JP2006297226A - Mesh nozzle for atomizer and atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mesh nozzle for an inhaler having through-holes of most suitable shapes to increase the atomization quantity of liquid chemical by an atomizer to improve curative effect and the inhaler having high curative effect by providing the mesh nozzle. <P>SOLUTION: Each of the through-holes 80 of the mesh nozzle for the atomizer used for atomizing the liquid chemical and having a plurality of the through-holes has a tapered shape which is narrower toward an outlet surface 13 A and the taper angle of the outlet surface 13A side is ≥40°. As a result, the atomization quantity per one through-hole is increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mesh nozzle for a sprayer and a sprayer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mesh nozzle for a sprayer that is used to atomize a chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution and has a plurality of through holes. And a sprayer having the mesh nozzle.

  Nebulizers used for the treatment of respiratory diseases are required to have the ability to efficiently reach the target affected area in order to improve the therapeutic effect. The sprayed drug solution particles can reach the bronchus, the bronchioles behind them, and even the alveoli if the particle size is reduced. Moreover, the therapeutic effect can be enhanced by securing a sufficient spray amount. Therefore, in order to improve the performance of the sprayer, it is necessary to reduce the spray particle diameter and increase the spray amount.

  In a sprayer having a mesh nozzle, the chemical solution is sprayed through the mesh nozzle. Therefore, the mesh nozzle is an important member that greatly affects the particle size and spray amount of the chemical liquid to be sprayed. In order to reduce the spray particle diameter, it is effective to reduce the outlet diameter of the mesh nozzle. However, simply reducing the outlet diameter increases the resistance to the discharge of the drug solution (hereinafter referred to as discharge resistance), so that the spray amount is reduced and the therapeutic effect as a whole may be reduced. Therefore, in order to improve the spray characteristics of the mesh nozzle, it is necessary not only to reduce the outlet diameter of the mesh nozzle, but also to optimize the shape of the holes and maintain a sufficient spray amount. On the other hand, if the mesh nozzle is made thinner, the discharge resistance becomes smaller and the spray amount can be increased. However, in that case, if the mesh nozzle does not have sufficient rigidity, the mesh nozzle itself will bend, so that sufficient pressure cannot be applied to the chemical solution filling each hole, and the spray amount may be reduced. Therefore, securing the rigidity of the mesh nozzle is also one of the issues for improving the spray characteristics of the mesh nozzle.

As a cross-sectional shape of the through hole of the mesh nozzle, for example, a parabolic one has been proposed. Thereby, fluid resistance can be made small and spray efficiency improves (for example, refer nonpatent literature 1). Further, a taper having a tapered cross section or a stepped cross section is proposed from both sides of the mesh nozzle toward the center of thickness. Thereby, even if the foreign matter is clogged in the hole, if the mesh nozzle is used upside down, the foreign matter is blown away, so that the clogging can be easily eliminated. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Further, a mesh hole processing method in which the cross-sectional shape of the hole is stepped or smooth tapered by laser irradiation has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 2790014 JP-A-7-1172 Shinya Tanaka, 2 others, "Ultra-small mesh nebulizer", OMRON TECHNICS, 2002, Vol.42 No.2, p171-174 Kazuhito Nakamura, “Ultra-fine drilling of ceramic materials using excimer laser”, IEEJ Transaction E, 1997, Vol. 117, No. 1, p15-19

  However, the shape of the through hole of the mesh nozzle proposed in the above document is not proposed as a result of detailed examination of the optimum shape for improving the spray amount. Therefore, in order to increase the spray amount of the chemical solution by the nebulizer and improve the therapeutic effect, it is necessary to further study the shape of the through hole.

  Further, a sprayer having a mesh nozzle is a medical device, and it is desirable that the mesh nozzle be replaced in a short period of time and kept clean because of the property of directly touching the chemical solution. Therefore, in order to enable short-term replacement, it is also a problem to reduce the price of the mesh nozzle.

  In order to reduce the discharge resistance, a measure to reduce the thickness of the mesh nozzle is taken. However, the mesh nozzle with a small thickness tends to have insufficient rigidity, and if the rigidity is insufficient, the mesh nozzle itself will bend, so that sufficient pressure cannot be applied to the chemical solution filling each hole, resulting in a decrease in the spray amount. To do. Therefore, it was necessary to study a structure for ensuring the rigidity of the mesh nozzle. In particular, resin mesh nozzles that can be reduced in price are less rigid than metal mesh nozzles that are generally used, and thus securing rigidity has been a problem.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mesh nozzle for a sprayer that can improve the therapeutic effect by having an optimal through-hole shape for increasing the spray amount of a chemical solution.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a mesh nozzle for a sprayer that can be replaced in a short period of time by reducing the manufacturing cost of the mesh nozzle for the sprayer and can keep the mesh nozzle clean.

