JPH0614809Y2 - Ultrasonic atomizer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer, and more particularly to improvement of the ultrasonic atomizer suitable as a humidifier.

[Conventional technology]

In the past, this type of ultrasonic atomizer fixed a piezoelectric vibrator to the bottom of a reservoir containing water, and applied an oscillation signal to this piezoelectric oscillator to drive the piezoelectric oscillator to drive the surface of the reservoir water surface. It is configured to radiate ultrasonic energy toward the target to generate fog near the surface of the water, and to blow the fog to the outside by the wind from the blower fan. It is equipped with a tank for replenishing water into the storage tank. .

However, the water in the storage tank contains microorganisms in the air, such as bacteria, and is generally considerably contaminated with microorganisms.

Therefore, if the water in the storage tank is atomized, bacteria will be blown out into the air together with the mist, which is a kind of allergy caused by the bacteria blown out together with the mist from the ultrasonic atomizer recently. It has been found that it may induce hypersensitivity pneumonitis (so-called humidifier lung) and infections.

Therefore, in order to prevent bacteria from being blown out from the ultrasonic atomizer together with the mist, an ultraviolet germicidal lamp is placed in the ultrasonic atomizer, and ultraviolet rays are radiated and sterilized in the ultrasonic atomizer. ， Proposals have been made to prevent the spread of bacteria.

[Problems to be solved by the device]

However, in the ultrasonic atomizer with a built-in ultraviolet germicidal lamp, the ultrasonic atomizer body is made of synthetic resin from the viewpoints of ease of molding and cost reduction. There are new problems such as discoloration of the cover and cracks.

Especially, in the ultrasonic atomizer, the water temperature of the storage tank and the tank when driving the piezoelectric vibrator is likely to be about 30 ° C., which is suitable for the growth of bacteria, and the ultrasonic atomization device suppresses the growth of bacteria. There is a demand for measures to maintain the mechanical strength of the main body.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic atomization device which can easily prevent the growth of bacteria and maintain the mechanical strength of the device body. To do.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention arranges a piezoelectric vibrator in a part of a reservoir in which a liquid to be atomized is stored, and connects a drive circuit to the piezoelectric vibrator to perform a vibration operation of the piezoelectric vibrator. The synthetic resin atomizing cover that allows the mist generated from the liquid in the reservoir to flow out in a predetermined direction is covered by the synthetic resin atomizing cover, and an ultraviolet germicidal lamp is placed in the space formed by the storing container and the atomizing cover. The ultraviolet germicidal lamp is connected to a lighting circuit.

Then, at least the inner surface of the atomization cover is formed with a reflection layer that reflects the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp.

Further, in the present invention, the drive circuit may be formed so as to drive the piezoelectric vibrator after a lapse of a predetermined time after starting the lighting operation of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp, and further, after the oscillation of the piezoelectric vibrator is stopped. The lighting circuit can be formed so as to stop the lighting of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[Action]

In the present invention equipped with such means, ultraviolet rays are radiated from an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp arranged in the space formed by the storage tank and the atomizing cover to sterilize bacteria, and the inner surface of the atomizing cover is sterilized. Ultraviolet rays are reflected by the reflective layer formed on the inner surface of the atomization cover and are hard to be absorbed in the main body of the atomization cover, and the ultraviolet rays are strongly applied to a wide area in the inner space formed by the storage container and the atomization cover. .

Further, in the configuration in which the piezoelectric vibrator is driven after the lighting operation of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp is started, the mist is generated after reducing the bacteria that have proliferated during the suspension of use.

Further, in the configuration in which the ultraviolet germicidal lamp is turned off after the oscillation of the piezoelectric vibrator is stopped, the bacteria remaining at the time of stop are reduced.

〔Example〕

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic atomizing device according to the present invention.

In the figure, for example, an upper side of a box-shaped case body 1 formed by molding synthetic resin is partially opened, and a concave flat storage tank 3 formed by molding synthetic resin is formed in this opening. It is supported by the case body 1 such that its peripheral edge is locked, and most of it is housed in the case body 1.

