JP4947360B2 - Atomizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an atomizing device that vibrates a piezoelectric element and atomizes a liquid at a vibrating portion. In particular, the present invention relates to an atomization device that utilizes the surface tension of a liquid.

An ultrasonic humidifier that generates fog using an ultrasonic vibrator has been put into practical use.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a method as an example of generating (misting) mist from water by ultrasonic waves using a vibrator.
The piezoelectric vibrator 100 includes a piezoelectric element 101, a vibrating part 102, and a fixed part (or base part) 103. The piezoelectric element 101 and the vibration part 102 are connected via a fixed part 103.
In the illustrated example, the vibration unit 102 includes a curved portion 102A having a curved cross section and a cylindrical portion 102B having a flat cross section. When the front end surface 102F of the columnar part 102B is viewed from the Y direction, the shape of the columnar part 102B is a circle having a constant cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional shape of the curved part 102A is from the fixed part 103 toward the columnar part 102B. A circle whose cross-sectional area decreases.
The piezoelectric element 101 is, for example, PZT, and when the excitation voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 101, the vibration unit 102 is expanded and contracted in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 at the natural frequency of the vibrator.

  In order to provide water for atomization to the tip surface 102F of the columnar portion 102B of the vibrating portion 102, a cylindrical water supply cotton 150 is in contact with the lower portion of the tip surface 102F (see Patent Document 1). . The bottom part of the water supply cotton 150 is immersed in a water storage part (not shown), and the water W is sucked up to the top surface of the water supply cotton 150 by the capillary action of the cotton. The water W sucked up on the top of the water supply cotton 150 is caused to vibrate along the surface of the front end surface 102F of the cylindrical portion 102B by the vibration of the cylindrical portion 102B of the vibrating portion 102 accompanying excitation of the piezoelectric vibrator 100. Further, the water W that has risen and adheres to the surface of the tip surface 102F of the cylindrical portion 102B is atomized by the high-speed vibration in the direction indicated by the arrow A2 of the cylindrical portion 102B accompanying the high-speed vibration of the vibrating portion 102, and the arrow Injected in 160 direction.

Devices such as an ultrasonic atomizer, an ultrasonic agitator, and an ultrasonic cleaner manufactured according to the above-described atomization method have been put into practical use.
Utility Model Registration No. 2,544,634

In an atomizing apparatus that guides water to be atomized to the tip surface 102F of the cylindrical portion 102B of the vibrating portion 102 by the water supply cotton 150 utilizing capillary action, a vibrating portion that vibrates at high speed when continuously operated for a long period of time. The water supply cotton 150 in contact with the cylindrical portion 102B of 102 is worn and / or deformed, and the contact between the cylindrical portion 102B and the water supply cotton 150 is reduced, and the cylindrical portion 102B by the water supply cotton 150 is reduced. The water supply to the surface of the front end surface 102F is reduced. As a result, the amount of fog generated by the vibration unit 102 decreases, that is, the atomization performance decreases.
Further, when the water supply cotton 150 is further worn and / or deformed and the contact between the cylindrical portion 102B and the water supply cotton 150 is completely eliminated, the water supply cotton 150 is applied to the surface of the tip surface 102F of the cylindrical portion 102B. Water supply stops and generation of fog due to atomization stops.
From the above, it is necessary to replace the water supply cotton 150 at an appropriate timing according to the wear and / or deformation of the water supply cotton 150.

  Therefore, there is a demand for an atomizing device that can stably atomize a liquid without replacement (maintenance-free) of a member used for the atomizing device even if it is continuously operated for a long time or for a long time. ing.

  In the atomization apparatus of the present invention, atomization is enabled without using a member that wears / deforms, such as the water supply cotton 150 described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in the present invention, the liquid to be atomized is automatically provided to the tip surface of the vibration part of the piezoelectric vibrator by the surface tension using a structure that causes the surface tension of the liquid.

According to the present invention, the container includes a container that stores a liquid to be atomized, a piezoelectric element, and a vibration part connected to the piezoelectric element, and a tip end surface of the vibration part is disposed inside the container. A piezoelectric vibrator attached to the container, a liquid level maintaining means for regulating the liquid level so that the liquid is guided to a tip surface of the vibrating part by surface tension, and A surface tension auxiliary member provided in the vicinity of the front end surface, immersed in the liquid and guiding the liquid to the front end surface of the vibration unit by surface tension in cooperation with the vibration unit ;
Opposing surfaces of the vibrating part and the surface tension auxiliary member are parallel.
An atomization device is provided.
In the present invention, “liquid level” means the height of the liquid surface. To define the liquid level is to determine the maximum height of the liquid level.
In the above atomizing device, the surface tension auxiliary member is provided in the vicinity of the front end surface. The vicinity of the front end surface means that the surface tension auxiliary member does not come into contact with the front end surface and the vibration unit of the vibration unit, cooperates with the vibration unit, and allows the liquid to be guided to the front end surface. It means having between. This distance is determined according to factors affecting the magnitude of the surface tension, such as the liquid to be atomized, the positional relationship between the vibration part and the surface tension auxiliary member, and the surface roughness of the vibration part and the surface tension auxiliary member. .

Preferably, the liquid level maintaining means is a bottom of an opening provided on a wall surface forming the container facing the tip surface of the vibrating part.
Here, the “opening” means an open surface with a predetermined area that forms a predetermined through space on the wall surface, and includes a notch structure.

Preferably, opposing surfaces of the vibrating portion and the surface tension auxiliary member are parallel to each other.
Here, “facing” means facing each other, and includes cases where they are not parallel.
Alternatively, preferably, the atomizing device includes the surface tension assisting member having a surface facing the side surface of the vibration part, and an interval between the side surface of the vibration part and the surface of the surface tension assisting member is It becomes narrower toward the tip surface side of the vibration part.
Here, the “side surface” is a surface adjacent to the front end surface in the vibration part. For example, if the tip surface is rectangular, the side surfaces are four adjacent surfaces. Moreover, if a front end surface is circular, a side surface will become a continuous circumferential surface. The surface tension assisting member is provided at a position and a height so as to generate surface tension in cooperation with these side surfaces.

Preferably, the atomizing device includes the surface tension assisting member having a surface facing a side surface of the vibrating portion, and the surface tension assisting member is configured so that the surface of the surface tension assisting member is perpendicular to the tip end surface. In the projection shape projected on the projection plane defined in the vertical direction of the first, the amount of projection in the horizontal direction from the perpendicular passing through the lower end of the tip surface of the projection shape increases from the lower end of the tip surface downward. It has a shape change part.
Here, the “projection plane defined by the vertical direction and the vertical direction of the tip surface” means a projection surface whose direction is determined by including two directions of the vertical direction and the vertical direction of the tip surface.
Further, the “projection amount” is an amount by which the surface tension auxiliary member protrudes from the front end surface. Here, the projection amount is defined by the horizontal size (dimension) from the perpendicular passing through the lower end of the tip surface in the projection shape in which the surface of the surface tension assisting member facing the side surface of the vibration part is projected onto the projection surface. Is done.

Preferably, the atomizing device includes the surface tension assisting member having a surface facing a side surface of the vibrating portion, and the surface tension assisting member extends the surface of the surface tension assisting member in a vertical direction and the tip. In a projection shape projected on a projection plane defined by the vertical direction of the surface, the amount of projection in the horizontal direction of the projection shape with respect to the tip surface decreases from zero to zero at the top end of the tip surface. It has two shape change parts.
Here, the “projection amount” is the amount by which the surface tension assisting member protrudes from the tip surface, as described above, but here, the surface of the surface tension assisting member that faces the side surface of the vibration part is projected. The projected shape projected onto the surface is defined by the size (dimension) in the horizontal direction from each position of the tip surface.

  Preferably, the atomizing device includes an additional auxiliary member provided in the vicinity of the surface tension auxiliary member, and uses surface tension obtained by cooperation between the surface tension auxiliary member immersed in the liquid and the additional auxiliary member. The liquid is guided to the tip surface of the vibration part.

  Preferably, the atomizing device includes the surface tension assisting member provided between a bottom of the opening of the container and the tip end surface of the vibrating part, and the height of the surface tension assisting member is It is higher than the bottom of the opening and less than the upper end of the tip surface, and the width of the surface tension auxiliary member is not less than the width of the tip and not more than the width of the bottom of the opening.

  As a preferred first form, the surface tension assisting member provided between the bottom of the opening of the container and the tip surface of the vibrating part is higher than the bottom of the opening, and the vibrating part It is less than the height at which the liquid adheres to the entire tip surface.

  Preferably, in the atomization apparatus, a plurality of the surface tension auxiliary members are provided with the vibration part sandwiched between the side surfaces of the vibration part.

  Preferably, the container has a through-hole through which the vibrating portion passes, and an interval between an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole and the vibrating portion arranged in the through-hole is set so that the through-hole and the vibrating portion are Make it small so that it does not touch.

  Preferably, the container has a through-hole through which the vibration part passes, and at least a part of a corner formed by an inner wall of the container located at a lower part of the vibration part and an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole is chamfered. Is done.

  Preferably, the atomizing device is provided with a water repellent surface treatment or a water repellent surface member at the bottom of the opening.

In the atomization apparatus of the present invention, the liquid to be atomized is directly guided to the tip surface of the vibration part without using a member that wears / deforms like the water supply cotton described above. Even if the atomizer is operated continuously for a long time or for a long period of time, it is not necessary to replace consumable members and maintenance is almost unnecessary (maintenance-free).
In addition, since the atomizing device of the present invention does not have a maintenance / replacement member, it does not require a space for allowing replacement of parts around the atomizing device, and can be disposed at an arbitrary position and is compactly configured. be able to.
Furthermore, the atomizing device of the present invention guides the liquid to the tip surface by the surface tension by the liquid level maintaining means and the surface tension by the cooperation of the surface tension assisting member and the vibration part. In this way, a plurality of surface tensions are generated, and the liquid is supplied to the front end surface and the liquid is held on the front end surface by the surface tension. Further, when the atomizer is tilted, another surface tension can be continuously generated even if one surface tension is not generated. As a result, the liquid can be stably attached to the tip surface, and thus stable atomization is possible.
In addition, an atomization apparatus can be made into a simple structure by making a liquid level maintenance means into the opening part provided in the container.

