JPH06277590A - Ultrasonic atomizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide an ultrasonic atomizing device particularly suitable for atomizing a disinfecting solution for sterilizing hands. [Structure] On the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer for high power,
The atomizing medium supplied to a part of this is provided with a medium diffusing portion having a shape in which the atomizing medium is spread and held on the entire emitting surface by a capillary phenomenon. The medium supply system is arranged to guide the atomized medium to a part of the medium diffusion unit. Since the medium diffusing section operates in the same way as an exponential horn to obtain an atomizing function, it is possible to spray droplets of the required atomized particle size determined by an arbitrary ultrasonic frequency in a diffused state. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an apparatus which is highly compact and extremely small and which is suitable for sterilization of hands. Moreover, after the atomized particle size is determined in advance by the ultrasonic frequency, the amount of atomization can be easily adjusted independently by keeping the supplied power constant.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizing device particularly suitable for atomizing a disinfecting liquid for sterilizing hands mainly in hospitals and clinics.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, nosocomial infections in hospitals and clinics have become a social problem. To prevent this nosocomial infection, for example, alcohol is 80% and a surfactant is 20%.
There is a demand for a device that can automatically squirt a disinfecting solution mixed at a ratio of 10 to sterilize and disinfect fingers, and that does not require the use of hand wipes to prevent secondary infection. Therefore, sterilizing and disinfecting the hand is considered in which the disinfecting liquid is atomized and ejected in a spray manner so that an appropriate amount of the disinfecting liquid is instantly attached so as to wet the entire hand and the use of hand towels is not required.

At present, means for utilizing ultrasonic waves to atomize a liquid are generally adopted. The reason is that the amount of atomization and the atomized particle size have the advantage that they can be independently controlled by varying the power supplied to the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic frequency. As the ultrasonic atomizer, the one used in the frequency band of 800 KHz to 3 MHz is most often used, and the representative one is the ultrasonic humidifier. This ultrasonic humidifier has the advantage that it does not have the various drawbacks of the previous evaporation type and rotary atomizing type atomizers, but the ultrasonic oscillator is in direct contact with the liquid to be atomized. In addition, there is a drawback that ions contained in water combine with carbon dioxide gas in the air to produce a white powder compound.

FIG. 7 shows a humidifier which eliminates the drawbacks.
There are medical humidifiers as shown in. This humidifier
The ultrasonic vibrator (2) is attached to the bottom opening of the water tank (1) with a fixing screw (4) through a support rubber (3) in a state of contacting the water (5) in the water tank (1). The liquid (6) to be atomized is water (5) due to a thin permeable membrane (7) formed by processing a corrosion resistant plate such as a stainless plate or a polyester film.
In contrast, it is placed in the atomization chamber (8) in an isolated state. Therefore, since the sound wave from the ultrasonic transducer (2) is not directly applied to the liquid (6) to be atomized but is propagated through the water and transmitted, there is a drawback that the compound of white powder as described above is generated. Absent. Then, the droplets of the atomized liquid (6) are sprayed through the discharge pipe (10) by the air sent from the blower pipe (9) to the atomization chamber (8).

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned medical humidifier requires a compressor or the like for sending air to the atomizing chamber (8) through the blower pipe (9), resulting in a large size of the entire apparatus, which causes nosocomial infection. Not only is it unsuitable for the purpose of installing it in the toilet of a hospital for prevention, but since the humidifier structurally requires a high ultrasonic frequency above a certain level, it is necessary to atomize it for disinfecting the above-mentioned hands. Inappropriate because the particle size is too small,
In addition, the water (5) for propagating sound waves has a drawback that it is heated and damaged, which is a safety problem.

By the way, 30 μ, which is suitable for hand disinfection,
In order to obtain droplets having an atomized particle size of m to 120 μm, it is necessary to drive the ultrasonic transducer in the frequency range of 10 KHz to 100 KHz. As shown in FIG. 8, such an ultrasonic atomizing device has a configuration in which a bolt tightening type oscillator (11) such as a Langevin type oscillator or a magnetostrictive oscillator and an exponential horn (12) are combined. The explosive horn (12) provides an atomizing function. However, the explosive horn (12) concentrates atomized droplets at approximately one point, which is suitable for applications such as combustion burners, but not for applications such as atomizers. It cannot be used for disinfection. Further, since the bolt-tightened vibrator (11) is combined with the relatively long exponential horn (12), the shape becomes large and the bolt-tightened vibrator (1)
1) It becomes expensive in itself.

