JPH0751064Y2 - Ultrasonic inhaler - Google Patents

Description

【考案の詳細な説明】[Detailed description of the device]

【０００１】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】本考案は、霧状粒子発生機構の防
水性を従来とは異なる構造にて単純化した超音波吸入器
に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inhaler in which the atomizing particle generating mechanism has a waterproof structure which is different from the conventional one.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】超音波を利用して、水や薬液等の液体を
吸い上げ、これを霧化する装置がある（実開平２−７０
７６０号、同２−６６２６８号、同２−７０７５９号、
同２−４０４７３号、同１−１６３４７１号公報等参
照）。例えば、実開平２−７０７５９号公報には、図５
に示すような超音波霧化器が開示されている。この霧化
器１００は、上端開口１２２及び下端開口１２４を有す
る液体吸い上げ用貫通孔１２０を穿設した軸体１１０を
備え、軸体１１０の外側に振動子として複数枚（図では
２枚）の環状圧電素子１３０、１４０をナット１５０、
１６０で締め付けて軸体１１０と一体化したものであ
る。圧電素子１３０、１４０は、霧化器１００が液体を
取り扱うことからナット１５０、１６０等の部品と共に
防水キャップ１７０、１８０で完全な防水構造になって
いる。2. Description of the Related Art There is a device that sucks up liquid such as water and chemicals by using ultrasonic waves and atomizes the liquid (Actual Kaihei 2-70).
760, 2-66268, 2-70759,
2-40473, 1-163471, etc.). For example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-70759, FIG.
An ultrasonic atomizer as shown in is disclosed. The atomizer 100 includes a shaft body 110 having a liquid suction through hole 120 having an upper end opening 122 and a lower end opening 124, and a plurality of (two in the figure) vibrators are provided outside the shaft body 110. The ring-shaped piezoelectric elements 130 and 140 are attached to the nut 150,
It is fastened with 160 and integrated with the shaft body 110. Since the atomizer 100 handles liquid, the piezoelectric elements 130 and 140 have a completely waterproof structure with parts such as nuts 150 and 160 and waterproof caps 170 and 180.

【０００３】この種の霧化器１００では、圧電素子１３
０、１４０に通電し、超音波振動を発生させることによ
り、軸体１１０が上下に微振動し、微動に連れて軸体１
１０の下端開口１２４から液体が吸引され、上端開口１
２２から霧状に放出される。当該霧化器は、従来の超音
波加湿器等において通常行われていたポンプを用いて振
動子に水を供給する方式とは異なり、ポンプの代わりに
軸体１１０を用い、軸体を縦貫する孔１２０を流路とし
て利用し、この軸体１１０に圧電素子１３０、１４０に
よって超音波ポンプの作用を行わせるものである。In this type of atomizer 100, the piezoelectric element 13
0 and 140 are energized to generate ultrasonic vibrations, so that the shaft body 110 slightly vibrates up and down, and the shaft body 1 is finely moved.
The liquid is sucked from the lower end opening 124 of the
It is emitted from 22 in the form of mist. The atomizer uses a shaft body 110 instead of the pump and penetrates the shaft body in a longitudinal direction, unlike a method of supplying water to the vibrator by using a pump that is usually used in a conventional ultrasonic humidifier or the like. The hole 120 is used as a flow path and the shaft 110 is caused to function as an ultrasonic pump by the piezoelectric elements 130 and 140.