  Still another object of the present invention is for a nebulizer that has a structure capable of ensuring sufficient rigidity even when the mesh nozzle is thinned, thereby increasing the amount of the medicinal solution sprayed by the nebulizer and improving the therapeutic effect. It is to provide a mesh nozzle.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a nebulizer having an improved therapeutic effect by having the mesh nozzle.

  The atomizer mesh nozzle in one aspect of the present invention is a atomizer mesh nozzle that is used to atomize a chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution, and has a plurality of through holes. The through hole has a tapered shape that becomes narrower on the outlet face side of the mesh nozzle. The taper angle of the through hole on the outlet surface side is 40 degrees or more.

  As a result of intensive studies on the shape of the through hole of the mesh nozzle, the present inventor has found that the amount of spray per through hole increases by increasing the taper angle on the outlet surface side of the through hole, and the taper angle is 40 degrees. The inventors have found that the amount of spray increases drastically with the above, and have arrived at the present invention. Therefore, according to the mesh nozzle for a sprayer in one aspect of the present invention, the spray amount per through hole can be increased. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a chemical | medical solution reach | attain efficiently to affected parts, such as a patient of a respiratory disease, and can improve a therapeutic effect.

  The atomizer mesh nozzle in another aspect of the present invention is a atomizer mesh nozzle that is used to atomize a chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution and has a plurality of through holes. The through hole has a pyramid shape.

  Compared with a mesh nozzle having a through-hole having a curved shape such as a conical shape, a mesh nozzle having a pyramid-shaped through-hole constituted only by a plane is easy to manufacture a mold. Therefore, according to the mesh nozzle in another aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the mesh nozzle can be reduced. For this reason, the mesh nozzle in another aspect of the present invention is suitable for short-term replacement, and the mesh nozzle can be kept clean, so that the patient can use it with peace of mind. A nebulizer having a mesh nozzle is a medical device, and it is highly desirable that the mesh nozzle be replaced in a short period of time because of the property of directly touching the chemical solution.

  In addition, the pyramid has a larger surface area per volume than the cone. Therefore, in order to reduce the loss of the discharge pressure due to friction, it is generally considered that the shape of the through hole of the mesh nozzle should be conical instead of pyramid. However, as a result of a detailed study comparing the pyramidal through hole and the conical through hole, the present inventor has found that the discharge pressure of the fluid in the mesh nozzle having the pyramidal through hole is conical. It has been found that it is almost inferior to the discharge pressure in a mesh nozzle having a through hole. Therefore, according to the mesh nozzle in another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an inexpensive mesh nozzle that can ensure a spray amount comparable to that of a mesh nozzle having a conical through hole. Thereby, as described above, the mesh nozzle can be replaced in a short time, and the mesh nozzle can be kept clean.

  Further, the atomizer mesh nozzle in still another aspect of the present invention is a atomizer mesh nozzle used for atomizing a chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution and having a plurality of through holes. The through hole has a tapered shape that becomes narrower on the exit surface side of the mesh nozzle. The through hole has a bent shape having a first taper angle on the outlet surface side and a second taper angle smaller than the first taper angle on the inlet surface side of the mesh nozzle.

  As a result of examining the cross-sectional shape of the through hole in detail, the present inventor found that the spray amount depends on the taper angle on the outlet surface side of the through hole, and hardly changes even if the taper angle on the inlet surface side is reduced. . Therefore, according to the mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to still another aspect of the present invention, the inlet diameter of the through holes can be reduced while sufficiently securing the taper angle on the outlet surface side of the through holes. The pitch can be reduced, and the spray amount can be increased as a whole. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a chemical | medical solution reach | attain efficiently to affected parts, such as a patient of a respiratory disease, and can improve a therapeutic effect.

  Preferably, in the mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to the above-mentioned further aspect, the through hole has a conical shape that is broken.

  Thereby, since the conical through hole has a small surface area, it is possible to reduce the loss of the discharge pressure due to friction.

