Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – With means to vibrate or jiggle discharge – By electric transducer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-05
2001-08-14
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
With means to vibrate or jiggle discharge
By electric transducer
C239S102100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273342
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an atomizer that sprays out liquid utilizing a piezoelectric element.
BACKGROUND ART
An atomizer of interest to the present invention is disclosed in, for example, International Publication Nos. WO93/20949 and WO97/05960. The conventional atomizer disclosed in these publications has a metal horn combined with a mesh member with many small holes to spray out liquid at low power consumption. In this atomizer, one end of the metal horn is immersed in the liquid in a reservoir. The mesh member is arranged at the other end of the metal horn. By the ultrasonic-vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator attached to the metal horn, liquid is absorbed from one end of the metal horn. The absorbed liquid is atomized by the synergistic effect between the metal horn that is vibrated ultrasonically and the mesh member.
However, such an atomizer has problems such as: {circumflex over (1)} positioning between the mesh member and metal horn; and {circumflex over (2)} stability of atomization. As to problem {circumflex over (1)}, the atomization action will become insufficient if the distance between the mesh member and the other end of the metal horn is too large or too small to degrade the atomization efficiency. As to problem {circumflex over (2)}, the structural distance between the mesh member and the metal horn is apt to become unstable to result in an unconstant atomization action. There was a problem that stable atomization is difficult.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is to provide an atomizer of favorable atomization efficiency.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an atomizer that can effect atomization stably.
In order to achieve the above objects, an atomizer of the present invention includes a piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having one electrode and the other electrode formed alternately, an oscillator to drive the piezoelectric element, a mesh member having many small holes arranged in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, a reservoir storing a liquid, and a liquid supply device supplying the liquid in the reservoir between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member. The vibratory wave used in the atomization of the piezoelectric element by the oscillator is a wave that travels mainly through the piezoelectric element (bulk wave).
In this atomizer, the piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having electrodes formed alternately are combined with a mesh member and uses the bulk wave that travels through the piezoelectric element. Therefore, a great oscillatory displacement is obtained with a small electrical energy. The atomization efficiency is favorable.
Preferably, the material of the piezoelectric element is lithium niobate with a 41±15° rotation Y cut and Y axis projection propagation direction. The oscillation efficiency is improved by the usage of a predetermined propagation direction of the material.
Preferably, the piezoelectric element has a thickness so that the oscillation frequency of the surface wave and the oscillation frequency of the bulk wave differ from each other. The comb-type electrode of the piezoelectric element is arranged so that the oscillation frequency of the surface wave differs from the oscillation frequency of the bulk wave. As a result, the oscillation frequency of the bulk wave is stabilized without rendering the oscillation circuit complicated.
Preferably, at least the end portion of the piezoelectric element crossing the advancing direction of the surface wave has a configuration so that the wave reflected at that end does not interfere with the surface wave. As a result, no interference of the vibratory wave (surface wave or bulk wave) occurs. Oscillation is stabilized.
Preferably, the piezoelectric element has two opposite planes. The comb-type electrode is provided only at one plane side of the piezoelectric element, opposite to the plane facing the mesh member. Since the comb-type electrode does not come into contact with the liquid( liquid reagent), electrode corrosion, electrical corrosion and electrical shorting by the liquid reagent can be prevented.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an atomizer includes a piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having one electrode and the other electrode formed alternately, an oscillator driving the piezoelectric element, a mesh member having many small holes arranged in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, a reservoir storing a liquid, and a liquid supply device supplying the liquid in the reservoir between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member. The mesh member is of a horn configuration in which the cross sectional shape of the small hole is defined according to the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric element and the sound speed of the fluid. Since the cross sectional shape of the small hole of the mesh member is of a horn configuration that is defined according to the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric element and the sound speed of the fluid, atomization of favorable efficiency can be achieved with a relatively small power.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, an atomizer includes a piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having one electrode and the other electrode formed alternately, an oscillator driving the piezoelectric element, a mesh member having many small holes arranged in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, a reservoir storing a liquid, and a liquid supply device supplying the liquid in the reservoir between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member. The piezoelectric element and the mesh member are arranged so that the planes facing each other cross at an acute angle. The liquid from the liquid supply device is provided from the opening side therebetween.
Also, there are provided a piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having one electrode and the other electrode formed alternately, an oscillator driving this piezoelectric element, a mesh member having a plurality of small holes arranged in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, a reservoir storing a liquid, and a liquid supply device supplying the liquid in the reservoir between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member. The piezoelectric element and the mesh member are arranged to have their facing planes cross each other at an acute angle. The reservoir includes a supply pipe extending to the opening side between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member.
As a result, the remaining amount of liquid in the reservoir can be minimized. Also, atomization is allowed of a liquid of low viscosity such as an agent dissolved with alcohol or a liquid of low surface tension including a surfactant.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, an atomizer includes a piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having one electrode and the other electrode formed alternately, an oscillator driving the piezoelectric element, a mesh member having many small holes arranged in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, a reservoir storing a liquid, and a liquid supply device supplying the liquid in the reservoir between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member. The piezoelectric element is characterized in that the circumferential end portion is pressed and fittedly held by waterproof packing. As a result, water resistance can be improved while minimizing the oscillatory attenuation of the piezoelectric element.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an atomizer includes a piezoelectric element with comb-type electrodes having one electrode and the other electrode formed alternately, an oscillator driving this piezoelectric element, a mesh member having many small holes arranged in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, a reservoir storing a liquid, and a liquid supply device supplying the liquid in the reservoir between the piezoelectric element and the mesh member. The piezoelectric element has a liquid sense elec
Asai Kei
Matsuura Kuniaki
Terada Takao
Hwu Davis
Morrison & Foerster / LLP
Omron Corporation
Scherbel David A.
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