[0007] Therefore, it is a technical object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic atomizing device particularly suitable for atomizing a disinfecting solution for sterilizing a hand.

[0008]

The present invention has an ultrasonic atomizing device configured as follows as a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned problems. That is, the atomizing medium supplied to a part of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the high-power ultrasonic transducer that is driven by being supplied with electric power of a predetermined frequency from the oscillator spreads and holds on the entire emitting surface due to the capillary phenomenon. A medium diffusing section having the shape described above is provided, and the medium supply system is arranged so as to guide the atomizing medium to a part of the medium diffusing section.

It is preferable to use a bolted Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator as the high power ultrasonic vibrator. Further, the medium diffusing portion can be configured by a mesh plate or a perforated plate that is bonded and fixed to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface.

Furthermore, the fog dropped laterally from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface onto the mesh plate or the perforated plate and dropped from the medium supply system at a lateral position of the ultrasonic transducer for high power. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a medium introducing portion for receiving the chemical medium on the upper surface is integrally formed.

Furthermore, it is preferable that a plurality of portions which are a part of the mesh plate or the perforated plate are fixed to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface by any means such as adhesion, screwing or welding.

The high-power ultrasonic transducer is provided with an atomizing medium supply path extending from a side portion to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface itself is provided with a large number of fine grooves. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the medium diffusion portion having a rough surface shape, which is arranged vertically and horizontally, is formed.

[0013]

The high-power ultrasonic transducer converts electric energy of a predetermined frequency supplied from the oscillator into mechanical vibration energy. On the other hand, the atomizing medium supplied to a part of the medium diffusing portion provided on the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the vibrator spreads and is held on the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface by the capillary phenomenon. When the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic wave emission surface of the vibrator acts on the atomized medium, the atomized medium is atomized from almost the entire ultrasonic wave emission surface, and droplets are sprayed. In this way, the medium diffusing unit can obtain an atomizing function by operating in substantially the same manner as an exponential horn connected to a vibrator in the related art. Therefore, the size can be extremely reduced and a certain level or higher like a humidifier. Unlike those requiring ultrasonic frequencies, the desired atomized particle size can be obtained by driving in any frequency range. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an extremely small device suitable for sterilizing and disinfecting hands.

If a plurality of portions, which are a part of the mesh plate or the perforated plate as the medium diffusion portion, are fixed to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the non-adhered part occupying most of the mesh plate or the perforated plate. There is an advantage that atomization can be efficiently performed and spraying can be performed in a diffused state. Moreover, the atomized particle size of the droplet is determined by the ultrasonic frequency supplied from the oscillator to the oscillator,
Since the atomization amount can be variably adjusted by the medium supply amount by the medium supply system, the electric power supplied from the oscillator to the vibrator can be made constant, and the adjustment can be easily performed. Furthermore, if atomization is performed using a mesh plate or a perforated plate, there is an advantage that the atomization state such as diffusion or concentration can be changed depending on the opening diameter and shape thereof.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially broken front view showing the overall schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention when applied to a device for hand sterilization.
A bolted Langevin type ultrasonic transducer (14) is inserted into the main body case (1) inside the main body case (13).
3) A plurality of support rods (15) projecting inward through the side surface of (3) are pressed against each other at the tips to be supported in a suspended state. The bolted Langevin type vibrator (14) includes a radiation metal block (14a) and a rear metal block (14b).
And two annular piezoelectric elements (14c), (14
d), the bolt (14e) is connected to the radiating metal block (14a) and each piezoelectric element (14c),
Each of the piezoelectric elements (14c) has a structure in which it is inserted into (14d), screwed into a screw hole of the rear metal block (14b), and tightened with a bolt (14e) to integrate them.
Negative and positive electrode plates (14d)
f) and (14g) are attached. This bolted Langevin type vibrator (14) is a piezoelectric element (14).
Since the tensile stresses of c) and (14d) are weaker than the compressive stress, an ultrasonic wave oscillating source of equipment such as an ultrasonic cleaning machine or an ultrasonic processing machine which gives a large power by giving tensile stress with the bolt (14e) Is used as. The figure shows an example of using a commercially available ultrasonic cleaning machine at a low price. This vibrator (14) has a radiating metal block (14a) with a radiating metal surface (14h). ), It has an expanded shape with the diameter gradually increasing, and has an atomizing diffusion effect, and is supported in a hanging state with the radiating metal surface (14h) facing downward. The present invention is not limited to the bolted Langevin type vibrator (14), and other high-power ultrasonic vibrators such as a metal magnetostrictive vibrator and a ferrite vibrator can be used without causing any inconvenience.