The reservoir 3 stores the water 5 to be atomized, and a piezoelectric vibrator 9 is fixed from the outside so as to close a part thereof, for example, a hole 7 formed at the bottom.

The piezoelectric vibrator 9 has a conventionally known structure, vibrates by application of an oscillation signal from a drive circuit 11 described later, and radiates ultrasonic energy toward the water surface of the water 5. The water 5 is atomized while the liquid column 13 is formed on the water surface by the radiation of energy.

A tank 15 for storing water is placed on one half of the case main body 1, and a concave plate 17 arranged so as to overlap with a position close to the end of the storage tank 3 is provided at one end of the storage container 3 or the case main body 1.
And the water supply lid 15a of the tank 15 is fixed to
An intermittent water replenishment part 19 is formed to intermittently replenish the water 5 from the tank 15 when the water 5 in the storage tank 3 decreases.

A large cup-shaped atomizing cover 21 formed of synthetic resin is detachably fixed to the case body 1 so as to cover the reservoir 3 at the side of the tank 15. The cover 21 forms an internal space 23.

The outflow tube 25 fixed to the atomizing cover 21 so as to penetrate the upper surface of the atomizing cover 21 guides the atomized fog to the outside and has one end extending to the vicinity of the reservoir 3 and the other end. A horn portion 27 is rotatably fixed to the outside of the atomization cover 21.

An air passage 29 extends from the inside of the case body 1 to the inside of the atomization cover 21, and the blower fan 3 arranged inside the case body 1
The wind from 1 is sent to the internal space 23 formed by the storage tank 3 and the atomization cover 21, and is blown out through the outflow tube 25.

A conventionally known ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 33 is arranged at one end of the outflow tube 25, that is, near the upper example of the storage tank 3, and the ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 33 is turned on by a known lighting circuit 35 arranged in the case body 1. The lamp is operated.

On the portion facing the internal space 23, that is, on the inner surfaces of the atomizing cover 21 and the reservoir 3 and on the surface of the air passage 29, a reflection layer 37 that reflects the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 33.
However, metal material deposition, electroless plating, metal foil attachment,
It is formed by coating a resin having good durability and reflection with respect to ultraviolet rays, such as melamine resin or alkyd resin, or any other known method.

The drive circuit 11 is operated by a switch 39 arranged on the side surface of the case body 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an ON signal (DC signal) from the switch 39 is input to one input terminal of the AND gate 11a. ), Enter AN
The ON signal (DC signal) from the switch 39 is input to the other input terminal of the D gate 11a via a known time constant circuit 11b including a resistor R and a capacitor C, and the output terminal of the AND gate 11a is connected to the oscillation circuit 11c. When the ON signal (DC signal) from the switch 39 is input and the time constant of the time constant circuit 11b is appropriately set for several minutes, the drive circuit is formed after several minutes have elapsed. 11 has a function of oscillating.

The lighting circuit 35 is operated by the switch 39,
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an ON signal (DC signal) from the switch 39 is input to one input terminal of the OR gate 35a, and an ON signal (DC signal from the switch 39 is input to the other input terminal of the OR gate 35a. Signal) via a time constant circuit 35b composed of a resistor R and a capacitor C, and an output terminal of the OR gate 35a is connected to a switch circuit 35c. The time constant of the time constant circuit 35b is set to a few minutes. When the ON signal (DC signal) from the switch 39 is turned off, the UV sterilizing lamp 33 is continuously turned on for several minutes.

Therefore, when the switch 39 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 4, the lighting circuit 35 starts lighting the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 33, and a few minutes after that, the drive circuit 11 drives the piezoelectric vibrator 9. .

When the switch 39 is turned off, the driving of the piezoelectric vibrator 9 is stopped, and a few minutes after that, the lighting circuit 35 stops the lighting of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 33.

In the ultrasonic atomizing device of the present invention constructed as described above, since the lighting circuit 35 lights the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 33 when the switch 39 is turned on, the inside space 23 inside the atomizing cover 21 is sterilized. After that, the piezoelectric vibrator 9 is driven by the drive circuit 11 and the fog atomized from the water 5 in the storage tank 3 is blown out from the horn portion 27 through the air blowing passage 29 by the air blow of the air blowing fan 31. .