【０００４】[0004]

【考案が解決しようとする課題】本願考案者は、この霧
化器の超音波ポンプの特徴に着目し、これを吸入器に応
用できないかと考え、貫通孔１２０を有する軸体１１０
に振動子１３０、１４０を取り付けた図５の如き機構を
備えた新規な吸入器を試作した。しかしながら、図５に
開示の如き構造では、振動子１３０、１４０やナット１
５０、１６０等の部品が防水キャップ１７０、１８０で
覆われた様態であり、キャップで全体を覆い隠すため、
霧状粒子を発生する機構が大型になってしまう。The inventor of the present application pays attention to the characteristics of the ultrasonic pump of the atomizer, and wonders if it can be applied to an inhaler. Therefore, the shaft body 110 having the through hole 120 is formed.
A new inhaler having the mechanism as shown in FIG. However, in the structure as disclosed in FIG. 5, the vibrators 130 and 140 and the nut 1 are
Since parts such as 50 and 160 are covered with waterproof caps 170 and 180, and the cap covers the whole,
The mechanism for generating atomized particles becomes large.

【０００５】周知のように、吸入器は鼻腔や口腔等の治
療を目的とするため、どこででも使用可能なように携帯
できる方が使い勝手がよい。そのためには、吸入器を可
及的に小型化することが望ましいが、キャップ等で全体
を覆うような防水機構は小規模化し難い。従って、本考
案の目的は、吸入器を一層小型化することのできる防水
機構を有する新規な吸入器を提供することにある。As is well known, since the inhaler is intended for treating the nasal cavity, oral cavity, etc., it is convenient to carry it so that it can be used anywhere. For that purpose, it is desirable to make the inhaler as small as possible, but it is difficult to reduce the size of a waterproof mechanism that covers the whole inhaler. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new inhaler having a waterproof mechanism that can further reduce the size of the inhaler.

【０００６】[0006]

【課題を解決するための手段】前記目的は、下端及び上
端に開口する液体吸い上げ用貫通孔を軸方向に有する軸
体に環状振動子を取り付けた超音波ポンプを備え、該ポ
ンプを本体ハウジングに、該ハウジングと振動子との
間、又は該ハウジングと軸体との間に防水部材を介在さ
せて固定したことを特徴とする超音波吸入器により達成
される。The object is to provide an ultrasonic pump in which a ring-shaped oscillator is attached to a shaft body having through holes for sucking liquid, which are opened at the lower end and the upper end in the axial direction, and the pump is installed in a main body housing. The ultrasonic inhaler is characterized in that a waterproof member is interposed and fixed between the housing and the vibrator or between the housing and the shaft body.

【０００７】本考案の吸入器は、本体ハウジングと振動
子との間、又は該ハウジングと軸体との間に防水部材を
介在させてあるから、従来のような防水キャップ等は用
いなくても防水機能を霧状発生機構に持たせることがで
き、延いては吸入器を縮小化できる。しかして本考案に
おいて使用する防水部材としては、本体ハウジングと振
動子との間、又は該ハウジングと軸体との間の気密性を
維持できる限り特定はないが、以下の実施例にも開示し
てあるようにＯリングを用いるのが簡便であり、しかも
気密性が良好である。Since the inhaler of the present invention has the waterproof member interposed between the main body housing and the vibrator or between the housing and the shaft, the conventional waterproof cap or the like is not used. The mist generating mechanism can be provided with a waterproof function, and the inhaler can be downsized. The waterproof member used in the present invention is not specified as long as it can maintain the airtightness between the main body housing and the vibrator, or between the housing and the shaft body. As described above, it is easy to use an O-ring and the airtightness is good.

