Piezoelectric fluid atomizer apparatuses and methods

• US 20060243820A1
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hong Kong Piezo Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Kong Piezo Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ng, Lap Leung
• Granted Patent: US 7,954,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/102.100
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0684 Wicks or the like

Abstract

Piezo aerosol and ultrasonic atomizer apparatuses are disclosed. In some embodiments, a piezo aerosol apparatus may comprise a piezo component defining an opening bonded to a metal plate defining a mist reservoir. The mist reservoir may define a plurality of apertures (or holes) orientated substantially perpendicular, and the opening of the piezo component may be located above the mist reservoir. The piezo aerosol apparatus generally defines a non-symmetric compound, while the ultrasonic atomizer comprises a piezo component and metal plate of substantially the same diameter in length. Other embodiments are also claimed and disclosed.

Claims

2-1. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mist reservoir forms a plateau raised above the top surface of the metal plate adapted to at least partially enter the opening of the piezo component.

7. A piezo aerosol apparatus comprising:

an aerosol component having an outer peripheral edge and comprising a metal plate coupled to a piezo component, the metal plate having a mist reservoir and the piezo component defining an opening proximate the mist reservoir;

a washer adapted to fit over the aerosol component, the washer defining a vertical wall proximate the outer peripheral edge of the aerosol component;

a washer holder to hold the washer and the aerosol component; and

a cap to engage the washer holder and springedly coupled to the washer, wherein the cap is adapted to conceal the aerosol component.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the washer has a general dome shape adapted to limit upward movement of the aerosol component.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a conical spring adapted to springedly couple the washer and the cap.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mist reservoir is adapted to receive a wick and the aerosol component is adapted to contact the wick in response to receiving a voltage.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the washer holder has an “

L”

shaped cross section to support the vertical wall of the washer and the outer peripheral edge of the aerosol component.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mist reservoir defines a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the opening defined by the piezo component such that fluid particles may pass through the aerosol component.

13. A method of constructing a piezo apparatus comprising:

forming a mist reservoir in a metal plate having a top surface, the mist reservoir defining a plurality of openings arranged substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the metal plate;

forming an opening in a piezo component having a bottom surface; and

coupling the top surface of the metal plate to the bottom surface of the piezo component to form a piezo device, wherein the opening of the piezo component is located adjacent to the mist reservoir of the metal plate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the mist reservoir comprises forming a plateau mist reservoir raised above the top surface of the metal plate.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the mist reservoir and the piezo component have a center region and forming the mist reservoir and the opening comprises forming the mist reservoir at approximately the center region of the metal plate and forming the opening at approximately the center region of the piezo component.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising placing a washer over the piezo device to limit the upward movement of the piezo device.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing a washer holder to support the washer and the piezo device.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing a cap to engage the washer holder and conceal the washer and the piezo device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the mist reservoir comprises at least one of drilling and etching the metal plate to form the plurality of openings in the mist reservoir.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising applying an electrical voltage to the piezo device to actuate the piezo device.