A mesh metal plate (16) is bonded and fixed to the radiating metal surface (14h) of the radiating metal block (14a) which is the lower end surface of the vibrator (14). This mesh-shaped metal plate (16), as shown in FIG.
The liquid introduction parts (16a) are integrally projected from four locations on the outer periphery at equal intervals.
The outer peripheral portion and the central portion excluding the respective forming portions of a) are
Adhesive is applied and adhered to the radiating metal surface (14h). The adhesive portion (16b) of the mesh metal plate (16) is
Although not limited to the position shown in the drawing, at least a part thereof may be provided discontinuously instead of fixing the whole. Although experimental results have shown that the above-mentioned mesh metal plate (16) is most effective as a mesh plate, a mesh plate made of plasticic or ceramic can also be used.

Further, four liquid supply nozzles (17) for supplying the disinfecting liquid to the mesh-shaped metal plate (16) have respective liquid supply ports at the tips thereof for introducing each liquid of the mesh-shaped metal plate (16). Department (1
It is fixed through the body case (13) so as to be located above 6). Disinfecting liquid in a liquid storage tank (not shown) is supplied to each liquid supply nozzle (17) by a liquid supply pump (18).
Is supplied through the tube (19) by the driving of (1) and is dripped onto the respective introducing portions (16a) of the mesh metal plate (16) from the liquid supply ports at the respective tips. On the other hand, the oscillator (1
4) is the positive and negative electrode plates (14g), (14f)
To the piezoelectric elements (14d) and (14c) through the oscillator (2
(0) is supplied with a voltage of a predetermined frequency, and the vibration generated by the mechanical contact causes the metal blocks (14).
Resonance occurs due to the standing wave that is transmitted to a) and (14b) and is generated thereby. Although not shown in the figure, a switching photoelectric sensor for detecting that the inside of the body case (13) has been put in through the opening of the body case (13) in a non-contact manner is arranged at the lower portion of the front surface.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When a hand is put into the case (13) from the front opening of the case (13) to disinfect the hand, the photoelectric sensor detects this without contact, so that the liquid supply pump (18) and the oscillator (20) are together. It is powered and driven. The vibrator (14) converts electrical energy of a predetermined frequency supplied from the oscillator (20) into mechanical vibration energy, and the vibrator (14) excites the mesh metal plate (16) to flexurally vibrate. This flexural vibrating mesh metal plate (16)
The disinfectant solution is dropped onto each solution introduction part (16a) from each solution supply nozzle (17) as indicated by the broken line in FIG.

The disinfectant solution dropped on each of the solution introducing portions (16a) is a portion of the mesh metal plate (16) excluding the bonding portion (16b) of the radiating metal surface (14h) and the mesh metal plate (1).
It is held in such a state that it spreads over the entire gap with 6) by a capillary phenomenon and is accumulated in the mesh holes of the mesh metal plate (16).
The ultrasonic waves radiated from the radiating metal surface (14h) of the vibrator (14) act on the disinfectant solution, so that droplets of the disinfectant solution atomized are sprayed from almost the entire mesh metal plate (16). It That is, the mesh-shaped metal plate (16) bonded and fixed to the radiating metal surface (14h) acts in substantially the same manner as the exponential horn (12) shown in FIG. 8 to obtain an atomizing function. This atomized disinfectant solution wetly adheres to the entire hand contained in the main body case (13), and sterilization of the hand is instantaneously performed. By the way, the actual measurement result shows that the vibrator (14) is supplied with alternating power of 30 W at a frequency of 40 KHz and one liquid introduction part (16a) of the mesh-shaped metal plate (16) having a mesh hole diameter of 500 μm. When an antiseptic solution was dropped on the sample, an atomization rate of 0.6 cc / sec could be obtained.