【０００８】更に本考案の吸入器は、従来の超音波霧化
器と同様に液体が軸体内の流路を上昇し、軸体の上端開
口から霧状化されて放出されるが、軸体の上端開口を出
た霧径は精々５０〜３００μｍ程度であり、吸入器とし
て例えば体内の奥深い患部まで薬液等を到達させて治癒
効果を高めるには、霧径を少なくとも１０μｍ以下にす
るのが好ましい。それには、軸体の上端開口を含む上端
面に多数の微小孔を有するメッシュ部材を設けると好都
合である。メッシュ部材を取り付けた場合、軸体の上端
面の微振動と共に当該メッシュ部材も振動し、軸体の上
端面とメッシュ部材との間に形成された水膜は振動によ
りメッシュ部材の上方に押し出される。その際、水膜は
メッシュ部材の微小孔を通過するため微粒子になる。Further, in the inhaler of the present invention, the liquid ascends through the flow path in the shaft body and is atomized and discharged from the upper end opening of the shaft body as in the conventional ultrasonic atomizer. The mist diameter exiting from the upper end opening is at most about 50 to 300 μm, and it is preferable to set the mist diameter to at least 10 μm or less in order to reach a deep affected part in the body as a inhaler to enhance the healing effect. . For that purpose, it is convenient to provide a mesh member having a large number of minute holes on the upper end surface including the upper end opening of the shaft body. When the mesh member is attached, the mesh member also vibrates along with the slight vibration of the upper end surface of the shaft body, and the water film formed between the upper end surface of the shaft body and the mesh member is pushed out above the mesh member by the vibration. . At that time, the water film passes through the fine pores of the mesh member and becomes fine particles.

【０００９】使用するメッシュ部材は、多数の微小孔を
有し、軸体内の貫通孔を経た液体が最終的にメッシュ部
材の外方に放出される時の微粒子の径が少なくとも１０
μｍ以下になる限り、その形状や材質に制限はない。メ
ッシュ部材に形成する微小孔の形状は、円形、楕円形、
矩形、三角形等、液体が微粒子で発散されればよいが、
隣接する孔との間隔を一定にしてメッシュ部材中に孔を
一様に散在させるには一般的に円形が最適である。The mesh member used has a large number of micropores, and the diameter of the fine particles when the liquid having passed through the through holes in the shaft is finally discharged to the outside of the mesh member is at least 10.
There is no limitation on the shape or material as long as it is not more than μm. The shape of the micropores formed in the mesh member is circular, elliptical,
The liquid may be dispersed in the form of particles, such as a rectangle or triangle,
The circular shape is generally the most suitable for uniformly dispersing the holes in the mesh member while keeping the distance between the adjacent holes constant.

【００１０】微小孔の径は、例えば孔の形状が円形の場
合、５〜３０μｍ程度、好適には８〜１５μｍ程度、特
には１０μｍ程度が好ましい。孔間のピッチは、円形状
孔においては上記孔径にも依るが、３０〜２００μｍ程
度、好ましくは５０〜１００μｍ程度、特に８０μｍ程
度が好ましい。又、微小孔の数は、メッシュ部材の孔形
成領域が軸体の上端開口を含む上端面を覆えば十分であ
り、一例を挙げると軸体の貫通孔の径が５００μｍ程度
である場合で、ピッチ８０μｍ程度且つ孔径１０μｍで
は数万個程度になる。The diameter of the fine pores is, for example, about 5 to 30 μm, preferably about 8 to 15 μm, particularly about 10 μm when the shape of the pores is circular. The pitch between the holes is about 30 to 200 μm, preferably about 50 to 100 μm, and particularly preferably about 80 μm, although it depends on the hole diameter in the circular hole. Further, the number of minute holes is sufficient if the hole forming region of the mesh member covers the upper end surface including the upper end opening of the shaft body. As an example, when the diameter of the through hole of the shaft body is about 500 μm, With a pitch of about 80 μm and a hole diameter of 10 μm, the number is about tens of thousands.

【００１１】メッシュ部材の肉厚は、余り厚いと軸体の
振動に伴って振動し難くなるので、１０〜３００μｍ程
度、好ましくは３０〜１００μｍ程度、特に５０μｍ程
度が好適である。これら貫通孔の径、ピッチ、数、肉厚
は、意図する液体の微粒子径に応じて適宜変更すればよ
い。If the thickness of the mesh member is too thick, it is difficult for the mesh member to vibrate due to the vibration of the shaft body. Therefore, the thickness is preferably about 10 to 300 μm, preferably about 30 to 100 μm, and particularly about 50 μm. The diameter, pitch, number, and wall thickness of these through holes may be appropriately changed according to the intended particle diameter of the liquid.