First Embodiment Referring mainly to FIG. 1 (A), the first embodiment of the atomization apparatus of the present invention will be described. For convenience, FIG. 1 (E) will be referred to as a part of the configuration description. Note that the liquid to be atomized will be described as water.
FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of the atomizing device 1 in the first embodiment for explaining the atomization principle in the atomizing device of the present invention.
The atomizing device 1 includes a piezoelectric vibrator 10 and a front wall 20-1 having an upper end 20a that defines a water level WF. In the atomization apparatus 1, an opening 30 is formed in the front wall 20-1 on the upper side as shown in FIG. 1B. Therefore, the upper end 20a of the front wall 20-1 in FIG. Corresponds to the bottom 30 a of the opening 30.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1E, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 includes a piezoelectric element 11, a vibration part 12, and a fixed part (or base part) 13. The piezoelectric element 11 is, for example, PZT.
In the illustrated example of FIG. 1E, the vibrating portion 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is configured as a circular cylinder (conical truncated cone shape) that is curved so that the diameter decreases as the distance from the fixing portion 13 increases. The surface of the surface 12F is formed flat, but in FIG. 1A, a cylindrical shape having the same diameter will be described as an example.
In the piezoelectric vibrator 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1E, the piezoelectric element 11 and the fixing portion 13 are located outside the container 20 with the back wall 20-2 as a reference, and a part of the vibrating portion 12 is a container. It arrange | positions so that it may protrude (extend) inside 20 and is being fixed to the back surface wall 20-2. The fixing portion 13 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is a portion that fixes the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to the back wall 20-2.
The surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 is formed flat, for example, so that the water W spreads and adheres as much as possible due to surface tension.
Further, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached so as to be inclined so that the tip of the vibration part 12 is positioned at an elevation angle.

  Moreover, when the supplied water W is excessive, the front wall 20-1 overflows the water W from its upper end 20a (the bottom 30a of the opening 30; hereinafter the same in the atomizer 1). The water level WF is maintained, and by maintaining the water level WF, the water W can be attached to the tip surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 by the surface tension as described above. The means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1A, and may be a means for controlling the pump device using a water level detection sensor or the like. In such a case, the height of the upper end portion 20a of the front wall 20-1 can be set to a high dimension regardless of the above-described maintenance of the water level WF.

The atomization principle in the atomization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the illustration of FIG. 1A, the liquid to be atomized, for example, water W, contained in the container 20 swells due to surface tension at the upper end 20a of the front wall 20-1, and the tip of the vibration part 12 The water W in contact with the lower end of the surface 12F rips up the flat surface of the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 due to surface tension. As a result, the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12.
In this way, the water W is supplied to (attached to) the flat surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 at the position of the upper end 20a of the front wall 20-1 and the position of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. When the water level WF is selected (adjusted) to maintain the water level WF, for example, the water W to be atomized is removed from the tip of the vibration unit 12 without using the water supply cotton 150 utilizing the capillary phenomenon illustrated in FIG. Even if the supplied water W is excessive, it can overflow from the upper end 20a of the front wall 20-1 and maintain an appropriate water level WF.
Thus, although the upper end part 20a of the front wall 20-1 is a simple structure, it functions as a means to maintain the water level WF for supplying the water W to the front end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 by surface tension.

When the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is excited by an excitation circuit (not shown) in a state where desired water W necessary for atomization is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12, the piezoelectric element 11 responds to its natural frequency. Thus, the vibration unit 12 is vibrated at high speed in the arrow direction A2.
The water W guided (attached) to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 is atomized by the vibration of the vibration unit 12 to be mist (mist) and is blown in the arrow direction A. By continuously generating the atomization, the generated fog can be continuously discharged from the opening 30 to the outside of the container 20. Such atomization is continuously performed as long as the water W adheres to the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. By continuously supplying the water W, the generation of atomization is continued for a long time or for a long time. You can do it.
Moreover, since the upper end part 20a of the front wall 20-1 is the height which maintains the water level WF, it does not inhibit the spraying (scattering) of the produced | generated fog.

The above is the atomization principle of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the accumulated volume of the amount of mist atomized from the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 and the particle diameter of the mist when the liquid to be atomized is water W.
Although depending on the vibration conditions, capability, performance, and ambient humidity of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, when the vibration frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is about 200 KHz, water having a particle diameter (diameter) of about 10 to 20 μm is usually used. It was confirmed that the largest number of grains (mist) was produced. Such mist advances a lot in the forward direction while being along the central axis of the vibration part 12 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. In other words, the mist generated from the particles that are easily atomized has a long reach distance, and in addition, the reach distance can be further increased by inclining the vibration part 12.

In the atomization apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by maintaining the water level WF, an appropriate amount of water W is automatically and appropriately applied to the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by the surface tension of the water W. Since it is provided without interruption, the atomization state is stabilized.
In the present embodiment, for example, as means for providing water W to the vibrating portion 12 such as the water supply cotton 150 illustrated in FIG. 14, wear due to high-speed vibration of the vibrating portion 12 and / or contact with the vibrating portion 12. Or since the member which deteriorates is not used, the replacement | exchange operation | work of such a member becomes unnecessary and the maintenance-free atomization apparatus which does not require a maintenance work fundamentally can be provided.
Furthermore, in the atomization apparatus mentioned above, the space or structure for replacement | exchange work of the cotton 150 for water supply is unnecessary, for example, and an atomization apparatus can be made into a small and simple structure. Furthermore, for example, it is not necessary to secure a space for replacing the water supply cotton 150 around the atomizing device 1, and this is less likely to be restricted at the installation location where the atomizing device 1 is installed. Has the advantage.

The application example of the atomization apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention is illustrated.
In the atomization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the liquid to be atomized is not limited to the water W described above. In the present embodiment, as the liquid to generate mist, various liquids that adhere to the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 due to surface tension and become mist by the vibration of the vibration unit 12, such as water, or In addition to water containing fragrances, liquids such as lotions, liquid chemicals, liquid fertilizers, liquid paints, etc., combustion system liquids such as oil and gasoline are targeted.

For example, when mist is generated from water, the atomizer 1 can be used for a humidifier or the like. As a humidifier, it can also be used for humidification of a living room of a house, or moisturizing fresh food such as vegetables in a refrigerator.
On the other hand, when a mist is generated from water containing a fragrance or lotion for preventing skin roughness, the atomizer 1 is used as an atomizer that generates a mist containing a fragrance or a mist of lotion. be able to.
Moreover, as the atomization apparatus 1 of this Embodiment, a liquid paint can be atomized and an atomized paint can be provided. In such a case, it is preferable to use a liquid paint having a low viscosity. Further, the same applies to the case where a combustion system liquid such as gasoline is atomized as the liquid to be atomized.
Furthermore, the atomization apparatus of this Embodiment can also be used as various apparatuses using an ultrasonic vibration, for example, an ultrasonic atomization apparatus, an ultrasonic stirring apparatus, an ultrasonic cleaner, etc.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (B) to 1 (E).
The atomization apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is 1 A of atomization apparatuses to which the atomization principle of 1st Embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 (A) was applied.
FIG. 1B is a perspective external view of an atomizing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of the atomizing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 1D is a front view showing the arrangement of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 and the surface tension auxiliary members 50, 50 in the atomizing apparatus 1A illustrated in FIG. FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50, and the buffer member 14 illustrated in FIG.
The atomization apparatus 1A of the second embodiment is basically configured to include a box-shaped container 20, a piezoelectric vibrator 10, and a water supply unit 40. The atomizing device 1A further includes an excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the piezoelectric vibrator 10. The same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the container 20 includes a front wall 20-1, a back wall 20-2, a right side wall 20-3, a left side wall 20-4, and an upper wall 20-5. And a bottom wall 20-6.
The front wall 20-1 is provided with an opening 30 through which the water level WF is defined and the atomized mist is discharged from the container 20.
The container 20 can be manufactured with an acrylic material, ABS resin, etc., for example.
The periphery of the opening 30 provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20 is transparent or semi-transparent for visual observation of the fog state, water supply state and / or confirmation of the water level WF. be able to. In that case, the periphery of the opening 30 can be formed of a transparent acrylic material, transparent glass, or the like. Of course, it is not essential that the periphery of the opening 30 is transparent or semi-transparent.
The material of the part except the periphery of the opening part 30 provided in the front wall 20-1 is arbitrary.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1E, a piezoelectric vibrator 10 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1A is fixed to the back wall 20-2. In the illustrated example, the vibrating portion 12 is formed as a circular column (substantially frustoconical shape) that is curved so that the diameter decreases as the distance from the fixed portion 13 decreases. The piezoelectric element 11 is, for example, PZT.
Since the vibration part 12 is in contact with the liquid to be atomized such as water W, the vibration part 12 is formed of a material that is less susceptible to corrosion by the liquid to be atomized and can withstand mechanical vibration, for example, metal, preferably stainless steel. It is desirable. Further, it is desirable that the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 be formed flat so that the liquid to be atomized such as water W can adhere to the surface of the front end surface 12F over a wide range by surface tension.

The attachment state of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1 (E) showing the attachment state of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 (C).
The back wall 20-2 of the container 20 is formed with a recessed portion 20-2a that also serves as a positioning for fixing the piezoelectric vibrator 10, and a buffer member 14 having a sealing function is provided in the recessed portion 20-2a. Accordingly, the fixing portion 13 and the vicinity of the fixing portion 13 of the vibrating portion 12 are accommodated and fixed.
A hole 20-2b through which the vibration unit 12 passes is formed in the back wall 20-2. The hole 20-2b is formed to be somewhat larger than the outer shape of the curved vibration part 12, and prevents the vibration part 12 from contacting the hole 20-2b to change the vibration characteristics of the vibration part 12. Yes.

The buffer member 14 is a member having elasticity enough to be deformed by pressing and waterproof, for example, an O-ring using elastic rubber, rubber packing, or the like.
By pressing when the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed to the back wall 20-2, the buffer member 14 is deformed to seal the gap between the recessed portion 20-2a and the fixing portion 13, and the vibrating portion 12 and the hole 20- A leakage prevention function (sealability) for preventing water W from leaking to the outside of the container 20 from the gap with 2b is obtained. Furthermore, the buffer member 14 also has a function of suppressing the vibration of the vibration unit 12 that vibrates due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element 11 (buffer function or vibration transmission relaxation property). When the buffer member 14 is used, the vibration attenuation of the vibration part 12 is suppressed by the vibration transmission relaxation property, so that the loss of vibration in the vibration part 12 can be reduced and the atomization operation can be performed efficiently. .