Then, when the atomized disinfectant solution is sufficiently attached to the hand, the hand is taken out from the main body case (13), and the photoelectric sensor detects it and the pump (18) and the oscillator (2) are detected.
The driving of 0) is stopped, and the spraying of the disinfectant solution is stopped. Therefore,
Every time the hand is put in the body case (13), only the required amount of the disinfectant solution is automatically produced, which is economical, and an appropriate amount of the disinfectant solution adheres to the hand as droplets, so wipe the hand wipes. There is no need to use it, and there is no fear of secondary infection.

This ultrasonic atomizer has a simple structure in which the mesh metal plate (16) is joined to the radiating metal surface (14h) of the vibrator (14) and partially fixed to the vibrator (1).
4) can be driven at any frequency within the frequency range of 10 KHz to 100 KHz to obtain an atomized particle size of 30 μm to 120 μm, so it is extremely compact and does not require a compressor or exponential horn. It is possible to obtain an apparatus suitable for sterilization and disinfection, and it is extremely safe as compared with a humidifier. Furthermore,
The disinfecting liquid dropped onto the liquid introducing part (16a) is made to adhere to the radiating metal plate (14h) by partially adhering a plurality of locations on the mesh metal plate (16) excluding the liquid introducing part (16a). (16) has an advantage that it can be efficiently dispersed toward the non-adhesive portion that occupies most of the area (16), and that the non-adhesive portion can be efficiently atomized and sprayed in a diffused state. The atomized particle size of the droplet can be determined by the ultrasonic frequency used, and the atomization amount can be variably adjusted by the flow rate of the pump (18). It has the advantage that the power supply can be kept constant and adjustment is easy. Furthermore, since atomization is performed using the mesh metal plate (16), the atomization state such as diffusion or concentration can be changed by the diameter and shape of the mesh holes of the mesh metal plate (16), and the mesh metal plate can be changed. Since the atomization amount can be adjusted by the area of the above-mentioned non-adhesive portion of the plate (16), the atomization amount can be set while maintaining a constant atomization state.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications that can be included in the present invention will be described below. Instead of the mesh-like metal plate (16) of the above-mentioned embodiment, a punching metal plate (21) having a large number of small holes as shown in FIG.
Even if it is fixed to 4h), it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the above embodiment. This punching metal plate (2
In the partial fixing of 1) to the radiating metal plate (14h), a plurality of fixing screws (22) are inserted into the punching metal plate (21) as shown in FIG. It may be performed by means of screwing with the radiating metal block (14a), or welding means may be used instead of the fixing screw (22). Furthermore, even if the liquid introducing part (21a) of the punching metal plate (21) is provided at only one place as shown in the figure, the liquid dropped in this liquid introducing part (21a) spreads over the entire surface due to the capillary phenomenon. The effect of can be obtained.

Further, as a liquid supplying means to the vibrator (14), as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the mesh metal plate (16) or the punching metal plate (21) having the above-mentioned simply protruding shape is used. A liquid introducing part (23) having a width and a length larger than those of the liquid introducing parts (16a) and (21a) is integrally projected, and the liquid introducing part (23) is curved in a U-shaped cross section to supply the liquid. If it is directly connected to the nozzle (17),
The disinfectant can be reliably supplied. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the disc-shaped mesh metal plate (16) or punching metal plate (21) is slightly larger in diameter than the radiating metal surface (14h) of the vibrator (14). By forming, the annular liquid introducing part (24) is formed so as to project laterally from the outer periphery of the radiating metal surface (14h), and this liquid introducing part (24)
If the disinfecting liquid is dropped on the liquid supply nozzle (17), the liquid introducing part (16) shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed.
Since it is unnecessary to position the liquid supply nozzle (17) with respect to a) and (21a), the liquid supply nozzle (17) can be easily attached.

Further, as another means for supplying liquid to the vibrator (14), as shown in FIG. 5 (a), a metal radiating block (14a) of the vibrator (14) is radiated from the side of the metal block. A configuration may be used in which the through hole (25) reaching the surface (14h) is bored and the liquid supply nozzle (17) is fitted into the through hole (25). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the radiating metal block (14a) of the vibrator (14)
The liquid supply groove (26) extending from the side of the liquid supply groove (26) to the radiating metal surface (14h) is cut, and the liquid supply pipe (27) is fitted and fixed in the liquid supply groove (26), and the liquid supply The liquid supply nozzle (17) may be connected to the pipe (27).

