheral electrode 32, even if a part of the annular portion is notched in the radial direction, it is included in the outer peripheral electrode of the present invention as long as it has an annular shape as a whole.

In the vicinity of the connection piece 31A of the center electrode 31 and the notch 32A of the outer peripheral electrode 32,

power supply wirings

33, 34 are connected respectively. As described above, according to the atomizing vibrator 10B of the second embodiment, there is an advantage that the

power supply wirings

33, 34 to the electrode 20B provided on the one surface 11b can be put together in one place. In addition, in the vibrator 10B for atomization of 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as the vibrator | oscillator 10A for atomization of 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 6 is a view showing one surface 11 b side of the atomizing vibrator 10 </ b> C of the third embodiment. In the atomizing vibrator 10C of the third embodiment, the outer diameter of the center electrode 41 constituting the electrode 20C provided on one surface 11b is slightly smaller than that of the center electrode 21 of the first embodiment. In addition, a first outer peripheral electrode 42 and a second outer peripheral electrode in which an annular outer peripheral electrode disposed concentrically with the center electrode 41 is electrically separated into two in the radial direction via an annular gap portion 44. And 43.

Power supply wirings 45, 46, and 47 are connected to the center electrode 41, the first outer peripheral electrode 42, and the second outer peripheral electrode 43, respectively.

According to the atomizing vibrator 10C of the third embodiment, the energization to the first outer peripheral electrode 42 and the second outer peripheral electrode 43 is controlled by the open /

close switches

48 and 49, so that one atomizing vibrator can be used. The drive range can be switched in three stages (large diameter, medium diameter, small diameter) in the radial direction. In the atomizing vibrator 10C of the third embodiment, the same components as those of the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a view showing one surface 11b side of the atomizing vibrator 10D according to the fourth embodiment. The atomizing vibrator 10D of the fourth embodiment considers the connection of the power supply wiring connected to the electrode 20D provided on the one surface 11b. Specifically, in the atomizing vibrator 10D of the fourth embodiment, the electrode 20D provided on one surface 11b of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 has a center electrode 51 having a circular electrode main body, and this center electrode A first outer peripheral electrode 52 and a second outer peripheral electrode 53 are provided concentrically with the electrode 51.

In the center electrode 51, a connection piece 51A for connecting the power supply wiring 54 extends from the electrode body to the outer edge of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 in the radial direction. The first outer peripheral electrode 52 is provided with a notch 52B in which a part of the annular portion is cut in the radial direction in order to electrically insulate the connection piece 51A. Further, in order to electrically insulate the second outer peripheral electrode 53 from the connection piece 52A described later, a part of the annular portion is cut away in the radial direction with a width larger than that of the notch 52B of the first outer peripheral electrode 52 It has a notch 53A. As in the case of the first outer peripheral electrode 52 and the second outer peripheral electrode 53, even if a part of the annular portion is notched in the radial direction, if it has an annular shape as a whole, the annular outer periphery of the present invention Included in the electrode.

At the end of the notch 52B of the first outer peripheral electrode 52, a connection piece 52A for connecting the power supply wiring 55 extends in the radial direction to the outer edge of the piezoelectric vibrator 11. In the vicinity of the connection piece 51A of the center electrode 51, the connection piece 52A of the first outer peripheral electrode 52, and the notch 53A of the second outer peripheral electrode 53, feed wirings 54, 55, 56 are connected respectively.

As described above, according to the atomizing vibrator 10D of the fourth embodiment, there is an advantage that the

power supply wirings

54, 55, 56 to the electrode 20D provided on one surface 11b can be put together in one place. is there. In the atomizing vibrator 10D of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the atomizing vibrator 10C of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Although the center of the center electrode is provided at the center of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 in each embodiment described above, the center of the center electrode does not have to be the same as the center of the piezoelectric vibrator 11. Instead, it is only necessary to surround the periphery of the central electrode in a state where the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated from the central electrode. That is, the center of the center electrode is disposed eccentrically with respect to the in-plane center of the piezoelectric vibrator, and the outer peripheral electrode is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the center electrode. It may be decentered with respect to the in-plane center of the lens.