【００１２】メッシュ部材の材質は、これも特に限定は
ないが、液体を振動によって微粒子化する役目を担うこ
とや、使用する液体に対する耐腐食性、人体への無害性
等から、ステンレス、ニッケル、チタン等からなる金属
薄板やセラミック、プラスチック等からなるフィルム等
が例示される。The material of the mesh member is not particularly limited either, but stainless steel, nickel, and the like are taken from the role of making the liquid into fine particles by vibration, the corrosion resistance to the liquid used, the harm to the human body, etc. Examples thereof include a thin metal plate made of titanium or the like, a film made of ceramic, plastic or the like.

【００１３】[0013]

【実施例】以下、本考案の超音波吸入器を実施例に基づ
いて詳説する。図１はハンディータイプの一実施例の断
面を示す。本実施例の吸入器は、本体ケース１０内に電
源、電子回路基板、スイッチ等の電気関係部品が収納さ
れ、衛生キャップ３０で覆われた部分に液体を微粒子化
する機構が組み込まれている。EXAMPLES The ultrasonic inhaler of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. FIG. 1 shows a cross section of one embodiment of a handy type. The inhaler of the present embodiment has a main body case 10 in which electrical parts such as a power source, an electronic circuit board, and a switch are housed, and a mechanism for atomizing the liquid is incorporated in the portion covered with the sanitary cap 30.

【００１４】本体ケース１０の下部は、例えば電源とし
て通常の乾電池１４を入れる電池収納部１２を構成し、
乾電池１４は電池カバー１６を着脱することで出入でき
るようになっている。電池収納部１２の上方には各種電
子素子を搭載した電子回路基板１８が螺子２０によって
本体ケース１０に固定されている。当該回路は、主に液
体の微粒子化に際し、後述の振動子を発振させるために
超音波を発生させる作用を担う。なお、当該回路構成は
従来の超音波霧化器と同様であり、ここでは省くことに
する。回路の作動はケース１０の側壁に設けた動作スイ
ッチ２２により行い、スイッチ２２は保護部材２４で覆
われている。動作スイッチ２２を押している間の回路動
作中は動作表示ＬＥＤ２６が点灯し、動作中でない時は
ＬＥＤ２６は消灯している。The lower portion of the main body case 10 constitutes a battery housing portion 12 into which a normal dry battery 14 is inserted as a power source,
The dry battery 14 can be put in and out by attaching and detaching the battery cover 16. An electronic circuit board 18 on which various electronic elements are mounted is fixed to the main body case 10 with screws 20 above the battery housing portion 12. The circuit has a function of generating ultrasonic waves to oscillate a vibrator, which will be described later, mainly when the liquid is made into fine particles. Since the circuit configuration is the same as that of the conventional ultrasonic atomizer, it is omitted here. The operation of the circuit is performed by an operation switch 22 provided on the side wall of the case 10, and the switch 22 is covered with a protective member 24. The operation display LED 26 is lit while the circuit is operating while the operation switch 22 is being pressed, and the LED 26 is off when the circuit is not operating.

【００１５】本体ケース１０に着脱自在の衛生キャップ
３０で防護された部分には、微粒子発生機構が収められ
ている。この機構は、基本的には従来技術と同様であ
る。本例においては、本体ケース１０に連続する本体ハ
ウジング１１に形成した円筒状壁１１ａ内に挿通する態
様で軸体４０を備える。軸体４０は、これを縦貫する貫
通孔（図示せず）を有し、これにより上端開口から下端
開口に至る流路を形成する。軸体４０は、ほぼ中央部に
取り付けた振動子７０を堺にして、上部が霧化ホーン４
２を、下部が吸水ホーン４４を構成する。A fine particle generating mechanism is housed in a portion protected by a detachable sanitary cap 30 on the main body case 10. This mechanism is basically the same as the prior art. In this example, the shaft body 40 is provided so as to be inserted into the cylindrical wall 11a formed in the main body housing 11 continuous with the main body case 10. The shaft body 40 has a through hole (not shown) extending vertically through the shaft body 40, thereby forming a flow path from the upper end opening to the lower end opening. The shaft body 40 uses the vibrator 70 attached at the substantially central portion as a sakai, and the upper part thereof is the atomization horn 4.
2, the lower part constitutes a water absorption horn 44.