  Preferably, in the mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to the above-described further aspect, the through hole has a shape of a truncated pyramid.

  Thereby, while reducing the manufacturing cost of the mesh nozzle for sprayers, it is possible to secure a spray amount that is almost inferior to the conical shape.

  In the atomizer mesh nozzle according to the still another aspect, preferably, the through hole has a cylindrical shape in the portion having the second taper angle, and has a conical shape in the portion having the first taper angle.

  Thereby, since the surface area of the through-hole of the mesh nozzle for sprayers can be made small, it is possible to reduce the loss of the discharge pressure by friction. Further, in the cylindrical portion, the discharge direction and the through-hole side wall of the mesh nozzle are parallel, and the loss of discharge pressure due to friction can be reduced.

  In the atomizer mesh nozzle according to the still another aspect, preferably, the through hole has a prismatic shape in the portion having the second taper angle and a pyramid shape in the portion having the first taper angle.

  Thereby, while reducing the manufacturing cost of the mesh nozzle for the sprayer, it is possible to ensure the spray characteristics that are almost the same as the case where the inlet side is cylindrical and the outlet side is conical. Further, in the prism portion, the discharge direction and the side wall of the through hole of the mesh nozzle are parallel, and the loss of discharge pressure due to friction can be reduced.

  In the atomizer mesh nozzle in the other aspect described above and still another aspect, the taper angle of the through hole on the outlet face side of the mesh nozzle is preferably 40 degrees or more.

  Thereby, the spraying amount per through-hole can be increased.

  In the atomizer mesh nozzle in each of the above aspects, the mesh nozzle preferably has a grid-like reinforcing structure.

  In order to reduce the discharge resistance, a measure to reduce the thickness of the mesh nozzle is taken. However, a thin mesh nozzle tends to have insufficient rigidity, and if the rigidity is insufficient, the mesh nozzle itself will bend. Therefore, sufficient pressure cannot be applied to the chemical solution filling each hole, resulting in a decrease in the spray amount. To do. As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that by adding a grid-like reinforcing structure to the mesh nozzle, the rigidity can be improved and the spray amount can be increased without increasing the thickness of the mesh nozzle, The present invention has been conceived. Therefore, according to this atomizer mesh nozzle, the spray amount can be increased. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a chemical | medical solution reach | attain efficiently to affected parts, such as a patient of a respiratory disease, and can improve a therapeutic effect.

  A mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to still another aspect of the present invention is a mesh nozzle for a sprayer that is used to atomize a chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution and has a plurality of through holes. , Has a lattice-like reinforcing structure.

  Thereby, the rigidity of the mesh nozzle for atomizers improves like the above-mentioned, and can increase the amount of spraying.

  In the mesh nozzle for atomizer in each of the above-mentioned aspects, the mesh nozzle is preferably made of a highly wear-resistant resin.

  Thereby, compared with the metal mesh nozzle generally used, manufacturing cost can be restrained low. Therefore, an inexpensive mesh nozzle can be provided. As a result, the mesh nozzle can be replaced in a short time, and the mesh nozzle can be kept clean. Moreover, the mesh nozzle for atomizers contacts a vibrating body. Therefore, when the wear resistance is low, the mesh nozzle is worn, and the shavings may be mixed into the chemical solution. It is not preferable that the shavings are sprayed together with the chemical solution and the user of the sprayer inhales it. Furthermore, this shavings can cause the mesh nozzle to become clogged. On the other hand, this problem is solved by using a resin material having high wear resistance.

  Here, as the resin having high wear resistance, for example, polyamide resin, polyester, syndiopolystyrene, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, PPS (poly (phenylene sulfide)) , Epoxy, phenol, polyimide and the like.

  In the mesh nozzle for sprayer in each of the above-described aspects, the mesh nozzle preferably has a configuration manufactured by resin molding.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to manufacture a mesh nozzle at low cost, and an inexpensive mesh nozzle can be provided.

  From the viewpoint of processability in resin molding, it is preferable to use, for example, polysulfone, polyetheretherketone, or PPS (poly (phenylene sulfide)) among resins having high wear resistance.

  The sprayer of this invention is a sprayer which has the said mesh nozzle for sprayers.