An example in which the center electrode and the outer peripheral electrode are disposed eccentrically is shown in FIGS. The center electrode and the outer peripheral electrode shown in each drawing are the same as the center electrode 31 and the outer peripheral electrode 32 of the atomizing vibrator 10B of the second embodiment shown in FIG. It is eccentric with respect to the center P1. Specifically, in FIG. 8, when the diameter of the outer peripheral electrode 32 is 100%, the center P2 of the center electrode 31 is 3% from the in-plane center P1 of the piezoelectric vibrator 11 in the direction in which the connection piece 31A is formed. Indicates an eccentric one. FIG. 9 similarly decenters the center P2 of the center electrode 31 by 3% opposite to the direction in which the connection piece 31A is formed, and FIG. 10 shows the direction in which the center P2 of the center electrode 31 is formed the connection piece 31A FIG. 11 shows that the center P2 of the center electrode 31 is maximally eccentric in the direction opposite to the direction in which the connection piece 31A is formed.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, one or two peripheral electrodes are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the outer peripheral electrode is composed of a first outer peripheral electrode to an nth outer peripheral electrode (an integer of n ≧ 2) arranged in order from the center electrode side, and the first outer peripheral electrode to the n th outer peripheral electrode are in the same plane It may be spaced apart so as to surround the outer peripheral electrode located adjacent to the inner side. Thereby, each electrode which comprises an outer periphery electrode is surrounded in layered form in order of the outer periphery of a center electrode.

In any case, the outer diameter of the nth outer peripheral electrode (

peripheral electrodes

22, 32, 43, 53) located on the outermost side is the outer diameter of the electrode 12 provided on the other surface 11a of the piezoelectric vibrator 11. Preferably it is equal to or less than the diameter.

Further, in each embodiment, the distance between the center electrode and the outer peripheral electrode and the distance between the outer peripheral electrodes are not particularly limited as long as they can electrically insulate. It is preferable that the distance be as narrow as possible.

Next, the atomization unit 3 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The atomization unit 3 includes an atomizing vibrator 10 and a drive unit 60 that drives the atomizing vibrator 10. The driving unit 60 outputs a high frequency driving signal to the

electrodes

12 and 20 of the atomizing vibrator 10, and a switch unit 8 having a control unit 6, a high frequency oscillating unit 7, and an open / close switch 27 (48, 49). And have.

The control unit 6 is connected to the liquid level sensor 5, and based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5, “close (ON)” and “open (OFF)” of the open / close switch 27 (48, 49) of the switch unit 8. Is output to the switch unit 8.

The high frequency oscillation unit 7 is connected to an external power supply (not shown) (for example, a commercial power supply of 50 Hz), generates a high frequency drive signal from the external power supply, and outputs it to the

electrodes

12 and 20 of the atomizing vibrator 10.

In the switch unit 8, the open / close switch 27 (48, 49) is switched to either “close (ON)” or “open (OFF)” based on a command signal from the control unit 6. In the case of the atomization unit 3 using the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment and the atomizing vibrator 10B of the second embodiment, when the open / close switch 27 is "open (OFF)", the high frequency The high frequency drive signal output from the oscillation unit 7 is supplied only to the center electrode 21 or the center electrode 31. In the case of the atomization unit 3 using the atomizing vibrator 10C of the third embodiment and the atomizing vibrator 10D of the fourth embodiment, when the open /

close switches

48 and 49 are "open (OFF)" The high frequency drive signal output from the high frequency oscillator 7 is supplied only to the

center electrode

41 or 51. When only the open / close switch 49 is “open (OFF)”, the high frequency drive signal output from the high frequency oscillation unit 7 is supplied only to the

center electrode

41 or 51 and the first outer peripheral electrode 42 or 52. In addition, in FIG. 1, the wiring for electric power feeding from the high frequency oscillation part 7 to the electrode 12 of the vibrator 10 for atomization was not shown.

The atomization amount of the atomization liquid W by the atomization vibrator 10 depends on the distance from the other surface 11 a of the piezoelectric oscillator 11 to the liquid level of the atomization liquid W, that is, the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 fluctuate. FIG. 12 shows changes in the amount of atomization with respect to liquid level when only the center electrode 21 is energized and when both the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 are energized in the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment. . In FIG. 12, the broken line shows the case where only the center electrode 21 is energized, and the solid line shows the case where both the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 are energized.

It can be seen from FIG. 12 that in the atomizing vibrator 10, the liquid level showing the peak of the atomization amount differs depending on the diameter of the energized electrode. When the atomizing vibrator 10 energizes both the central electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 (the diameter of the energized electrode is large), the atomization amount peaks at a relatively high liquid level, and only the central electrode 21 is energized. The amount of atomization peaks at a relatively low liquid level (when the diameter of the energized electrode is small). Further, the atomization amount when both the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 are energized and the atomization amount when only the center electrode 21 is energized reversely at the liquid level L (for example, 50 mm).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the liquid level L (for example, 50 mm) of the liquid storage tank 2 is used as a threshold value, and the control unit 6 moves to the electrode 20A of the atomizing vibrator 10 based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5 Switch the power on in stages. Specifically, when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 becomes the threshold L due to the atomization based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5, the control unit 6 stops the energization of the outer peripheral electrode 22. .