【００１６】軸体４０の上端開口を含む上端面には、吸
入器としての効果を高めるために多数の微小孔を有する
メッシュ部材５０がメッシュ部材押えカバー６０によっ
て固定されている。このメッシュ部材自体の説明は後述
する。メッシュ部材押えカバー６０は本体ハウジング１
１の円筒状壁１１ａに螺合されている。軸体４０のほぼ
中央部には圧電素子等の環状振動子７０が嵌挿され、振
動子７０はその上下両側にワッシャ等のフランジ部材７
２、７４を介在させた上でナット８０、８２によって軸
体４０に一体に固定されている。振動子７０は振動子押
えカバー８４で支持され、更にカバー８４は螺子８６、
８８によって本体ハウジング１１に堅固に固定されてい
る。ここに振動子７０を防水構造とするために、フラン
ジ部材７２と円筒状壁１１ａの端縁との間、フランジ部
材７４と振動子押えカバー８４との間は、それぞれ気密
性を確保するための防水部材としてＯリング９０、９２
が設けられている。On the upper end surface of the shaft body 40 including the upper end opening, a mesh member 50 having a large number of minute holes is fixed by a mesh member pressing cover 60 in order to enhance the effect as an inhaler. The mesh member itself will be described later. The mesh member pressing cover 60 is the main body housing 1
It is screwed onto one cylindrical wall 11a. A ring-shaped vibrator 70 such as a piezoelectric element is fitted and inserted in the substantially central portion of the shaft body 40, and the vibrator 70 has a flange member 7 such as a washer on both upper and lower sides thereof.
After interposing 2, 74, they are integrally fixed to the shaft body 40 by nuts 80, 82. The vibrator 70 is supported by a vibrator pressing cover 84, and the cover 84 has screws 86,
It is firmly fixed to the main body housing 11 by 88. In order to make the vibrator 70 have a waterproof structure, a space between the flange member 72 and the edge of the cylindrical wall 11a and a space between the flange member 74 and the vibrator pressing cover 84 are provided to ensure airtightness. O-rings 90 and 92 as waterproof members
Is provided.

【００１７】このような防水機構は、振動子７０、フラ
ンジ部材７２、７４、及びナット８０、８２等の部品全
体を防水キャップ等で覆うような構造とは異なり、振動
子７０の上下両側に設けたフランジ部材７２、７４と本
体ハウジング１１及び振動子押えカバー８４との間にＯ
リング９０、９２を介在させるものであり、振動子の防
水構造を簡略化でき、防水性も良好である。Such a waterproof mechanism is provided on both upper and lower sides of the vibrator 70 unlike a structure in which the entire parts such as the vibrator 70, the flange members 72 and 74, and the nuts 80 and 82 are covered with a waterproof cap or the like. Between the flange members 72 and 74 and the main body housing 11 and the vibrator pressing cover 84.
Since the rings 90 and 92 are interposed, the waterproof structure of the vibrator can be simplified and the waterproof property is also good.