  According to the sprayer of the present invention, a sufficient spray amount can be ensured even if the outlet diameter of the through hole of the mesh nozzle is reduced in order to reduce the particle diameter of the sprayed chemical liquid. Therefore, the active ingredient contained in the drug solution can be efficiently reached to the target affected part, and the therapeutic effect can be improved. Moreover, according to the sprayer of this invention, the manufacturing cost of a mesh nozzle can be restrained low. Therefore, the mesh nozzle can be replaced in a short time, and the mesh nozzle can be kept clean.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the mesh nozzle for a sprayer of the present invention, the mesh for a sprayer capable of improving the therapeutic effect by having an optimal through-hole shape for increasing the spray amount of the chemical solution. A nozzle can be provided. Further, according to the mesh nozzle for a sprayer of the present invention, it is possible to replace the spray nozzle in a short period by reducing the manufacturing cost of the spray nozzle, and to provide a mesh nozzle for a sprayer that can keep the mesh nozzle clean. Can do. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a nebulizer mesh nozzle that has a structure capable of ensuring sufficient rigidity to increase the amount of the chemical liquid sprayed by the nebulizer and improve the therapeutic effect. Furthermore, the nebulizer which improved the therapeutic effect by having the said mesh nozzle can be provided. Furthermore, the sprayer which can keep a mesh nozzle clean by having the said mesh nozzle can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a sprayer according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the sprayer 1 of the present embodiment includes an atomizing means 10, a flow path means 20, a liquid supply means 30, and a liquid feeding means 40. The atomizing means 10 and the liquid supply means 30 are connected by the flow path means 20. Further, the liquid feeding means 40 is arranged so as to act on the liquid supply means 30 and to push out the chemical liquid stored in the liquid supply means 30 to the flow path means 20.

  The liquid feeding means 40 includes a motor 41, a first screw gear 42, a second screw gear 43, and a presser lever 44.

  The first screw gear 42 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 41 and meshes with the shaft-like second screw gear 43. The presser lever 44 meshes so as to be movable in the axial direction of the second screw gear 43.

  The liquid supply means 30 includes a liquid storage tank 31 and a piston member 32. The piston member 32 has a flow path portion 32A.

  The liquid storage tank 31 is disposed so that the outer wall 31 </ b> A of the liquid storage tank 31 is in contact with the presser lever 44. The piston member 32 is fitted so as to be in contact with the inner wall 31 </ b> B of the liquid storage tank 31, and the liquid storage tank 31 is installed so as to be movable relative to the piston member 32.

  The channel means 20 has a liquid supply pipe 21. The liquid supply pipe 21 has a liquid supply part 21A.

  The liquid supply pipe 21 is connected to the flow path portion 32A of the piston member 32 at one end.

  The atomizing means 10 includes a vibrator 11, a vibrating body 12, a mesh nozzle 13, a mesh nozzle presser 14, and a spring 15.

  The vibrator 11 is disposed at one end of the vibrating body 12, and the mesh nozzle 13 is disposed so as to contact the atomizing surface 12A at the other end. A region where the atomizing surface 12A and the mesh nozzle 13 are in contact with each other is disposed at a position where liquid can be supplied from the liquid supply portion 21A of the liquid supply pipe 21. The spring 15 presses the mesh nozzle 13 so as to lightly contact the atomizing surface 12A of the vibrating body 12. Thereby, the entrance surface 13 </ b> B of the mesh nozzle 13 is in contact with the atomizing surface 12 </ b> A of the vibrating body 12. Further, the mesh nozzle presser 14 holds a spring 15.

  Next, the operation of the sprayer 1 will be described.

  When the motor 41 is operated, the first screw gear 42 is rotated, and the second screw gear 43 is rotated accordingly. The presser lever 44 moves along the axial direction of the second screw gear 43 and presses the outer wall 31 </ b> A of the liquid storage tank 31. As a result, the liquid storage tank 31 moves relative to the piston member 32, and the capacity of the liquid storage tank 31 decreases. For this reason, the chemical solution inside the liquid storage tank 31 flows into the liquid supply pipe 21 from the flow path portion 32 </ b> A of the piston member 32. The inflowing chemical solution is supplied to the region where the atomizing surface 12A of the vibrating body 12 and the inlet surface 13B of the mesh nozzle 13 are in contact with each other through the liquid supply portion 21A of the liquid supply pipe 21. The supplied chemical liquid is atomized by the synergistic effect of the vibration of the vibrating body 12 and the mesh nozzle 13, and is ejected from the outlet surface 13 </ b> A of the mesh nozzle 13 through the atomizing portion opening 16.