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, excess water W that cannot be used for atomization out of the water W supplied from the water supply unit 40 overflows from the bottom (bottom side) 30 a of the opening 30 and flows out of the container 20. As a result, even if excess water is replenished from the water replenishment unit 40 due to a decrease in the water W due to the generation of fog, all of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 in the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the container 20 The water level WF is maintained substantially constant in the horizontal direction H so as not to be buried in the water W to make it difficult to generate fog. Thus, the opening 30 has a first water level maintaining function.
In addition, the part which stores the water which flows out of the container 20 from the opening part 30 is abbreviate | omitting illustration.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the opening 30 formed in the front wall 20-1 is in contact with water at a part of the lower portion of the front end surface 12 </ b> F in the vibration unit 12, and the water is subjected to surface tension. Has a second water level maintaining function that keeps the water level WF constant so that the tip end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 rises and adheres to the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 and is atomized by the vibration of the vibration unit 12. Have.

In the illustration illustrated in FIG. 1C, the opening 30 maintains the water level WF in a predetermined state by the first and second water level maintaining functions described above, and the direction (direction) of the generated fog. ), The configuration in which the container 20 is inclined at a predetermined angle α and the front wall 20-1 of the container 20 is slightly upward is disclosed. It is desirable that the angle α can be changed within a range of 30 to 100 degrees (90 degrees when the central axis of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is parallel to the floor surface). Preferably, it is 75 to 85 degrees.
For example, if the bottom 30a of the opening 30 is made substantially the same height as the lower end of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12, excess water is supplied while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. Water W can be discharged from the bottom 30 a of the opening 30. In such a case, it is not always necessary to incline the container 20, and the angle α may be 90 degrees.
In general, the atomizing device 1A is used by placing the bottom surface on a horizontal surface, and therefore has the shape shown by the broken line in FIG. 1C, and the bottom surface 20-6a is, for example, a table. It is also possible to make the structure coincide with the horizontal plane.

  Preferably, an angle adjustment mechanism (not shown) is provided, and the user adjusts the angle α of the container 20 using the angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the water level WF and / or to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10. It is also possible to adjust the contact state of the water, the selective discharge of the generated mist, and the direction (angle) of discharge of the mist.

  The atomizing apparatus 1A illustrated in FIG. 1C is configured to oscillate the water W supplied from the water replenishing unit 40 and stored in the container 20 by surface tension according to the atomization principle described as the first embodiment. The water W guided to the front end surface 12F can be continuously atomized by the vibration of the vibration unit 12, and the atomized mist can be discharged from the opening 30 to the outside of the container 20.

The upper wall 20-5 is provided with a water replenishment unit 40 for replenishing water W to be atomized in the container 20.
As a method of supplying water W to the container 20 by the water supply unit 40, for example, an opening (not shown) is provided in the upper wall 20-5, and the water supply unit 40 is placed in the container 20 through the opening. A configuration in which water is dropped, or a configuration in which a tube extending from the water supply unit 40 into the water of the container 20 is connected and water is supplied from the water supply unit 40 to the container 20 through the tube may be employed.

The amount of water replenished from the water replenishment unit 40 to the container 20 is such that the water W is supplied to the tip surface 12F of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 according to the decrease in the water level WF due to atomization of the water W. This is performed so as not to leave the front end surface 12F. For example, when the atomizing device 1A is operated continuously, the amount of generated mist, that is, the amount of water consumed by atomization is known to some extent. For example, the water replenishing unit 40 supplies water based on the continuous operation time of the atomizing device 1A. Can be replenished intermittently. Alternatively, a water level meter for measuring the water level in the container 20 is provided, and the measured value of the water level meter is compared with a reference value. When the measured value of the water level meter falls below the reference value, a predetermined amount of water is supplied from the water supply unit 40. W can also be replenished. When replenishing these waters, an electric circuit using a pump, an on-off valve or the like can be used.
The replenishment of the water W to the container 20 by the water replenishment unit 40 is not necessarily accurate, and may be somewhat surplus. The reason is that in the present embodiment, the water level WF in the container 20 is maintained by surplus water overflowing from the opening 30 formed in the front wall 20-1. The maintenance of the water level WF can be adjusted to an optimum state by adjusting the position of the bottom 30a of the opening 30 formed in the front wall 20-1 by, for example, inclining the container 20.
Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like. In such a case, the height of the opening 30 can be set regardless of the above-described maintenance of the water level WF.

Also in the second embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the vibration frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 depends on the vibration condition, capability, performance, and ambient humidity of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to be used. It was confirmed that the most water particles (mist) having a particle diameter of about 10 to 20 μm are usually generated when the pressure is about 200 KHz. In the illustration of FIG. 1C, such a major mist advances a lot toward the front while being along the central axis of the vibration unit 12. Since the water particles (water droplets) having a large particle diameter are not sufficiently atomized and fly in the direction close to the surface of the water level WF in the water-containing mist or the state of the particles, the reach distance is short. Moreover, since the water particle (mist, mist) with a small particle diameter is atomized small and flies upward, the reach distance becomes long.
Furthermore, since the bottom 30a of the opening 30 provided in the front wall 20-1 does not protrude more than necessary, it is possible to suppress the spraying of the fog, and to ensure the reach of the fog as described above. can do.

As illustrated in the first embodiment, the atomizing apparatus 1A of the second embodiment can be applied to various uses for spraying or spraying the atomized liquid.
As such an application example, for example, it is suitable for humidification in a living room. If a fragrance | flavor or the water containing a fragrance | flavor is used for the object liquid, spraying of the atomized fragrance | flavor will be attained.
For example, when the atomization apparatus 1A of the present embodiment is applied to an agricultural product growth space such as a vinyl house, the liquid to be atomized contains agrochemicals (drugs or drugs), fertilizers, pesticides, or the like. Using water, atomized agricultural chemicals can be used for disinfection of agricultural products. The atomized pesticide by the atomization apparatus 1A of the present embodiment has an advantage that the particle size is smaller than that of a pesticide in a water droplet state by a normal sprayer and can be continuously sprayed. If the atomizing apparatus 1A for atomizing such a pesticide can be moved, the atomized pesticide and the like can be sprayed over a wider range.

First Modification of Second Embodiment A first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (D) and (E).
The atomization device 1B according to the first modification of the second embodiment is characterized in that surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 are provided on the back wall 20-2 in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension assisting members 50 and 50 are opposed to each other with the vibrating portion 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 interposed therebetween, but at least one of them is required to expect a predetermined effect.
As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 cooperate with the vibration unit 12 to attach the liquid to be atomized such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension. It is a member that fulfills a water supply function and a water retention function that maintains the water level WF. In other words, the position and height of the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 facing the vicinity of the vibration unit 12 are set so that the water W can be supplied and retained in cooperation with the vibration unit 12. ing. Here, the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 are opposed to the side surface 12s of the vibration unit 12 from the horizontal direction.

The distance D1 between the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 and the front end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 is 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, it is possible to obtain a surface tension that provides an appropriate water supply function and water retention function between the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 and the vibrating portion 12.
Further, the protruding amount T1 of the surface tension assisting members 50, 50 with respect to the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 is 0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, according to experiments.
If the protrusion amount T1 is not greater than or equal to 0, the functions of the surface tension assisting members 50 and 50 are not sufficiently obtained, and the water W does not effectively adhere to the distal end surface 12F. On the other hand, the amount of water W adhering to the distal end surface 12F increases as the protrusion amount T1 increases within a predetermined range. However, if the amount of water W adhering to the front end surface 12F becomes excessive, the load applied to the vibration part 12 increases, and the vibration efficiency is lowered and proper atomization cannot be performed. Moreover, when the protrusion amount T1 is large, the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 become obstacles to the sprayed mist (mist). Therefore, it is possible to efficiently generate an appropriate mist (mist) by setting the protrusion amount T1 within the above range.

By providing the surface tension auxiliary members 50, 50, the surface of the vibrating portion 12 on the tip surface 12F in the axial direction on the surface of the horizontal water level WF described with reference to FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (C). In addition to replenishment of water W by tension, water due to surface tension on the front end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 is also affected by surface tension on a vertical surface (radial direction of the vibrating portion 12) perpendicular to the surface of the horizontal water level WF. W is replenished.
That is, water W is replenished to the surface over a wide range at the front end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 by the surface tension in the two-dimensional direction of the vibration part 12 in the axial direction and the radial direction. As a result, the water W can be stably and appropriately replenished to the surface of the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12.
For example, even if a situation occurs in which the water level WF and the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 are separated due to vibration such as an earthquake or a change in the inclination angle α of the container 20, the cooperation with the vibration unit 12 occurs. The water W can be stably provided to the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 by the water supply action and the water retention action based on the surface tension of the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 that act.
In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1C, by setting the liquid level maintaining means as the bottom 30a of the opening 30, the water level WF is set to an optimum value and the water W is set to the bottom 30a of the opening 30. In this case, a large working effect can be expected.
Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like. In such a case, the height of the opening 30 can be set regardless of the above-described maintenance of the water level WF.
In addition, the surface tension auxiliary members 50 and 50 perform a water supply function for adhering the atomization target liquid by surface tension from a direction that does not hinder the generated mist ejection (scattering), and a water retention function for maintaining the water level WF. Reduction of the fog supply capacity can be suppressed.

Second Modification of Second Embodiment A second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B). FIG. 3A is a front view showing the arrangement of the surface tension auxiliary members 51 and 51 on the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomizing apparatus 1A illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A in FIG.
In the atomization device 1C according to the second modification of the second embodiment, the surface tension auxiliary members 51 and 51 are provided on the back wall 20-2 so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. And the surfaces 12s and 51a which the vibration part 12 and the surface tension auxiliary members 51 and 51 oppose are made parallel. The surface tension assisting members 51 and 51 are opposed to each other with the vibrating portion 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 51 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 51.

The surface tension auxiliary member 51 has its inner surface 51 a opposed to the side surface 12 s of the vibration part 12. The side surface 12s and the inner surface 51a are arranged in parallel with a distance D2. Therefore, the inner surface 51a is curved with the same curvature as the side surface 12s of the vibration part 12. Further, since the surface tension auxiliary member 51 is formed with a uniform thickness, the outer surface 51b is also curved with the same curvature as the side surface 12s.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the surface tension auxiliary member 51 cooperates with the vibration unit 12 to attach an atomization target liquid such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension. And a water retention function for maintaining the water level WF. In other words, the surface tension assisting member 51 is set at a position and a height facing the vicinity of the vibration unit 12 so that the water W can be supplied and retained in cooperation with the vibration unit 12. .