【００１８】微粒子発生機構の下部は水や薬液等の液体
を入れたボトル９４が配置され、ボトル９４内の液体に
軸体４０の吸水ホーン４４が浸るようになっている。ボ
トル９４は着脱可能であり、液の補充や交換は容易であ
る。ボトル９４を本体ケース１０に取り付けた時にボト
ル内の液体が溢れないようボトルの上部に当接する振動
子押えカバー８４の部位に気密Ｏリング９６が設けられ
ている。A bottle 94 containing a liquid such as water or a chemical liquid is arranged below the fine particle generating mechanism, and the water absorption horn 44 of the shaft body 40 is immersed in the liquid in the bottle 94. The bottle 94 is detachable, and the liquid can be easily replenished or replaced. An airtight O-ring 96 is provided at the portion of the vibrator pressing cover 84 that comes into contact with the upper part of the bottle so that the liquid in the bottle does not overflow when the bottle 94 is attached to the main body case 10.

【００１９】軸体４０の上端開口を含む上端面に取り付
けたメッシュ部材の平面図を図２に示す。メッシュ部材
５０は多数の微小孔５２を有し、メッシュ部材押えカバ
ー６０の裏側に取り付けられ（図１参照）、カバー６０
の中央に形成した円形孔からメッシュ部材５０が露出し
ている。メッシュ部材５０は、その微小孔５２が軸体４
０の上端開口を含む上端面上に位置するようカバー６０
に設けた突片６２によって上端面上に当接される。この
突片６２は不可欠ではないが、メッシュ部材５０と上端
面との間の隙間が大きいと、メッシュ部材５０が軸体４
０と共に微振動し難くなり、液体を微粒子化し難くなる
ので、できるだけ隙間が小さくなるよう突片６２によっ
てメッシュ部材５０を上端面に軽く押圧するのが好まし
い。A plan view of the mesh member attached to the upper end surface of the shaft body 40 including the upper end opening is shown in FIG. The mesh member 50 has a large number of minute holes 52 and is attached to the back side of the mesh member pressing cover 60 (see FIG. 1).
The mesh member 50 is exposed through a circular hole formed in the center of the mesh member. In the mesh member 50, the micropores 52 have the shaft body 4
Cover 60 so that it is located on the upper end surface including the upper end opening of 0.
It is abutted on the upper end surface by the protruding piece 62 provided at. Although the projecting piece 62 is not essential, if the gap between the mesh member 50 and the upper end surface is large, the mesh member 50 will not move.
Since it becomes difficult to vibrate slightly with 0, and it becomes difficult to atomize the liquid, it is preferable to lightly press the mesh member 50 against the upper end surface by the projecting piece 62 so as to minimize the gap.

【００２０】かかる構造の吸入器において、振動子７０
が超音波発振すると、軸体４０も微動する。軸体４０の
振動に伴って吸水ホーン４４から液体が吸い上げられ、
液体は軸体４０内の流路を上昇し、霧化ホーン４２まで
給水される。更に、液体は霧化ホーン４２の上端面とメ
ッシュ部材５０との間隙で水膜に形成され、水膜はその
振動によりメッシュ部材５０の上方に押し出されること
になる。水膜がメッシュ部材５０の微小孔５２を通過す
る時、メッシュ部材５０も軸体４０と共に微振動してい
るため、水膜は更に少なくとも１０μｍ以下の微粒子に
粉砕され、メッシュ部材５０の上方に放出される。In the inhaler having the above structure, the vibrator 70
When the ultrasonic wave oscillates, the shaft body 40 also slightly moves. As the shaft 40 vibrates, the liquid is sucked up from the water absorption horn 44,
The liquid rises in the flow path in the shaft body 40 and is supplied to the atomizing horn 42. Further, the liquid is formed into a water film in the gap between the upper end surface of the atomizing horn 42 and the mesh member 50, and the water film is pushed out above the mesh member 50 by its vibration. When the water film passes through the minute holes 52 of the mesh member 50, since the mesh member 50 also vibrates slightly with the shaft body 40, the water film is further pulverized into fine particles of at least 10 μm or less and discharged above the mesh member 50. To be done.