  Next, the mesh nozzle of this Embodiment used for the sprayer 1 of FIG. 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a) and a partially enlarged view (b) showing the appearance of the mesh nozzle 13 of the present embodiment. With reference to Fig.2 (a), the mesh nozzle 13 of this Embodiment has a plate-shaped external shape. Further, referring to FIG. 2B, the mesh nozzle 13 of the present embodiment has a plurality of through holes 80.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section passing through the outlet of the through hole of the mesh nozzle and parallel to the discharge direction. 4 and 5 are schematic perspective views showing the shape of the through holes.

Referring to FIG. 3, the through hole 80 of the mesh nozzle 13 of the present invention has a tapered shape that becomes narrower on the outlet surface 13 </ b> A side of the mesh nozzle. Taper angle theta ₁ at the exit face 13A side of the through-hole 80 is more than 40 degrees. The shape of the through hole 80 can be a conical shape as shown in FIG. 4, for example. Thereby, the spray amount per one can be increased in the through-hole 80, and the therapeutic effect can be improved.

The shape of the through hole 80 may be a pyramid shape as shown in FIG. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the mesh nozzle 13 can be reduced, and the mesh nozzle 13 can be replaced for a short time. 5 has an inlet diameter L1 and an outlet diameter L2. Further, the taper angle theta ₁ at the exit face 13A side and a and b the midpoint of the side facing the bottom surface, respectively, is ∠aPb vertices as P. FIG. 5 shows a case where the entrance and the exit are square. In a general polygon, a straight line passing through the center of gravity of the polygon and passing through the center of gravity and the midpoint of the side closest to the center of gravity is the side of the polygon. L1 and L2 are defined by the distance between two intersecting points. Further, the taper angle θ ₁ is defined as ∠aPb with the two points where the straight line intersects the sides of the polygon as a and b and the apex as P.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section passing through the outlet of the through hole of the mesh nozzle and parallel to the discharge direction. 7 to 10 are schematic perspective views showing the shapes of the through holes.

FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the wall surface of the through hole of the mesh nozzle is linear from the inlet to the outlet. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional shape of the through hole has the first taper angle θ ₁ on the outlet surface 13A side. And may have a folded shape having a _second taper angle θ ₂ smaller than the _first taper angle θ ₁ on the inlet surface 13B side of the mesh nozzle. Thereby, the pitch of through-holes can be made small, As a result, the number of through-hole openings per unit area on the mesh nozzle surface can be increased, and the spray amount can be increased.

The shape of the through-hole 80 that is folded may be a conical shape that is folded as shown in FIG. That is, both the portion and a second portion having a taper angle theta ₂ which has a first taper angle theta ₁ is conical. Thereby, the loss of the discharge pressure by friction can be made small. Further, the shape of the through-hole 80 that is bent may be a pyramid that is bent as shown in FIG. That is, both the portion and a second portion having a taper angle theta ₂ which has a first taper angle theta ₁ is pyramidal. As a result, it is possible to secure a spray amount that is almost the same as a conical shape while reducing the manufacturing cost of the mesh nozzle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the shape of the through-hole 80 which is bent in the middle has a cylindrical shape in the portion having the second taper angle and a conical shape in the portion having the first taper angle. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the portion having the second taper angle may have a prismatic shape, and the portion having the first taper angle may have a pyramid shape. Thereby, in the part of a cylinder or a prism, the discharge direction and the wall surface of the through-hole 80 become parallel, and the loss of the discharge pressure by friction can be made small. The above taper angle theta ₁ at the through holes 80 shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 can be appropriately selected, and is preferably 40 degrees or more. In addition, each of the entrance diameter and exit diameter of the pyramid part of the through-hole 80 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 is decided by the dimension L1 and L2 in a figure similarly to FIG. Further, the taper angle theta ₁ of the through hole 80 shown in FIG. _8, the taper angle theta ₁ of the through hole 80 shown in theta ₂ and 10, similar to FIG. 5, a midpoint of the side facing the bottom surface, respectively, and It is determined by ∠aPb where b is the apex and P is the apex.