The distance D2 between the surface tension auxiliary member 51 and the distal end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 is 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, it is possible to obtain a surface tension that provides an appropriate water supply function and water retention function between the surface tension auxiliary member 51 and the vibrating portion 12.
Further, the protruding amount T2 of the surface tension auxiliary member 51 with respect to the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 is 0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, an appropriate amount of water W adheres to the front end surface 12F by the surface tension auxiliary member 51 and does not become an obstacle to the mist (mist) ejected by the surface tension auxiliary member 51. Can be generated.

Thus, by providing the surface tension auxiliary member 51, the water supply operation and the water retention operation based on the surface tension of the surface tension auxiliary member 51 cooperating with the vibration unit 12 are more stable than when only the vibration unit 12 is provided. Water W can be provided to the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12.
Furthermore, since the opposing surfaces 12s and 51a of the vibration part 12 and the surface tension auxiliary member 51 are made parallel, a uniform surface tension is generated at a predetermined position on the surface where the vibration part 12 protrudes therebetween. , Water supply and water retention are stable. Therefore, more stable atomization is possible.
Even in such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 1C, by setting the liquid level maintaining means to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, the water level WF is set to an optimum value and the water W is at the bottom of the opening 30. Since the surface tension rises at 30a, a large effect can be expected.
Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like. In such a case, the height of the opening 30 can be set regardless of the above-described maintenance of the water level WF.
Even in such a case, the bottom 30a of the opening 30 and the surface tension assisting members 51 and 51 do not hinder mist injection.

3rd modification of 2nd Embodiment With reference to FIG. 4 (A)-FIG.4 (C), the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd modification of 2nd Embodiment in this invention is described. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing device 1D. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the upper surface of the atomizing apparatus 1D. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the right side surface of the atomizing apparatus 1D.
An atomization apparatus 1D according to a third modification of the second embodiment includes an excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the container 20, the water supply unit 40, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. ). Since these are the same configurations as described above, description thereof will be omitted.

An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2 of the container 20. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 fulfill | performs the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG.1 (C), and atomization of liquids, such as water W, performs efficiently. The dimensions are set as shown. As a result, the bottom 30a of the opening 30 does not have a height that hinders mist injection. Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 includes a piezoelectric element 11, a vibrating part 12, and a fixed part 13. The piezoelectric element 11 has a cylindrical shape, and for example, PZT is used.
The vibration part 12 has a cylindrical part 12a and a rectangular part 12b that are integrally formed. The columnar portion 12 a has substantially the same diameter as the fixed portion 13, and the piezoelectric element 11 is attached to one end surface via the fixed portion 13. From the other end surface of the columnar portion 12a, a rectangular portion 12b extends with a constant rectangular cross section. As shown in FIG. 4A, the distal end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 in the third modification of the second embodiment has a rectangular cross section viewed from the front, and the short side of the rectangle is in the horizontal direction. The long side of the rectangle is arranged in the vertical direction. The front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 is formed flat, for example, so that the water W is guided to the surface by the surface tension of the water W.

In the piezoelectric vibrator 10, the piezoelectric element 11 and the fixed portion 13 are located outside the container 20 with the back wall 20-2 as a reference, and a part of the vibrating portion 12 passes through a hole provided in the back wall 20-2. And it is being fixed to back wall 20-2 so that it may be located inside container 20. The fixing portion 13 is a portion that fixes the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to the back wall 20-2.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
Although not shown in the figure, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 has a back wall so as to have a sealing property and a vibration relieving action using a buffer member 14 or the like as shown in FIG. 1 (E) in the second embodiment. It is fixed to 20-2.

Two surface tension auxiliary members 52, 52 are provided on the bottom wall 20-6 of the container 20 in the vicinity of the front end surface 12 </ b> F of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension auxiliary members 52 and 52 are provided on both sides of the rectangular portion 12b constituting the vibrating portion 12 and at positions that do not hinder the forward spraying of mist, preferably symmetrical positions on both sides. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 52 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 52.
The surface 52a of the surface tension auxiliary member 52 is opposed to the side surface 12s of the rectangular portion 12b of the vibrating portion 12 from the horizontal direction. The opposing surfaces 12s and 52a are parallel.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the surface tension auxiliary member 52 cooperates with the vibration unit 12 to attach a liquid to be atomized such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension. And the water retention function of maintaining the water level WF. In other words, the position and height of the surface tension auxiliary member 52 facing the vicinity of the vibration unit 12 are set so that the water W can be supplied and retained in cooperation with the vibration unit 12. .

The distance D3 between the surface tension auxiliary member 52 and the distal end surface 12F of the vibration part 12 is 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, it is possible to obtain a surface tension that provides an appropriate water supply function and water retention function between the surface tension auxiliary member 52 and the vibrating portion 12.
Further, the projection amount T3 of the surface tension auxiliary member 52 from the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 is 0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, an appropriate amount of water W adheres to the front end surface 12F by the surface tension auxiliary member 52 and does not become an obstacle to the mist (mist) ejected by the surface tension auxiliary member 52. Can be generated.

Thus, by providing the surface tension auxiliary member 52, compared to the case of only the vibration part 12, the water supply action and the water retention action based on the surface tension of the surface tension auxiliary member 52 cooperating with the vibration part 12 are more stable. Water W can be provided to the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12.
Furthermore, since the opposing surfaces 12s and 52a of the vibration part 12 and the surface tension auxiliary member 52 are made parallel to each other, a uniform surface tension is generated at a predetermined position on the surface where the vibration part 12 protrudes therebetween. , Water supply and water retention are stable. Therefore, more stable atomization is possible.

In particular, the surface tension assisting member 52 is provided in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F that is arranged such that the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 is rectangular and the short side of the rectangle is in the horizontal direction and the long side of the rectangle is in the vertical direction. Thus, more stable atomization becomes possible. This is presumably because if the length in the vertical direction is long to some extent, the amount of water W supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 by surface tension is stably supplied in an amount necessary for atomization.
The rectangular shape of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 has a ratio of vertical direction: horizontal direction in a range of, for example, 1: 0.3 (rectangle) to 1.0: 1.0 (square). The rectangle in the present invention includes a square. Thus, even if the shape of the front end surface 12F is a square, stable atomization is possible.

Third Embodiment With reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, an atomizer 1E according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing apparatus 1E. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the top surface of the atomizing device 1E. FIG.5 (C) is sectional drawing which shows an inside from the right side surface of the atomizer 1E.

An atomizing apparatus 1E according to the third embodiment includes a container 20, a water supply unit 40, and an excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomizing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. Since these are the same configurations as described above, description thereof will be omitted.
An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 has the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG. 1 (C) similarly to the 3rd deformation | transformation aspect of 2nd Embodiment. The dimensions are set so that the atomization of the liquid such as water W is efficiently performed. As a result, the bottom 30a of the opening 30 does not have a height that hinders the spray of mist as in the second embodiment. Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like.

  The piezoelectric vibrator 10 includes a piezoelectric element 11, a vibrating part 12, and a fixed part 13. The vibration part 12 has a large-diameter cylindrical part 12c and a small-diameter cylindrical part 12d that are integrally formed. Both the large-diameter cylindrical portion 12c and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d have a constant diameter, and the diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 12c is larger than the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 12 c has substantially the same diameter as the fixed portion 13, and the piezoelectric element 11 is attached to one end surface via the fixed portion 13. From the other end face of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 12c, a small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d extends with the same axis. As shown in FIG. 5A, the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 in the third embodiment has a circular cross section viewed from the front. The front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 is formed flat, for example, so that the water W is guided to the surface by the surface tension of the water W.

In the piezoelectric vibrator 10, the piezoelectric element 11 and the fixed portion 13 are located outside the container 20 with the back wall 20-2 as a reference, and a part of the vibrating portion 12 passes through a hole provided in the back wall 20-2. And it is being fixed to back wall 20-2 so that it may be located inside container 20. The fixing portion 13 is a portion that fixes the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to the back wall 20-2.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
Although not shown in the figure, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 has a back wall so as to have a sealing property and a vibration relieving action using a buffer member 14 or the like as shown in FIG. 1 (E) in the second embodiment. It is fixed to 20-2.

Two surface tension auxiliary members 53, 53 are provided inside the container 20 (the back wall 20-2 and / or the bottom wall 20-6) in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension auxiliary members 53 and 53 are provided on both sides of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d constituting the vibrating portion 12 and at positions that do not hinder the forward spraying of mist, preferably symmetrical positions on both sides. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 53 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 53.
The surface tension auxiliary member 53 is a flat plate member. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the surface tension assisting member 53 such as water W is subjected to surface tension on the front end surface 12F of the vibrating unit 12 in cooperation with the vibrating unit 12. The water supply function to be attached by the water and the water retention function to maintain the water level WF. In other words, the surface tension assisting member 53 is set at a position and a height opposite to the vicinity of the vibrating unit 12 so that the water W can be supplied and retained in cooperation with the vibrating unit 12. .

The surface tension auxiliary member 53 makes the surface 53a face the side surface 12s of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d of the vibrating portion 12 from the horizontal direction. The space | interval of the surface 53a and the side surface 12s becomes narrow continuously toward the front end surface 12F side. The distance D4 between the surface 53a and the side surface 12s at the tip of the vibration unit 12 is 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, it is possible to obtain a surface tension that provides an appropriate water supply function and water retention function between the surface 53a of the surface tension auxiliary member 53 and the side surface 12s of the small diameter cylindrical portion 12d.
Further, the projection amount T4 of the surface tension auxiliary member 53 from the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 is 0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, an appropriate amount of water W adheres to the front end surface 12F by the surface tension auxiliary member 53 and does not become an obstacle to the mist (mist) ejected by the surface tension auxiliary member 53. Can be generated.

Thus, by providing the surface tension auxiliary member 53, compared with the case of only the vibration part 12, the water supply action and the water retention action based on the surface tension of the surface tension auxiliary member 53 cooperating with the vibration part 12 are more stable. Water W can be provided to the surface of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12.
In particular, the distance between the surface 53a of the surface tension assisting member 53 and the side surface 12s of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d of the vibrating portion 12 is narrowed toward the distal end surface 12F side of the vibrating portion 12, so that the space between these surfaces is reduced. The surface tension generated in the step increases toward the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. Therefore, the surface tension is stably maintained particularly near the front end surface 12F, the surface tension decreases as the distance from the front end surface 12F increases, and the amount of water W adhering to the side surface 12s of the vibration unit 12 decreases.
Therefore, in the atomization apparatus 1E, since the resistance of the water W with respect to the vibration of the vibration part 12 becomes small and the vibration of the vibration part 12 becomes stable, stable atomization is possible.
In the second embodiment described above, the distance between the surface 53a of the surface tension assisting member 53 and the side surface 12s of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d of the vibrating portion 12 continuously changes. However, it is possible to change the interval stepwise, for example.