【００２１】上記実施例はハンディータイプのものであ
るが、次に置型タイプのものを図３に示す。但し、図面
にはハンディータイプのものとほぼ同一作用を行う部品
については同一符号を付すことにする。当該置型タイプ
の吸入器は、その上部に微粒子発生機構を、下部に電気
関連部品を配した構造であり、置型である以外は前記ハ
ンディータイプのものと防水機構等の基本構成や作用効
果は同等である。The above embodiment is of the handy type, and next, the stationary type is shown in FIG. However, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the parts that perform almost the same operations as those of the handy type. The stationary type inhaler has a structure in which a fine particle generating mechanism is arranged on the upper part and electrical related parts are arranged on the lower part, and the basic structure and operation effects of the waterproof mechanism etc. are the same as those of the handy type inhaler except the stationary type. Is.

【００２２】上述のハンディータイプ及び置型タイプの
吸入器における防水構造は、いずれも本体ハウジング
（振動子押えカバーを含む）と振動子との間に防水部材
を介在させた例であるが、本体ハウジングと軸体との間
に防水部材を介在させた防水構造を図４に示す。但し、
図４では吸入器のその他の構造は前記実施例のものと同
一であり、又図４の防水構造は上下対称であるため、上
半分のみを示す。The above-mentioned waterproof structure of the handheld type and the stationary type inhaler is an example in which a waterproof member is interposed between the main body housing (including the vibrator pressing cover) and the vibrator. FIG. 4 shows a waterproof structure in which a waterproof member is interposed between the shaft and the shaft. However,
In FIG. 4, the other structure of the inhaler is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and since the waterproof structure of FIG. 4 is vertically symmetrical, only the upper half is shown.

【００２３】図からも分るように、本体ハウジング１１
の円筒状壁１１ａ内に挿通された軸体４０の霧化ホーン
４２は、上端開口を含む上端部がフランジ状を呈し、上
端面にはメッシュ部材５０がメッシュ部材押えカバー６
０によって固定されている。軸体４０の中央には、振動
子７０がフランジ部材７２を介してナット８０により取
り付けられている。As can be seen from the figure, the main body housing 11
The atomizing horn 42 of the shaft body 40 inserted in the cylindrical wall 11a of the shaft has a flange shape at the upper end portion including the upper end opening, and the mesh member 50 is provided at the upper end surface with the mesh member pressing cover 6
It is fixed by 0. A vibrator 70 is attached to the center of the shaft body 40 with a nut 80 via a flange member 72.

【００２４】本実施例における防水構造は、円筒状壁１
１ａに周設したリング状突起１１ｂを利用して、霧化ホ
ーン４２と円筒状壁１１ａの内周壁との間にＯリング９
０を設けたものである。勿論、図４には示していない
が、軸体４０の下方も同様の構造である。又、軸体４０
と振動子７０とからなる超音波ポンプを本体ハウジング
１１内に挿設し易くするために、通常は本体ハウジング
１１は上下に二分されており、上下のハウジングは常套
手段にて気密性良好に接合されている。The waterproof structure according to this embodiment has a cylindrical wall 1
The O-ring 9 is provided between the atomizing horn 42 and the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical wall 11a by utilizing the ring-shaped protrusion 11b provided around the lamina 1a.
0 is provided. Of course, although not shown in FIG. 4, the same structure is provided below the shaft body 40. Also, the shaft 40
The main body housing 11 is usually divided into upper and lower parts in order to facilitate insertion of the ultrasonic pump including the vibrator 70 into the main body housing 11. Has been done.

【００２５】本例の防水構造も、防水キャップ等を使用
するものではなく、構造が簡単にして気密性も十分であ
る。The waterproof structure of this embodiment does not use a waterproof cap or the like, and the structure is simple and the airtightness is sufficient.