In the mesh nozzle as described above, a reinforcing structure as described below may be provided. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the mesh nozzle. FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of the mesh nozzle taken along line XII-XII in FIG. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, mesh nozzle 13 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a disk-shaped mesh portion 13C having a plurality of through holes (not shown) and a reinforcing structure 13D. . Reinforcing structure 13D has a rib 13D ₁ formed along the outer edge at the inlet surface 13B side of the mesh nozzle 13, and a rib 13D ₂ arranged in a grid. The mesh portion 13C and the reinforcing structure 13D of the mesh nozzle 13 may be manufactured integrally or may be separately manufactured and bonded together. Moreover, the said reinforcement structure is not necessarily required, and when the rigidity of a mesh nozzle is insufficient, it can be provided as needed.

  The mesh nozzle of the present embodiment is made of a highly wear-resistant resin, for example, a polyimide resin. However, the mesh nozzle is wear resistant such as polyamide resin, polyester, syndio-type polystyrene, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, PPS (poly (phenylene sulfide)), epoxy, phenol, etc. A highly resinous material may be used as a material.

  Moreover, the mesh nozzle of this Embodiment has the structure manufactured by resin molding.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below.

  A number of through holes were formed in the resin plate to produce a mesh nozzle, and an experiment was conducted to examine the relationship between the taper angle of the through holes and the spray amount.

  A conical through-hole was formed in a polyimide resin plate having a thickness of 50 μm by excimer laser processing (wavelength 348 nm) to produce a mesh nozzle. Four types of mesh nozzles were used, with the exit diameter of the through-hole being 3 μm and only the taper angle being different.

  FIGS. 13A to 13D are photographs showing through-hole portions of four types of mesh nozzles having different taper angles produced as described above, and in particular, cross-sections of mesh nozzles passing through the outlets of the through-holes and parallel to the discharge direction. It is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph. Referring to FIGS. 13A to 13D, the mesh nozzles of FIGS. 13A to 13D were formed with conical through holes having taper angles of 22, 30, 43, and 70 degrees, respectively. .

  The entrance surface side of the produced mesh nozzle was brought into contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and the vibrating body was vibrated by a horn vibrator. Moreover, water was supplied to the area | region where the vibrating body and the mesh nozzle are contacting, it atomized, and the number of spray particles was measured.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the taper angle of the through hole and the number of spray particles obtained as a result of the above experiment. Referring to FIG. 14, when the taper angle of the through hole is increased, the number of spray particles per second per one through hole tends to increase. In particular, the number of spray particles suddenly increased in the vicinity of 40 degrees.

  From this, in order to increase the number of spray particles per through hole, it is effective to increase the taper angle of the through hole, and in particular, it is effective to set it to 40 degrees or more.

  On the other hand, the simulation was performed for the discharge pressure when water was supplied to the inlet at a constant pressure for the conical through holes having different shapes.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the shape of the cross section of the through hole that passes through the outlet of the through hole and is parallel to the discharge direction. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the taper angle on the outlet surface side of the through hole and the discharge pressure obtained as a result of the simulation.

  Referring to FIG. 15, assuming the conical or folded conical through holes shown in (a) to (e), a simulation is performed on the discharge pressure when a water pressure of 50 MPa is applied to the inlet of each through hole. went.

  As a result, referring to FIG. 16, it was found that the discharge pressure at the outlet of the through hole increases as the taper angle on the outlet surface side of the through hole increases. This is consistent with the results of the above experiment. Further, it was found that the discharge pressure depends only on the taper angle on the outlet surface side of the through hole, and does not depend on the size of the inlet of the through hole or the taper angle on the inlet surface side.

  From the above, it has been found that the inlet of the through hole can be reduced while maintaining the discharge pressure by making the taper angle on the inlet surface side of the through hole smaller than the taper angle on the outlet surface side. Thus, it can be seen that the number of through-hole openings on the surface of the mesh nozzle can be increased while maintaining the spray amount per through-hole, and the overall spray amount can be increased.

  Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below.

  A mesh nozzle having a quadrangular pyramidal through-hole and a mesh nozzle having a conical through-hole were produced, and an experiment was conducted to compare the spray amount.

  In the same manner as in Example 1, a mesh nozzle in which a large number of quadrangular through holes were formed in a polyimide resin plate and a mesh nozzle in which a large number of conical through holes were formed were produced. The inlet diameter, outlet diameter, and taper angle of the through holes formed in these two types of mesh nozzles are the same. The entrance surface side of the produced mesh nozzle was brought into contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and the vibrating body was vibrated by a horn vibrator. Moreover, water was supplied to the area | region where the vibrating body and the mesh nozzle are contacting, it atomized, and the spray amount was measured.