First Modification Aspect of Third Embodiment With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, an atomization apparatus 1F that is a first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The atomizing device 1F is an aspect in which the small-diameter cylindrical portion 12d of the vibrating portion in the atomizing device 1E of the third embodiment is changed to a rectangular portion 12b. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing apparatus 1F. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the top surface of the atomizing apparatus 1F. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the right side surface of the atomizing apparatus 1F.

The atomization device 1F in the first modification of the third embodiment is an excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the container 20, the water replenishment unit 40, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization device 1A of the second embodiment. ). Moreover, it has the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd deformation | transformation aspect of 2nd Embodiment, and the surface tension auxiliary members 53 and 53 in the atomization apparatus 1E of 3rd Embodiment. Since these have the same configuration as described above, description thereof is omitted.
An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 fulfill | performs the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG.1 (C) similarly to previous 3rd Embodiment, and water The dimensions are set so that atomization of a liquid such as W can be efficiently performed. As a result, the bottom 30a of the opening 30 does not have a height that hinders the spray of mist as in the third embodiment. Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
As for the mounting structure of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, as shown in FIG. 1E in the second embodiment, the back wall 20-2 is used to provide a sealing property and a vibration mitigating action using a buffer member 14 or the like. It is fixed to.

Two surface tension assisting members 53 and 53 are provided in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension auxiliary members 53 and 53 are provided at positions on both sides of the rectangular portion 12b constituting the vibrating portion 12, preferably at symmetrical positions on both sides, and spray mist as in the third embodiment. It is provided at a position that does not hinder. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 53 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 53.
The surface tension auxiliary member 53 opposes the surface 53 a with the horizontal side surface 12 s of the rectangular portion 12 b that constitutes the vibration portion 12. The space | interval of the surface 53a and the side surface 12s becomes narrow continuously toward the front end surface 12F side. The distance D5 between the surface 53a and the side surface 12s at the tip of the vibration part 12 is 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, it is possible to obtain a surface tension that provides an appropriate water supply function and water retention function between the surface tension auxiliary member 53 and the vibrating portion 12.
Further, the protruding amount T5 of the surface tension assisting member 53 from the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 is 0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, according to experiments.
According to this, an appropriate amount of water W adheres to the front end surface 12F by the surface tension auxiliary member 53 and does not become an obstacle to the mist (mist) ejected by the surface tension auxiliary member 53. Can be generated.

Thus, even if it is the atomizer 1F from which the shape of the vibration part 12 differs, by providing the surface tension auxiliary member 53 in the front end surface 12F vicinity, the effect | action similar to the atomizer 1E of 3rd Embodiment, and An effect can be obtained.
In particular, a more stable atomization can be achieved by making the front end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 rectangular and arranging the rectangular short side in the horizontal direction and the long side of the rectangle in the vertical direction. This is presumably because if the length in the vertical direction is long to some extent, the amount of water W supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12 by surface tension is stably supplied in an amount necessary for atomization.
The rectangular shape of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 has a ratio of vertical direction: horizontal direction in a range of, for example, 1: 0.3 (rectangle) to 1.0: 1.0 (square). The rectangle in the present invention includes a square. Thus, even if the shape of the front end surface 12F is a square, stable atomization is possible.

Fourth Embodiment With reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C, an atomizer 1G according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing apparatus 1G. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the top surface of the atomizing apparatus 1G. FIG.7 (C) is sectional drawing which shows an inside from the right side surface of the atomization apparatus 1G.

  An atomizing device 1G according to the fourth embodiment includes the container 20, the water supply unit 40, and the excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomizing device 1A according to the second embodiment. Moreover, it has the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd deformation | transformation aspect of 2nd Embodiment. Since these have the same configuration as described above, description thereof is omitted.

An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2 of the container 20. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 fulfill | performs the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG.1 (C) similarly to previous 3rd Embodiment, and water The dimensions of the liquid are set so that the atomization of the liquid such as W is efficiently performed and the forward spraying of the mist is not hindered.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like.
As for the mounting structure of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, as shown in FIG. 1E in the second embodiment, the back wall 20-2 is used to provide a sealing property and a vibration mitigating action using a buffer member 14 or the like. It is fixed to.

Two surface tension auxiliary members 54 and 54 are provided inside the container 20 (the back wall 20-2 and / or the bottom wall 20-6) in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension auxiliary members 54, 54 are opposed to each other at a position that does not hinder the forward spraying of the mist and sandwich the rectangular portion 12 b of the vibrating portion 12. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 54 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 54.
The surface tension assisting member 54 is provided so that the horizontal side surface 12s and the surface 54a of the rectangular portion 12b constituting the vibrating portion 12 face each other. The surface tension auxiliary member 54 cooperates with the vibration unit 12 to have a water supply function for adhering a liquid to be atomized such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension, and a water retention function for maintaining the water level WF. Fulfill. In other words, the surface tension auxiliary member 54 is set at a position and a height facing the vicinity of the front end surface 12F so that the water W can be supplied and retained in cooperation with the vibration unit 12. .

The shape of the surface 54a of the surface tension auxiliary member 54 is defined by the projection shape projected on the projection surface defined by the vertical direction X and the vertical direction Y of the front end surface 12F (the axial direction of the vibration unit 12) Y. Since the projection surface is a surface parallel to FIG. 7C, the projection shape of the surface 54a is the shape of the surface 54a described in FIG.
In the projected shape of the surface 54a, the amount of projection in the horizontal direction from the perpendicular V passing through the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F is T6. The surface 54a of the surface tension assisting member 54 has a first shape changing portion 54b in which the protruding amount T6 increases from the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F toward the lower side of the perpendicular V.
In other words, the surface tension auxiliary member 54 is formed in a shape in which a rectangle (square) and a trapezoid are joined such that the trapezoid is positioned below, and the arrangement and dimensional relationship with the rectangular portion 12b that constitutes the vibrating portion 12. Is set as described above. It is also possible to have the first shape changing portion 54b at a part below the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F.

As described above, the configuration using the surface tension auxiliary member 54 having the first shape changing portion 54b has a slightly different aspect of the surface tension accompanying the change in the water level WF in the surface tension of the water generated on the tip surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12. It will be different.
That is, as described in the first modification of the second embodiment, the state of the surface tension generated on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 due to the surface tension is the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 of the surface tension auxiliary member 54. In the fourth embodiment, the water level in the upper range (rectangular and / or square portion) of the surface tension assisting member 54 where the protruding amount T6 is constant in accordance with the atomization in the fourth embodiment. Even if the WF changes, the location and range of the surface tension generated on the front end surface 12F hardly change.
However, in the state where the water level WF is lower than the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F, when the protrusion amount T6 is constant, the surface tension is not generated on the front end surface 12F due to the limit of surface tension generation. Stop.
However, if the water level WF is lower than the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F by specifying the shape of the surface tension auxiliary member 54 as in the present embodiment, the protrusion amount of the surface 54a of the surface tension auxiliary member 54 at that water level. T6 increases.
As a result, although the amount of water W adhering to the front end surface 12F decreases as the water level decreases, the amount of protrusion T6 at the water level increases, and as a result, a supplementary action occurs in the generation of surface tension. Generation will be maintained.
Thus, since the amount of the water W adhering to the front end surface 12F is maintained by making the shape of the surface tension auxiliary member 54 the shape in which the protruding amount T6 increases as the water level WF decreases, the surface tension auxiliary member 54 is stable. Atomization is possible.
The angle β of the hypotenuse in the first shape changing portion 54b is in the range of 0 to 30 degrees, preferably 15 to 20 degrees, according to experiments.
According to this, even when the water level is lowered, it is possible to maintain the amount of water W suitable for atomization on the tip surface 12F. Therefore, more stable atomization is possible.

  When the atomizing device 1G is tilted and used, the shape of the first shape changing portion 54b (based on the horizontal and vertical directions of the tilted atomizing device 1G can be expected so that the above-described effects can be expected. The angle β) of the trapezoid hypotenuse may be set. Further, the first shape changing portion 54b is not limited to a flat surface, and can be formed by a flat surface, a curved surface, and a combination thereof. Also, the side corresponding to the trapezoid hypotenuse is not limited to a straight line, but a curved shape. Is also possible.

Fifth Embodiment With reference to FIGS. 8 (A) to 8 (D), an atomizer 1H according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing device 1H. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the top surface of the atomizing device 1H. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the right side surface of the atomizing apparatus 1H. FIG. 8D is an enlarged view of a portion E in FIG.

An atomization apparatus 1H according to the fifth embodiment includes the container 20, the water supply unit 40, and the excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. Moreover, it has the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd deformation | transformation aspect of 2nd Embodiment. Since these have the same configuration as described above, description thereof is omitted.
An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 fulfill | performs the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG.1 (C) similarly to previous 4th Embodiment, and water The dimensions of the liquid are set so that the atomization of the liquid such as W is efficiently performed and the forward spraying of the mist is not hindered.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like.
As for the mounting structure of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, as shown in FIG. 1E in the second embodiment, the back wall 20-2 is used to provide a sealing property and a vibration mitigating action using a buffer member 14 or the like. It is fixed to.

Two surface tension auxiliary members 55 and 55 are provided inside the container 20 (the back wall 20-2 and / or the bottom wall 20-6) in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension assisting members 55 and 55 are opposed to each other at a position that does not hinder the forward spraying of mist and sandwich the rectangular portion 12b of the vibrating portion 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 55 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 55.
The surface tension assisting member 55 is provided so that the horizontal side surface 12s and the surface 55a of the rectangular portion 12b constituting the vibrating portion 12 face each other. The surface tension auxiliary member 55 cooperates with the vibration unit 12 to have a water supply function for attaching a liquid to be atomized such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension, and a water retention function for maintaining the water level WF. Fulfill. In other words, the position and height of the surface tension assisting member 55 are set in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F so that the water W can be supplied and retained in cooperation with the vibration unit 12. Yes.