Therefore, it becomes possible to sterilize the water 5 in the storage tank 3 and the interior space 23 before the atomization by the piezoelectric vibrator 9, and after sterilizing the bacteria that have proliferated during non-use, the fog is performed while sterilizing. Can be blown out.

In addition, since the reflection layer 37 is formed on the portion facing the internal space 23, the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 33 are reflected and strengthened in various ways and are widely radiated to every corner of the space 23. In addition, the case body 1 and the like are less likely to absorb ultraviolet rays, and it is easy to prevent discoloration and maintain mechanical strength.

When the switch 39 is turned off, the operation of the drive circuit 11 is stopped and the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 9 is stopped.
Since the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 33 is turned on for a few minutes and then turned off, the water 5 in the storage tank 3 and the space 23 are sterilized, and the use of the ultrasonic atomizer is stopped with the bacteria reduced. it can.

In the above-described configuration, the example in which the reflection layer 37 is formed on the inner surface of the atomizing cover 21 and the storage container 3 and the surface of the air passage 29 has been described. However, the appearance of the device and the mechanical strength of the device are ensured. From the viewpoint, the object of the present invention can be achieved by forming the reflective layer 37 on at least the inner surface of the atomization cover 21.

In implementing the present invention, a configuration for delaying the operation of the drive circuit 11 when the switch 39 is ON, and the switch 39
The configuration for delaying the operation stop of the lighting circuit 35 during the OFF operation of is not limited to the above-described configuration.

For example, after the switch 39 is turned ON / OFF, the counter is counted for a predetermined time and the drive circuit 11 and the lighting circuit 35 are counted.
May be configured to operate or stop.

[Effect of device]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ultraviolet germicidal lamp is arranged in the internal space formed by the storage container and the synthetic resin atomization cover that covers the storage container, and at least the inner surface of the atomization cover is provided with a reflection for ultraviolet reflection. Since the layers are formed, it becomes easy to blow out strongly sterilized mist and to maintain the mechanical strength of the main body of the device.

Therefore, the present invention is useful not only from the viewpoint of hygiene that suppresses the induction of allergies to the human body, but also from the safety of equipment.

In addition, in the configuration in which the piezoelectric vibrator is driven after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the lighting operation of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp, it is possible to reduce the bacteria that have proliferated during the suspension of use and then generate fog. Sterilization efficiency is increased.

Furthermore, in the configuration in which the ultraviolet germicidal lamp is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the oscillation of the piezoelectric vibrator was stopped, the use can be stopped while the bacteria are reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic atomizing device according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing a driving circuit and a lighting circuit in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the drive circuit and the lighting circuit in FIG. 1. 1 …… Case body 3 …… Reservoir 5 …… Water 9 …… Piezoelectric vibrator 11 …… Drive circuit 13 …… Liquid column 15 …… Tank 17 …… Concave plate 19 …… Intermittent water replenishment part 21 …… Atomization Cover 23 ... Internal space 25 ... Outflow tube 29 ... Blower 31 ... Blower fan 33 ... Ultraviolet germicidal lamp 35 ... Lighting circuit 37 ... Reflective layer 39 ... Switch

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A storage tank in which a liquid to be atomized is stored, a piezoelectric vibrator arranged in a part of the storage tank, a drive circuit for vibrating the piezoelectric vibrator, and the storage tank formed of synthetic resin. And an atomizing cover for covering the container and causing the mist generated from the liquid in the reservoir to flow out in a predetermined direction by the vibration operation of the piezoelectric vibrator, and arranged in a space formed by the reservoir and the atomizing cover. In an ultrasonic atomizer comprising an ultraviolet germicidal lamp and a lighting circuit for lighting the ultraviolet germicidal lamp, at least an inner surface of the atomizing cover is provided with a reflection layer for reflecting ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp. An ultrasonic atomizer characterized by: 2. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein the drive circuit drives the piezoelectric vibrator after a lapse of a predetermined time after starting the lighting of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp. 3. The ultrasonic atomizing device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting circuit stops the lighting of the ultraviolet sterilizing lamp after a predetermined time has elapsed after the oscillation of the piezoelectric vibrator was stopped.