Next, an embodiment of the atomization apparatus 1 using the atomizing vibrator 10A of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the atomization mode in the case where the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 detected by the liquid level sensor 5 exceeds the threshold L is referred to as “high liquid level mode”. The atomization mode when the position becomes equal to or less than the threshold L is referred to as "low liquid level mode". The switching of the atomization mode is performed by the control unit 6 based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5.

In the “high liquid level mode”, the control unit 6 sets the open / close switch 27 of the switch unit 8 in the “closed (ON)” state based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5. The high frequency oscillation unit 7 outputs a high frequency drive signal to both the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 through the switch unit 8. Thereby, the vibrator 10A for atomization can perform suitable atomization according to a high liquid level.

When the atomization liquid W is consumed along with atomization, and the liquid level of the atomization liquid W in the liquid storage tank 2 decreases to the threshold L, atomization is performed based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5 The mode is switched from "high liquid mode" to "low liquid mode".

In the “low liquid level mode”, the control unit 6 sets the open / close switch 27 of the switch unit 8 to the “open (OFF)” state based on the output from the liquid level sensor 5. The high frequency oscillation unit 7 outputs the high frequency drive signal only to the center electrode 21 through the switch unit 8. Thereby, the vibrator 10A for atomization can perform suitable atomization according to the low liquid level. In the “low liquid mode”, when the liquid W in the liquid storage tank 2 exceeds the threshold L by replenishing the atomization liquid W, the mode is switched to the “high liquid mode”, and the high frequency oscillation unit 7 The high frequency drive signal is output to both the center electrode 21 and the outer peripheral electrode 22 through the switch unit 8.

As described above, according to the atomization device 1 of the present embodiment, when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 becomes equal to or less than the threshold L, the energization to the outer peripheral electrode 22 is stopped and only the center electrode 21 is As a result, the suitable atomization can be realized according to the liquid level. For this reason, even if the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 is greatly reduced due to atomization, the reduction in the amount of atomization can be suppressed within a certain range, and stable atomization is realized without requiring a replenishment tank. it can.

In the embodiment described above, two atomization modes of “high liquid mode” and “low liquid mode” are set, and the diameter of the electrode to be energized by one atomizing vibrator is set in two stages according to the liquid level. Switch to achieve atomization according to the liquid level. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the change in the amount of atomization relative to the liquid level in the three atomization modes of “high liquid mode”, “medium liquid mode” and “low liquid mode”. As in the third (fourth) embodiment, the case of using the atomizing vibrator 10C (10D) provided with two outer peripheral electrodes of the first outer peripheral electrode 42 (52) and the second outer peripheral electrode 43 (53) Can set three atomization modes, "high liquid mode", "medium liquid mode" and "low liquid mode".

In the "high liquid level mode", the center electrode 41 (51), the first outer peripheral electrode 42 (52), and the second outer peripheral electrode 43 (53) are energized. In the "medium liquid mode", the current supply to the second outer peripheral electrode 43 (53) is stopped, and the current is supplied to the center electrode 41 (51) and the first outer peripheral electrode 42 (52). In the "low liquid level mode", the energization of the first outer peripheral electrode 42 (52) and the second outer peripheral electrode 43 (53) is stopped, and only the center electrode 41 (51) is energized.

Then, when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 reaches the first threshold value L1, the "high liquid level mode" is switched to the "medium liquid level mode", and the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 2 becomes the first threshold When the second threshold L2 lower than the value is reached, the "medium liquid mode" is switched to the "low liquid mode". In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the switch unit 8 is constituted by two switches of an open /

close switch

48 and 49.

According to this embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 14, suitable atomization can be realized according to each liquid level.

The vibrator for atomization, the atomization unit, the atomization apparatus, and the driving method of the atomization apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the atomization apparatus without the auxiliary tank, but used for the atomization apparatus provided with the auxiliary tank It is also good. According to the present invention, in the atomization apparatus provided with the auxiliary tank, suitable atomization can be realized according to the liquid level of the liquid storage tank after the auxiliary tank becomes empty.