The shape of the surface 55a of the surface tension assisting member 55 is defined by the projection shape projected on the projection surface defined by the vertical direction X and the vertical direction Y of the front end surface 12F (the axial direction of the vibration unit 12) Y. Since the projection surface is a surface parallel to FIG. 8C, the projection shape of the surface 55a is the shape of the surface 55a described in FIG.
In the projected shape of the surface 55a, the amount of horizontal protrusion from the front end surface 12F is T7. The surface 55a of the surface tension assisting member 55 has a second shape changing portion 55c in which the protruding amount T7 decreases from the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F to 0 toward the upper end 12h.
In other words, the surface tension auxiliary member 55 is formed in a shape in which a trapezoid and a rectangle (square) are joined together so that the trapezoid is located above, and the arrangement and dimensional relationship with the rectangular portion 12b constituting the vibrating portion 12 are as follows. In the projection plane described above, the trapezoidal hypotenuse is set so that the midway of the trapezoidal side intersects at the substantially central portion of the front end surface 12F of the rectangular portion 12b constituting the vibrating portion 12 as shown in FIG. Has been.

Accordingly, the protrusion amount T7g at the lower end 12g of the front end surface 12F is greater than zero. In the second shape changing portion 55c when the protrusion amount T7g is 0, the oblique side portion of the trapezoid is the position indicated by the broken line 55c-1 in FIG.
The protrusion amount T7g is greater than 0 and 3 mm or less, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, according to experiments. According to this, since it does not become the obstacle of the mist (mist) which the surface tension auxiliary member 55 injects, it is possible to generate an appropriate mist (mist). In the second shape changing portion 55c when the protrusion amount T7g is 3 mm, the oblique side portion of the trapezoid described above is at a position indicated by a broken line 55c-2 in FIG.
That is, the second shape changing portion 55c adjusts the above-described protrusion amount 7g so that it is not between the broken line 55c-1 and the broken line 55c-2 in FIG. 2).

As described above, the surface tension auxiliary member 55 includes the second shape changing portion 55c, whereby stable atomization is possible. That is, the amount of water W adhering to the front end surface 12F is larger as the horizontal protrusion amount T7 of the surface tension auxiliary member 55 with respect to the front end surface 12F is larger in a predetermined range as described in the fourth embodiment. To increase.
Therefore, in the case of a surface tension auxiliary member in which the protrusion amount T7 does not change with respect to the front end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12, that is, in the case of a surface tension auxiliary member formed in a simple rectangle, if the protrusion amount T7 is varied, the entire front end surface 12F The protrusion amount T7 varies.
On the other hand, when the surface tension assisting member 55 is provided with the second shape changing portion 55c having a side corresponding to the hypotenuse of the trapezoid, even if the protruding amount T7 is slightly changed, the protruding amount T7 is changed on the front end surface 12F. There are few parts. That is, the second shape change portion 55c indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8D maintains the relationship of intersecting the front end face 12F on the projection plane as indicated by the broken line 55c-1 even before and after, as a result. Even if the water level WF slightly varies, the adhesion due to the surface tension of the water W to the rectangular portion 12b is maintained in cooperation with the surface tension auxiliary member 55.
In other words, even if the adhesion of the water W due to the surface tension to the vibrating portion 12 becomes unstable as the water level WF decreases, the protrusion amount T7 of the surface tension auxiliary member 55 increases, resulting in the vibration of the water W. Adhesion due to surface tension to the portion 12 will be subsidized, and atomization can be continued.
On the contrary, if the water level WF increases, the protrusion amount T7 of the surface tension auxiliary member 55 decreases and the surface tension assisting action decreases, so that the atomizing action due to excessive surface tension action is suppressed.
Thus, since the surface tension auxiliary member 55 has the second shape changing portion 55c, the amount of water W adhering to the distal end surface 12F is stabilized, so that stable atomization is possible.

Further, it is possible to finely adjust the amount of water W adhering to the distal end surface 12F by changing the protrusion amount T7.
Furthermore, in the atomization apparatus 1H, the adhesion of the water W to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 is suppressed above the portion where the protrusion amount T7 becomes zero. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the spray range of the mist (mist).
In the atomizing device 1H, the oblique side portion of the second shape changing portion 55c is formed over a range beyond the tip surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12, but only in a range corresponding to the tip surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12. It is also possible to use the second shape changing portion in which the hypotenuse is located and the front and rear of the hypotenuse are formed in an arbitrary shape. Further, the second shape changing portion is not limited to a flat surface, and can be formed of a flat surface, a curved surface, and a combination thereof.

Sixth Embodiment With reference to FIGS. 9A to 9D, an atomizer 1J according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing device 1J. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the top surface of the atomizer 1J. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the right side of the atomizer 1J. FIG. 9D is an enlarged view of a main part showing the arrangement of the additional auxiliary member 60, the surface tension auxiliary member 56, and the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 in the atomization apparatus 1J.

An atomizing apparatus 1J according to the sixth embodiment includes a container 20, a water supply unit 40, and an excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomizing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. Moreover, it has the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd deformation | transformation aspect of 2nd Embodiment. Since these have the same configuration as described above, description thereof is omitted.
An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 fulfill | performs the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG.1 (C) similarly to previous 5th Embodiment, and water The dimensions of the liquid are set so that the atomization of the liquid such as W is efficiently performed and the forward spraying of the mist is not hindered.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
Note that the means for maintaining the water level WF is not limited to the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and may be a means for controlling the replenishment of water from the water replenishment unit 40 using a water level detection sensor or the like.
As for the mounting structure of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, as shown in FIG. 1E in the second embodiment, the back wall 20-2 is used to provide a sealing property and a vibration mitigating action using a buffer member 14 or the like. It is fixed to.

Two surface tension auxiliary members 56, 56 are provided in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 so as not to hinder the forward spraying of fog. The surface tension auxiliary members 56 and 56 are provided on the container 20 so as to face each other with the rectangular portion 12b of the vibrating portion 12 interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, one surface tension auxiliary member 56 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension auxiliary member 56.
The surface tension auxiliary member 56 is a columnar member, and the bottom surface is provided on the bottom wall 20-6 of the container 20. The surface tension auxiliary member 56 opposes the side surface 56 s with the side surface 12 s of the rectangular portion 12 b of the vibration unit 12. The surface tension assisting member 56 and the vibrating portion 12 cooperate to generate surface tension therebetween.

  In the vicinity of the surface tension auxiliary member 56, a plate-shaped additional auxiliary member 60 provided on the container 20 (the front wall 20-1 and / or the bottom wall 20-6) is disposed. The additional auxiliary member 60 makes the end surface 60 a face the side surface 56 s of the surface tension auxiliary member 56. The additional auxiliary member 60 and the surface tension auxiliary member 56 cooperate to generate a surface tension therebetween.

These surface tensions fulfill a water supply function for adhering a liquid to be atomized such as water W by the surface tension on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12, and a water retention function for maintaining the water level WF. In other words, the surface tension auxiliary member 55, the additional auxiliary member 60, and the vibration part 12 are arranged and height capable of supplying and retaining water W to the front end surface 12 </ b> F of the vibration part 12 due to surface tension generated therebetween. Is provided.
Thereby, the surface tension auxiliary member 56 and the additional auxiliary member 60 are immersed in the water W, and the water W is guided to a position higher than the water level in the surface tension auxiliary member 56 by the surface tension due to their cooperation. Then, due to the surface tension by the cooperation of the surface tension assisting member 56 and the vibration part 12, the water W is guided to a higher position and the water W adheres to the front end surface 12 </ b> F of the vibration part 12.

By providing the additional auxiliary member 60 in this manner, the water W reaches a high level in steps and is guided to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. Therefore, the atomizer 1J has an excellent water supply function and water retention function. Therefore, in the atomization apparatus 1J, stable atomization is possible.
In addition, it is also possible to provide a plurality of additional auxiliary members for one surface tension auxiliary member, or to provide another additional auxiliary member for the additional auxiliary member. According to this, since it has the further outstanding water supply function and water retention function, stable atomization is possible.

Seventh Embodiment With reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D, an atomizer 1K according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the front of the atomizing device 1K. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the top surface of the atomizing device 1K. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the right side surface of the atomizing apparatus 1K. FIG. 10D is an enlarged view of a main part showing the arrangement of the bottom 30a of the opening 30 in the atomizing device 1K, the surface tension assisting member 58, and the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating part 12.

An atomizing device 1K according to the seventh embodiment includes an excitation circuit (not shown) that drives the container 20, the water supply unit 40, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomizing device 1A according to the second embodiment. Moreover, it has the piezoelectric vibrator 10 in the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd deformation | transformation aspect of 2nd Embodiment. Since these have the same configuration as described above, description thereof is omitted.
An opening 30 is provided in the front wall 20-1 of the container 20, and the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2. The container 20 is used with the bottom wall 20-6 horizontal without tilting. And the bottom part (bottom side) 30a of the opening part 30 fulfill | performs the function of the liquid level maintenance means illustrated to FIG. 1 (A) and FIG.1 (C) similarly to 6th Embodiment previously, The dimensions of the liquid are set so that the atomization of the liquid such as W is efficiently performed and the forward spraying of the mist is not hindered.
The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fixed so that the height of the lower end of the front end surface 12F is slightly higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, surplus water W is discharged from the container 20 while the water W to be atomized is supplied to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension.
As for the mounting structure of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, as shown in FIG. 1E in the second embodiment, the back wall 20-2 is used to provide a sealing property and a vibration mitigating action using a buffer member 14 or the like. It is fixed to.

In the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration part 12, the two first surface tension auxiliary members 57, 57 are arranged inside the container 20 (the bottom wall 20-6 and / or the back wall so that the mist is not inhibited from being jetted forward. 20-2). The first surface tension assisting members 57 and 57 are opposed to each other with the rectangular portion 12b of the vibrating portion 12 interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, one surface tension assisting member 57 will be described, but the same applies to the other surface tension assisting member 57.
The first surface tension assisting member 57 is a flat plate member, and its surface 57 a faces the side surface 12 s in the horizontal direction of the rectangular portion 12 b constituting the vibrating portion 12. The first surface tension assisting member 57 cooperates with the rectangular portion 12b of the vibration unit 12 to supply a liquid to be atomized such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension, and its water level WF. The water retention function is maintained. In other words, the first surface tension assisting member 57 cooperates with the rectangular portion 12b of the vibration unit 12 to supply and retain water W, and is located in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 and a high height. Is set.
The first surface tension assisting member 57 includes a rectangular portion 12b that accompanies fluctuations in the water level WF, similar to the first shape changing portion 54b and the second shape changing portion 55c described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. A third shape changing portion 57b that performs the continuous action of the surface tension is provided. The third shape changing portion 57b changes the angle from the middle of the side extending from the bottom to the top in the surface tension auxiliary member 54 or the surface tension auxiliary member 55, like the first shape changing portion 54b and the second shape changing portion 55c. In the present embodiment, it is formed in a straight line from the bottom to the top, in other words, it corresponds to the hypotenuse of the first surface tension auxiliary member 57 formed in a trapezoidal shape. To do.