【００２６】[0026]

【考案の効果】本考案の超音波吸入器は、以上説明した
ように本体ハウジングに超音波ポンプを、該ハウジング
と振動子との間、又は該ハウジングと軸体との間に防水
部材を介在させて固定したから、振動子の防水構造を単
純化でき、一層小型の吸入器を提供できる。As described above, the ultrasonic inhaler of the present invention includes the ultrasonic pump in the main body housing, and the waterproof member interposed between the housing and the vibrator or between the housing and the shaft. Since this is fixed, the waterproof structure of the vibrator can be simplified and a smaller inhaler can be provided.

【００２７】更に、軸体の上端開口を含む上端面に多数
の微小孔を有するメッシュ部材を設ければ、従来の超音
波霧化器で得られていた液体の霧状粒子径よりも更に小
さい微粒子径（少なくとも１０μｍ以下）となり、吸入
器としての効果が増すことになる。その上、メッシュ部
材を有する吸入器では、メッシュ部材に形成する微小孔
の径寸法を適宜変更することにより、意図する粒子径を
容易に得ることができるだけでなく、液体（例えば薬液
等）の使用による微小孔の目詰まりが生じてもメッシュ
部材（通常はメッシュ部材押えカバーと一体化してあ
る）を交換するだけで、使用者がメンテナンスを簡単に
できるという利点が得られる。Further, if a mesh member having a large number of fine holes is provided on the upper end surface including the upper end opening of the shaft body, the diameter of the atomized particles of the liquid obtained by the conventional ultrasonic atomizer is smaller. The particle size is at least 10 μm or less, and the effect as an inhaler is increased. Moreover, in the case of an inhaler having a mesh member, not only the intended particle size can be easily obtained by appropriately changing the diameter of the micropores formed in the mesh member, but also the use of a liquid (for example, a chemical solution). Even if the minute holes are clogged due to the above, there is an advantage that the user can easily perform maintenance simply by replacing the mesh member (which is usually integrated with the mesh member pressing cover).

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図１】本考案の吸入器のハンディータイプの一例を示
す断面図である。FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of a handy type of the inhaler of the present invention.

【図２】軸体の上端面に取り付けるメッシュ部材の平面
図である。FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mesh member attached to an upper end surface of a shaft body.

【図３】本考案の吸入器の置型タイプの一例を示す断面
図である。FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of a stationary type of the inhaler of the present invention.

【図４】本考案の吸入器における別の防水構造を示す一
部省略断面図である。FIG. 4 is a partially omitted sectional view showing another waterproof structure in the inhaler of the present invention.

【図５】従来の超音波霧化器の一部破断断面図である。FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway sectional view of a conventional ultrasonic atomizer.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１１ 本体ハウジング ４０ 軸体 ５０ メッシュ部材 ５２ 微小孔 ６０ メッシュ部材押えカバー ７０ 振動子 ７２・７４ フランジ部材 ９０・９２ Ｏリング 11 Main body housing 40 Shaft body 50 Mesh member 52 Micropore 60 Mesh member pressing cover 70 Transducer 72/74 Flange member 90/92 O-ring

Claims (2)

【実用新案登録請求の範囲】[Scope of utility model registration request] 【請求項１】下端及び上端に開口する液体吸い上げ用貫
通孔を軸方向に有する軸体に環状振動子を取り付けた超
音波ポンプを備え、該ポンプを本体ハウジングに、該ハ
ウジングと振動子との間、又は該ハウジングと軸体との
間に防水部材を介在させて固定したことを特徴とする超
音波吸入器。1. An ultrasonic pump having an annular vibrator attached to a shaft body having through holes for sucking liquid, which are opened at a lower end and an upper end, in an axial direction, the pump being provided in a main body housing, and the housing and the vibrator. An ultrasonic inhaler characterized in that a waterproof member is interposed between the housing and the shaft body and fixed. 【請求項２】軸体の上端開口を含む上端面に多数の微小
孔を有するメッシュ部材を設けたことを特徴とする請求
項１記載の超音波吸入器。2. The ultrasonic inhaler according to claim 1, wherein a mesh member having a large number of minute holes is provided on an upper end surface including an upper end opening of the shaft body.