Oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizer inhaler

• US 4,790,479 A
• Filed: 02/08/1988
• Issued: 12/13/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. (Omron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. (Omron Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Kazuhiro, Asai, Kei, Yamamoto, Hirohito
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Forman, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US07/154,461
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 239/102.2, 261/81, 261/DIG. 48, 128/200.16
• US Class Current: 239/102.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0623 coupled with a vibrating horn
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0684 Wicks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/48 Sonic vibrators

Abstract

This oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler includes an oscillation element which is excited to vibrate ultrasonically, and this oscillation element has two adjoining regions which have substantially different vibrational characteristics. Liquid supply is made to one of the regions, and the oscillation for atomization takes place in the other region, according to the particular frequency of ultrasonic excitation of the oscillation element which is appropriately chosen. The region to which liquid is supplied has a resonance frequency which is different from that of the region for atomization, and substantially no atomization takes place in the liquid supply region. Therefore, even when the load imposed on the oscillation element by liquid thereon changes, as for example if the amount of the liquid thereon has changed, oscillation of a constant frequency continues in the atomization region, and thereby proper atomization is maintained. Thus, there is provided an ultrasonic atomizer which effects proper supply of liquid to be atomized, which does not cause oversupply or undersupply of liquid to be atomized, and which further can handle fluids of various different viscosities, including even quite viscous liquid, and is not wasteful of atomization liquid. Thus, this ultrasonic atomizer is not uneconomical during use. Further, it is not prone to dribbling of atomization liquid, and thus is not liable to cause a mess.

Claims

1. An oscillation apparatus for atomizing a liquid in an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, said apparatus comprising:

an oscillation element having a liquid receiving region and an atomization region, said liquid receiving region and said atomization region having different fundamental frequencies of vibration; and

a drive means for exciting said oscillation element to vibrate ultrasonically, said drive means having a driving frequency substantially equivalent to a resonant frequency of said atomization region, said drive means causing said atomization region to vibrate with a large amplitude and said liquid receiving region to vibrate with a smaller amplitude, so that constant atomization of the liquid is obtained even if the liquid supply load on said oscillating element changes.

2. An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 1, wherein said oscillation element is substantially disk-shaped.

3. An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 2, wherein said regions of said plate shaped oscillation element have respective edges which are separated by different distances from a central point of said plate.

4. An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 3, wherein said plate shaped oscillation element is shaped as a circular disk with two portions cut away by two chords.

5. An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 4, wherein said two portions cut away by two chords are substantially diametrically opposite, on said plate shaped oscillation element.

6. An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 1, wherein said disk shaped oscillation element has a hemispherical cut-out portion cut away by a chord.

7. An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising a means for exciting said oscillation element so as to cause it to vibrate ultrasonically, selectable to either of two different frequencies.