  A second surface tension assisting member 58 is provided in the vicinity of the distal end surface 12F between the vibrating portion 12 and the front wall 20-1 of the container 20. The second surface tension assisting member 58 is a flat plate member, with the front surface 58 a facing the front wall 20-1 of the container 20 and the back surface 58 b facing the front end surface 12 F of the vibration unit 12. The second surface tension assisting member 58 cooperates with the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 to supply a liquid to be atomized such as water W on the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 by surface tension, and its water level WF. The water retention function is maintained. In other words, the position and height of the second surface tension assisting member 58 in the vicinity of the front end surface 12F that can supply and retain water W in cooperation with the vibration unit 12 are set. However, the height of the second surface tension assisting member 58 is made higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30, and the front end surface does not interfere with the injection of mist (mist) generated from the front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. The height is less than the upper end of 12F. Further, the width of the front surface 58 a and the back surface 58 b of the second surface tension assisting member 58 is equal to or larger than the width of the front end surface 12 </ b> F of the vibrating portion 12 and smaller than the width of the bottom portion 30 a in the opening 30.

  Due to the cooperation between the bottom 30a of the opening 30 immersed in the water W and the surface 58a of the second surface tension auxiliary member 58, surface tension is generated between them. Since the width of the surface 58a of the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 is equal to or less than the width of the bottom 30a of the opening 30, surface tension is generated on the entire surface 58a of the second surface tension auxiliary member 58. Further, since the height of the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 is higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30, the water W is guided to a position higher than the water level WF by the surface tension.

  On the other hand, surface tension is generated by the cooperation of the back surface 58b of the second surface tension assisting member 58 and the front end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12. Since the width of the back surface 58b of the second surface tension assisting member 58 is not less than the width of the front end surface 12F, surface tension is generated over the entire width of the front end surface 12F. Then, due to the surface tension, the water W is guided to a higher position, and the water W adheres to the distal end surface 12F of the vibrating portion 12.

  Further, the water W is also guided to the front end surface 12 </ b> F of the vibration unit 12 by the surface tension by the cooperation of the first surface tension auxiliary member 57 and the vibration unit 12.

In this way, by providing the second surface tension assisting member 58, the water W reaches a high level step by step and is guided to the distal end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. Therefore, the atomization apparatus 1K has an excellent water supply and water retention function. Therefore, stable atomization is possible in the atomization apparatus 1K.
In the atomization apparatus 1K, the height of the second surface tension assisting member 58 is set to be higher than the bottom 30a of the opening 30 and less than the height at which the water W adheres to the entire front end surface 12F of the vibration unit 12. preferable. That is, when the surface W of the surface tension auxiliary member 58 is set to the height of the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 by the surface tension from the upper end of the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 to the front end surface 12F, The height does not reach the upper end 12h of 12F.
According to this, since water W does not adhere to the whole front end surface 12F, it is possible to prevent generation of mist (mist) due to excessive water W adhering to the front end surface 12F. Therefore, stable atomization with the atomization apparatus 1K is possible.

  In the atomization device 1K, the first surface tension auxiliary member 57 and the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 are used in combination, thereby having a high water supply function and a water retention function. However, it is also possible to provide the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 alone.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the surface tension assisting member is provided so as to face the vibration portion, but may be any one of them. However, it is preferable that they are provided to face each other with the vibration part 12 interposed therebetween. According to this, since the water W is led from the both side surfaces of the vibration part to the tip surface, stable atomization is possible. In addition, since the water W can be attached to the distal end surface 12F in a well-balanced manner, mist (mist) can be generated with a small deviation in jetting.

  The atomization apparatus according to the present invention is configured so that the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole through which the vibration unit provided in the container passes and the side surface of the vibration unit arranged in the through hole is determined by the through hole and the vibration unit. It is preferable to make it as small as possible without contact. Hereinafter, the atomization apparatus 1D which is the 3rd modification of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated to an example.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing the periphery of the through hole 70 of the container 20 of the atomizing device 1D. In FIG. 11, members having the same configurations as those in FIGS. 4A to 4C are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The container 20 is provided with a through hole 70 in the back wall 20-2. The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is disposed on the back wall 20-2 of the container 20 from the outside of the container 20, and is attached by appropriate means (not shown). The rectangular portion 12 b of the vibrating portion 12 passes through the through hole 70. An O-ring groove 71 is provided around the through hole 70 on the outer surface of the back wall 20-2. An O-ring 72 serving as a buffer member is disposed in the O-ring groove 71 between the cylindrical portion 12a of the vibrating portion 12 and the outer surface of the back wall 20-2. Thereby, leakage of the water W from between the vibration part 12 and the back wall 20-2 of the container 20 is prevented.

The interval L between the inner peripheral surface 70a of the through hole 70 and the side surface (peripheral surface) 12s of the rectangular portion 12b of the vibrating portion 12 is reduced within a range where no contact is made. The interval L is preferably 2.5 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 mm or less, according to experiments.
According to this, the amount of water W entering the gap between the through hole 70 and the rectangular part 12b of the vibrating part 12 and the gap between the cylindrical part 12a of the vibrating part 12 and the back wall 20-2 of the container 20 is suppressed. Therefore, the resistance to vibration of the vibration part 12 due to the water W is reduced. Therefore, since the vibration of the vibration part 12 is stabilized, stable atomization is possible with the atomization apparatus 1D.
In particular, the atomization device is desired to be miniaturized because it is installed in a machine product. When the atomizer is downsized, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 also needs to be made small. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the resistance due to water and reduce the load on the piezoelectric vibrator 10 during vibration. Therefore, it is very effective to reduce the distance L within a range where it does not come into contact with the atomization device.
In addition, although FIG. 11 demonstrated as an example the atomization apparatus 1D which has water W as a main liquid as an atomization object, it is applied similarly to other atomization apparatuses 1A-1C, 1E-1H, 1J, and 1K. I understand that it is possible.

  In the atomizing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least a part of the corner formed by the inner wall of the container which is the lower part of the vibrating portion and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is chamfered. Hereinafter, the atomization apparatus 1D according to the third modification of the second embodiment will be described as an example.

  FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the side of the atomizing device 1D. FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of a P portion in FIG. In FIG. 12, members having the same configurations as those in FIGS. 4A to 4C are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The container 20 is provided with a through hole 70 in the back wall 20-2. The piezoelectric vibrator 10 is attached to the back wall 20-2 of the container 20 from the outside of the container 20. The rectangular portion 12 b of the vibrating portion 12 passes through the through hole 70. A corner 74 is formed by the inner wall 73 of the back wall 20-2 of the container 20 and the inner peripheral surface 70 a of the through hole 70. A chamfer 75 is applied to a corner 74 that is a lower portion of the rectangular portion 12 b of the vibrating portion 12. In FIG. 12B, a corner 74 before chamfering 75 is indicated by a broken line M.
12A and 12B, the liquid level 76 of the water W formed by the corner 74 and the bottom 30a of the opening 30 is indicated by a one-dot chain line N.

Thereby, in the state where chamfering 75 is not performed, the liquid level 76 of the water W is formed so as to rise from the corner 74 as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line N due to the surface tension action, but is provided on the front wall 20-1 of the container 20. If the height of the bottom (bottom) 30a of the opening 30 is insufficiently set, the height of the liquid surface 76 obtained by the surface tension does not reach the rectangular portion 12b of the vibrating portion 12, and an atomizing action is obtained. I can't. Conversely, when the bottom 30a of the opening 30 is raised and the height of the liquid surface 76 is adjusted, as shown by the broken line Z, the surface tension at the corner 74 portion is not maintained, and the liquid surface 76 is broken more than necessary. As a result, the water W adheres to the inner part of the vibration part 12 due to the surface tension. Since the inner part of the vibration part 12 is not a part directly subjected to the atomization action, this imposes a load more than necessary on the vibration part 12, resulting in an inefficient atomization action. In addition, when the liquid level 76 is immersed in the vibration part 12 as shown by the broken line Z, the water W is excessively supplied to the tip surface 12F, and as a result, a load is applied to the vibration part 12 and the efficiency is improved. Poor atomization effect.
However, by chamfering 75 at the corner 74 and adjusting the height of the bottom 30a of the opening 30, the liquid level 76 rises from the upper end of the chamfer due to surface tension as indicated by the dotted line Z1, and at this time, the through hole 70 The surface tension acts in combination with the surface tension at a part of the inner peripheral surface (the portion overlapping the water raised by the surface tension), and as a result, the water W does not reach the back of the vibration part 12. As described above, it is possible to prevent the liquid portion 76 from being formed more than necessary on the vibrating portion 12. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the liquid level adhere to the tip surface 12F of the vibration unit 12 and the vicinity thereof. Therefore, stable and efficient atomization is possible in the atomization apparatus 1D.

The chamfer 75 may be provided on at least a part of the corner 74 located at the lower part of the vibration unit 12. According to this, the liquid level 76 becomes low at the chamfered portion 75, and it is possible to prevent the water W from being unnecessarily adhered over a wide range of the vibrating portion 12, and as a result, the tip surface 12F and the vicinity thereof. It is possible to attach an appropriate amount of water W. Further, the chamfer 75 is not limited to a straight line, but may be a circular arc or a combination of a straight line and a circular arc.
In FIG. 12, the atomizing device 1 </ b> D has been described as an example.

In the atomization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the roughness of the surface tension auxiliary member facing the vibrating portion is Ra = 0.3 to 3.0 μm in terms of the center line average roughness Ra, more preferably Ra. = 1.5 to 2.5 μm.
For example, in the atomization apparatus 1D according to the third modification of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the roughness of the surface 50 a of the surface tension auxiliary member 50 facing the vibration unit 12 is Use this value. Note that it is also possible to make this roughness only on the portion that generates surface tension in cooperation with the vibrating portion 12 instead of the entire surface 50a. As a result, the surface tension generated between the surface tension assisting member and the vibration part is increased, so that the water supply function and the water retention function in the atomization apparatus are improved, and further stable atomization is possible. In addition, although atomizing apparatus 1D was demonstrated as an example, it can apply similarly about other atomizing apparatuses 1A-1C, 1E-1H, 1J, and 1K.