Since the atomizing vibrator according to the present invention can realize suitable atomization according to the liquid level of the liquid storage tank, the atomizing apparatus does not have a replenishment tank for keeping the liquid level of the liquid storage tank constant. Are particularly useful in

W Liquid for atomization 1 Atomization device 2 Liquid storage tank 2A Bottom surface 3 Atomization unit 5 Liquid level sensor (liquid level detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 control part 7 high

frequency oscillation part

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Vibrator for atomization 11 piezoelectric vibrator 11a other surface 11b one surface 12 electrode (other surface side)

12A connection part

20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D electrode (one surface side)
21 Center electrode (first embodiment)
22 Outer peripheral electrode (first embodiment)
23, 44

Gap

24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 45, 46, 47, 54, 55, 56 Wiring for

power supply

27, 48, 49 Opening / closing switch 31 Center electrode (second embodiment)
31A, 51A, 52A connection piece 32 outer peripheral electrode (second embodiment)
32A, 52B, 53A Notch 41 Center electrode (third embodiment)
42 First outer peripheral electrode (third embodiment)
43 Second outer peripheral electrode (third embodiment)
51 Center electrode (the fourth embodiment)
52 First outer peripheral electrode (Fourth embodiment)
53 Second outer peripheral electrode (Fourth embodiment)
60 drive unit

Claims

An atomizing vibrator comprising: a plate-like piezoelectric vibrator; and electrodes provided on one side and the other side of the piezoelectric vibrator, respectively.
An electrode provided on the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator surrounds a center electrode disposed at a central portion of the piezoelectric vibrator and an outer periphery of the center electrode, and is disposed so as to be electrically separated from the center electrode. What is claimed is: 1. An atomizing vibrator comprising: a ring-shaped outer peripheral electrode.
The atomizing vibrator according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated into at least two or more annular electrodes via an annular gap portion.
An atomizing vibrator comprising: a disk-shaped piezoelectric vibrator; and circular electrodes provided on one side and the other side of the piezoelectric vibrator, respectively.
An electrode provided on the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator is concentrically and electrically separated from a central electrode arranged at a central portion of the piezoelectric vibrator and the central electrode. What is claimed is: 1. A vibrator for atomization, comprising: an annular peripheral electrode.
The atomization according to claim 3, wherein the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated into at least two or more annular electrodes through concentric annular gaps. Oscillator.
An atomizing vibrator comprising: a plate-like piezoelectric vibrator; and electrodes provided on one side and the other side of the piezoelectric vibrator, respectively.
An electrode provided on the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator surrounds a center electrode eccentrically arranged with respect to a center in the one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator, and an outer periphery of the center electrode, What is claimed is: 1. An atomizing vibrator comprising: an annular outer peripheral electrode arranged to be electrically separated from an electrode.
The atomizing vibrator according to claim 5, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator has a disk shape.
The electrode according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the outer peripheral electrode is electrically separated into at least two or more electrodes sequentially surrounding the outer periphery of the center electrode in layers through a gap portion. Atomization vibrator.
An atomizing vibrator according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5, or 6;
And a drive unit for driving the atomizing vibrator,
The drive unit is a switch unit that turns on / off energization to the outer peripheral electrode.
A control unit that switches ON / OFF of the switch unit based on an output signal from a liquid level detection unit that detects a liquid level of a liquid storage tank.
An atomizing vibrator according to any one of claims 2, 4 or 7;
And a drive unit for driving the atomizing vibrator,
The drive unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of outer peripheral electrodes, and a switch unit that turns on / off energization to the corresponding outer peripheral electrodes.
A control unit that switches ON / OFF of the switch unit based on an output signal from a liquid level detection unit that detects a liquid level of a liquid storage tank.
An atomization apparatus comprising: the atomization unit according to claim 8, a liquid storage tank for storing liquid for atomization, and liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid storage tank.
The atomizing vibrator is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank.
The said control part switches the said switch part from ON to OFF, when the liquid level of the said liquid storage tank falls to predetermined value based on the output signal from the said liquid level detection means. apparatus.
10. An atomization apparatus comprising: the atomization unit according to claim 9, a liquid storage tank for storing liquid for atomization, and liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid storage tank.
The atomizing vibrator is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank.
The control unit is configured to turn the outer peripheral electrode, in which the switch unit is switched from ON to OFF, toward the central portion as the liquid level of the liquid storage tank decreases based on the output signal from the liquid level detection unit. An atomizing device characterized by increasing
An atomizing apparatus in which the atomizing vibrator according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5, and 6 is installed at the bottom of a liquid storage tank for storing an atomizing liquid. Driving method,
When the liquid level of the liquid storage tank falls to a predetermined value, the energization to the outer peripheral electrode is stopped, and the driving method of the atomization device.
It is a drive method of the atomization apparatus by which the vibrator for atomization as described in any one of Claim 2, Claim 4 or Claim 7 was installed in the bottom part of the storage tank which stores the liquid for atomization. ,
A driving method of an atomizing device, wherein the outer peripheral electrode to be deenergized is gradually increased toward the central portion as the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is lowered.