With the liquid supply structure as shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, the disinfecting liquid can be directly supplied to the radiating metal surface (14h) of the vibrator (14). Without connecting the mesh metal plate (16), the punching metal plate (21), etc. to the radiating metal surface (14h), as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), a large number of fine grooves (28) are arranged vertically and horizontally on the radiating metal surface (14h) to form a rough surface, and the disinfectant solution is diffused on the radiating metal surface (14h) itself. Even if it has a function, the same effect as that of the mesh metal plate (16) or punching metal plate (21) can be obtained.

[0026]

As described above, according to the ultrasonic atomizing device of the present invention, the high-power ultrasonic transducer which is driven by being supplied with the electric power of the predetermined frequency from the oscillator has its ultrasonic radiation surface downward. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface is provided with a medium diffusing portion having a shape in which the atomizing medium supplied to a part of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is spread and held by the whole of the emitting surface by a capillary phenomenon. Since it is arranged so as to guide the atomizing medium to a part of the medium diffusing section, the medium diffusing section acts in substantially the same way as an exponential horn connected to a vibrator in the past, and has an atomizing function. Since it can be obtained, it can be driven in an arbitrary frequency range to spray droplets having a required atomized particle size in a diffused state, has high safety and is extremely small, and is suitable for hand sterilization. The device can be obtained. Moreover, the atomized particle size of the liquid droplets can be adjusted by selecting the frequency of the oscillator to be used, and the atomization amount can be variably adjusted by the medium supply system, so the power supplied from the oscillator to the oscillator can be adjusted. Can be constant,
It has the advantage of being easy to adjust.

If a plurality of portions, which are a part of the mesh plate or the perforated plate as the medium diffusion part, are fixed to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the non-adhered part occupying most of the mesh plate or the perforated plate. There is an advantage that the atomized state can be efficiently atomized and sprayed in a diffused state, and the atomized state such as diffused or concentrated can be changed depending on the opening diameter and shape of the mesh plate or the perforated plate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the main part of the same.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another example of the medium diffusion unit of the present invention.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are partial perspective views of another example of the liquid supply means of the present invention.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are partial perspective views of still another example of the liquid supply means of the present invention.

6A and 6B are a bottom view and a vertical sectional view of still another example of the medium diffusion portion of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional medical humidifier.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a conventional ultrasonic atomizing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 bolted Langevin type ultrasonic transducer 14h radiating metal surface (ultrasonic radiating surface) 16 mesh metal plate (mesh plate) 16a liquid introducing part (medium introducing part) of mesh metal plate 16b adhesion of mesh metal plate Part 17 Liquid Supply Nozzle (Media Supply System) 20 Oscillator 21 Punching Metal Plate (Perforated Plate) 22 Fixing Screws 23, 24 Liquid Introducing Part (Media Introducing Part) 25 Through Hole (Medium Supply Pass) 26 Liquid Supply Groove (Medium Supply Pass) ) 28 narrow groove

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic wave emitting surface of a high-power ultrasonic transducer which is driven by being supplied with electric power of a predetermined frequency from an oscillator, and an atomizing medium supplied to a part of the ultrasonic wave transmitting surface is entirely covered by the capillary phenomenon. An ultrasonic atomization device, characterized in that a medium diffusing section having a shape that is expanded and held is provided, and a medium supply system is arranged so as to guide the atomizing medium to a part of the medium diffusing section. 2. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein the high-power ultrasonic transducer is a bolted Langevin type ultrasonic transducer. 3. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein the medium diffusing portion is formed of a mesh plate or a perforated plate that is bonded and fixed to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. 4. Atomization that is projected laterally with respect to the ultrasonic radiation surface and is dropped from the medium supply system at a lateral position of the high-power ultrasonic transducer on the mesh plate or the perforated plate. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 3, wherein a medium introducing portion that receives the medium on the upper surface is integrally formed. 5. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface is fixed at a plurality of positions which are a part of the mesh plate or the perforated plate by any means such as adhesion, screwing or welding. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 4. 6. The ultrasonic transducer for high power is provided with an atomizing medium supply path extending from a side portion to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface itself is provided with a large number of fine grooves. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the medium-diffusing portion having a rough surface shape is arranged vertically and horizontally.