Further, the roughness of the surface of the vibration part facing the surface tension assisting member is preferably set to Ra = 0.3 to 3.0 μm in terms of centerline average roughness Ra, more preferably Ra = 1.5 to 2. 5 μm.
For example, in the atomization apparatus 1D according to the third modification of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the rectangular portion 12 b that is the surface of the vibration portion 12 that faces the surface tension auxiliary member 50. The roughness of the side surface 12s is set to the above value. In addition, it is also possible to make this roughness only the part which produces surface tension in cooperation with the surface tension auxiliary member 50, not the entire surface of the side surface 12s. As a result, the surface tension generated between the surface tension assisting member and the vibration part is increased, so that the water supply function and the water retention function in the atomization apparatus are improved, and further stable atomization is possible. In addition, although atomizing apparatus 1D was demonstrated as an example, it can apply similarly about other atomizing apparatuses 1A-1C, 1E-1H, 1J, and 1K.

  Further, the opposing surfaces of the additional auxiliary member 60 and the second surface tension auxiliary member 58 and the vibrating portion 12 can be made rough as described above. According to this, the water supply function and water retention function in the atomization device are further improved, and stable atomization is possible.

Eighth Embodiment With reference to FIG. 13, an atomizer 1L according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the atomizing device 1L.
The basic configuration of the atomizing device 1L according to the eighth embodiment is the same as that of the atomizing device 1 according to the first embodiment except for the inclination of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 and the like, and the atomization principle is also the same. Since they are the same, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, different parts are denoted by different reference numerals, and the different parts will be mainly described.
The atomizing device 1 </ b> L has a configuration in which an opening 30 is formed above the front wall 20-1 like the atomizing device 1. Therefore, the upper end 20 a of the front wall 20-1 in FIG. 13 corresponds to the bottom 30 a of the opening 30.
In the atomizing device 1L, a cover member 20a-1 is provided on the upper end 20a of the front wall 20-1 (the bottom 30a of the opening 30; hereinafter the same in the atomizing device 1L). The cover member 20a-1 is preferably provided over the entire width of the front wall 20-1. The cover member 20a-1 is formed of a material mainly composed of a resin having water repellency such as a fluororesin, and therefore, the surface of the cover member 20a-1 is in a state where the liquid is very good. It has become.
Instead of the cover member 20a-1, the upper end portion 20a of the front wall 20-1 may be configured to apply a water repellent coating or a water repellent surface treatment as a volatile surface treatment.
Examples of the water-repellent paint include acrylic resin paint and the like, but can be selected within a known range. Also, the water-repellent surface treatment can be selected within a well-known range.

In the above configuration, when a minute vibration or the like is applied to the atomizing device 1L, the water level WF in the container 20 also fluctuates, and in some cases, the water W may overflow from the upper end 20a of the front wall 20-1 as indicated by a broken line. is there. At that moment, the water level WF falls to the fluctuating water level WF1, and accordingly, the amount of water W adhering to the vibrating portion 12 constituting the piezoelectric vibrator 10 changes, and the amount of fog generated also changes. Sometimes.
Even when the surface tension of the water W is restored, the position where the surface tension is formed is, for example, the angle of the inner surface of the front wall 20-1 indicated by the solid water level WF because the surface is once wetted by the water W. As shown by the broken water level WF1 of the broken line, the outer surface of the front wall 20-1 changes to the corner of the front wall 20-1. As a result, the water W overflows from the front wall 20-1 even by a slight vibration, and the water level WF is not stable. The mist generated along with this becomes unstable.
However, as described above, the water repellent action of the cover member 20a-1 is provided by providing the upper end portion 20a of the front wall 20-1 with a water repellent surface treatment or a surface member having water repellency (cover member 20a-1). As a result, the surface tension action of the water W increases, and as a result, even if the water level WF fluctuates due to minute vibrations such that the water W does not overflow, the adhesion to the vibrating portion 12 continues due to the surface tension action of the water W Even if the water W overflows from the front wall 20-1 due to a large vibration, draining can be performed quickly and the surface tension action can be restored quickly. As a result, the adhesion of the water W to the vibrating portion 12 due to the surface tension action is quickly restored. And since the position where surface tension is formed is stabilized at the inner corner of the front wall 20-1, the generation of fog is also stabilized as the water level WF is stabilized.
Thus, by providing the water-repellent structure as described above, the atomizing action from the vibrating portion 12 can be further stabilized, and the reliability of the atomizing device can be improved.

  This is because, in the configuration including the water replenishing unit 40 described with reference to FIG. 1C and the like, water W is replenished vigorously, and draining is performed quickly in the same manner even in a situation where it overflows from the front wall 20-1. The adhesion to the vibration part 12 due to the surface tension effect of the water W is quickly restored.

In the configuration of FIG. 13, the specific configuration, such as attachment of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to a container or the like, is as described in the second to seventh embodiments, and these embodiments It is also possible to provide the above-described water repellent cover member 20a-1 on the bottom 30a of the opening 30 or to perform the water repellent surface treatment on the atomizing apparatuses 1A to 1H, 1J, and 1K.
In addition, it can be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration described in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be easily implemented in conjunction with the installation of the cover member 20a-1 or the water-repellent surface treatment. It does not depart from the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a fragmentary sectional view of the atomization apparatus in 1st Embodiment for demonstrating the atomization principle in the atomization apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective external view of the atomization apparatus in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which illustrated the inside of the atomization apparatus in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows arrangement | positioning of the piezoelectric vibrator and surface tension auxiliary member in the atomization apparatus illustrated in FIG.1 (C). It is sectional drawing seen from the upper part of the atomization apparatus 1 which shows arrangement | positioning of the piezoelectric vibrator illustrated in FIG. 1 (D), a surface tension auxiliary member, and a buffer member. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the particle diameter of the water droplet adhering to the surface of the front-end | tip of the vibration part in a piezoelectric vibrator, and the cumulative volume of the atomization amount when the atomization object liquid is water. 3 (A) and 3 (B) are diagrams illustrating a second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (A) is a diagram of the atomization apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 (C). It is a front view which shows arrangement | positioning of the surface tension auxiliary member to a piezoelectric vibrator, and FIG.3 (B) is A sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 3 (A). FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomizing apparatus that is a third modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomizing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 6 (A) to 6 (C) are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomizing device that is a first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A to 7C are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomizing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8A to 8C are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomizing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8D is an enlarged view of a portion E in FIG. 8C. . FIGS. 9A to 9C are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomization apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9D illustrates an atomization apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning with the additional auxiliary member, a surface tension auxiliary member, and the front end surface of a vibration part. FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views illustrating an atomizing device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10D is an atomizing device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning with the bottom part of the opening part in, a surface tension auxiliary member, and the front end surface of a vibration part. It is a figure which shows the through-hole periphery of the container of the atomization apparatus in this invention. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing the inside from the side of the atomizing device of the present invention, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of a P portion in FIG. FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an atomization device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional atomizer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Piezoelectric vibrator, 11 ... Piezoelectric element, 12 ... Vibrating part, 12F ... Front end surface of vibrating part 20 ... Container, 20-1 ... Front wall, 20a-1 ... Cover member, 20-2 ... Back wall 20-3 ... right side wall, 20-4 ... left side wall, 20-5 ... top wall, 20-6 ... bottom wall 30 ... opening, 30a ... bottom of opening 40 ... water replenishment part 50-58 ... surface tension auxiliary member 60 ... Additional auxiliary member 70 ... through hole of container, 75 ... chamfering

Claims (12)

A container for storing the liquid to be atomized;
A piezoelectric vibrator having a piezoelectric element and a vibrating part connected to the piezoelectric element, the tip of the vibrating part being disposed inside the container and attached to the container;
Liquid level maintaining means for regulating the liquid level so that the liquid is at a liquid level guided to the tip surface of the vibrating part by surface tension;
A surface tension auxiliary member provided in the vicinity of the tip surface of the vibration part, and dipped in the liquid to guide the liquid to the tip surface of the vibration part by surface tension in cooperation with the vibration part;
Have
Opposing surfaces of the vibrating part and the surface tension auxiliary member are parallel.
Atomization device. The liquid level maintaining means is a bottom portion of an opening provided on a wall surface forming the container facing the tip surface of the vibrating portion.
The atomization apparatus of Claim 1. The atomization device includes the surface tension assisting member having a surface facing the side surface of the vibration unit,
An interval between the side surface of the vibration part and the surface of the surface tension auxiliary member becomes narrower toward the tip surface side of the vibration part.
The atomization apparatus of Claim 1 or 2. The atomization device includes the surface tension assisting member having a surface facing the side surface of the vibration unit,
The surface tension auxiliary member is a perpendicular line passing through a lower end of the tip surface of the projection shape in a projection shape in which the surface of the surface tension auxiliary member is projected onto a projection surface defined in a vertical direction and a direction perpendicular to the tip surface. A first shape changing portion in which a horizontal protrusion amount from the lower end of the front end surface increases downward.
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 . The atomization device includes the surface tension assisting member having a surface facing the side surface of the vibration unit,
The surface tension auxiliary member is a projection shape obtained by projecting the surface of the surface tension auxiliary member onto a projection surface defined in a vertical direction and a direction perpendicular to the tip surface. A projecting amount having a second shape change portion that decreases from 0 to 0 toward the upper end of the tip surface;
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 . The atomization device includes an additional auxiliary member provided in the vicinity of the surface tension auxiliary member,
The liquid is guided to the tip surface of the vibrating part using surface tension by cooperation of the surface tension auxiliary member immersed in the liquid and the additional auxiliary member,
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 . The atomization device includes the surface tension assisting member provided between the bottom of the opening of the container and the tip surface of the vibration unit,
The height of the surface tension auxiliary member is higher than the bottom of the opening and less than the upper end of the tip surface, and the width of the surface tension auxiliary member is equal to or greater than the width of the tip surface and the width of the bottom of the opening. Is
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 2-6 . The height of the surface tension assisting member provided between the bottom of the opening of the container and the tip surface of the vibrating part is higher than the bottom of the opening, and the entire tip surface of the vibrating part is Less than the height to which the liquid adheres,
The atomization apparatus of Claim 7 . A plurality of the surface tension assisting members are provided with the vibration part sandwiched between the side surfaces of the vibration part.
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-8 . The container has a through-hole through which the vibration part passes, and an interval between the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole and the vibration part arranged in the through-hole is a range in which the through-hole and the vibration part do not contact each other. To make it smaller,
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-9 . The container has a through-hole through which the vibration part passes, and at least a part of a corner formed by an inner wall of the container located at a lower part of the vibration part and an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole is chamfered,
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-10 . A water repellent surface treatment is applied to the bottom of the opening, or a surface member having water repellency is provided.
The atomization apparatus as described in any one of Claims 2-11 .