  As a result, the spray amount of the mesh nozzle having a quadrangular pyramidal through hole was about 92% of the spray amount of the mesh nozzle having a conical through hole. From this, it was found that the mesh nozzle having a quadrangular pyramidal through hole has spray characteristics almost inferior to those of the mesh nozzle having a conical through hole.

  Here, referring to FIG. 5, the inlet diameter and the outlet diameter in the square pyramid-shaped through hole are defined as the lengths L1 and L2 of one side of the square that becomes the opening and the outlet of the through hole, respectively. Further, the taper angle in the through-holes having a quadrangular pyramid shape is defined as ∠aPb with the midpoints of the sides facing the bottom being a and b and the apex being P.

  Next, the discharge pressure and the discharge flow rate when water is supplied at a constant pressure to the inlets of the quadrangular pyramid through hole and the conical through hole having the same inlet diameter, outlet diameter, and taper angle are compared. A simulation was performed.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the magnitude of the discharge pressure and the discharge flow rate of the quadrangular pyramid-shaped through-hole when the conical-shaped through-hole is 100, obtained as a result of the simulation. Referring to FIG. 17, the discharge pressure and the discharge flow rate of the quadrangular pyramidal through hole with respect to the conical through hole were 90% and 95%, respectively. From the above, it was confirmed from the simulation results that the mesh nozzle having the quadrangular pyramidal through-hole has spray characteristics almost inferior to those of the mesh nozzle having the conical through-hole.

  On the other hand, a mesh nozzle was produced by resin molding using polysulfone resin as a material, and an experiment for examining spray characteristics was conducted.

  FIG. 18 is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph showing the appearance of the produced mesh nozzle. Referring to FIG. 18, the mesh nozzle has a thickness of 70 μm, and the through hole has a quadrangular pyramid shape with an outlet of 4 μm square and an inlet of 80 μm square. The upper side of the photograph is the inlet surface side of the through hole of the mesh nozzle, and the lower side is the outlet surface side.

  The entrance surface side of the produced mesh nozzle was brought into contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and the vibrating body was vibrated by a horn vibrator. Moreover, water was supplied to the area | region where the vibrating body and the mesh nozzle are contacting, it atomized, and the spray particle diameter and the spray amount were measured.

  As a result, the average particle size was 7 μm, and the spray amount was 0.25 ml / min. Since the average diameter of spray particles of a general sprayer is about 5 μm and the spray amount is about 0.35 ml / min, it was found that sufficient spray characteristics can be obtained even with a mesh nozzle having pyramidal through holes.

  Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below.

  An experiment was conducted in which a mesh nozzle having a conical through hole and a mesh nozzle having a folded conical through hole were produced, and the spray amount was compared.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional shape passing through the outlet of the through hole of the produced mesh nozzle and parallel to the discharge direction. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the openings of the through holes on the inlet surface of the mesh nozzle.

  Referring to FIG. 19, the outlet diameter of each through hole is 3 μm, the taper angle on the outlet surface side is 72 degrees, and the thickness of the mesh nozzle is 50 μm. The conical through hole has an inlet diameter of 75 μm. On the other hand, the tapered cone-shaped through hole has a taper angle changed at a position of 20 μm thickness from the through hole exit surface side, and has an inlet diameter of 55 μm.

  Referring to FIG. 20, the through hole is formed with the shortest distance between the edges of the entrances of adjacent through holes being 5 μm. As a result, the distance (pitch) between the centers of the openings of the through holes on the entrance surface was 80 μm for the conical through holes and 60 μm for the half-broken conical through holes.

  The inlet surface side of the mesh nozzle was brought into contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and the vibrating body was vibrated by a horn vibrator. Moreover, water was supplied to the area | region where the vibrating body and the mesh nozzle are contacting, it atomized, and the spray amount was measured.

  As a result, the mesh nozzle having a half-broken conical-shaped through hole had a spray amount of 70% greater than that of the mesh nozzle having the conical-shaped through hole. Here, due to the difference in pitch of the through holes, the number of openings of the through holes per unit area of the mesh nozzle surface is increased by about 78%. Therefore, it is considered that the amount of spray increased corresponding to the ratio of the number of through holes. From this, it was confirmed that increasing the number of through-holes with the through-holes being in a bent shape is effective in increasing the spray amount.

  Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described below.

  An experiment in which a mesh nozzle having a through-hole having a cylindrical shape on the inlet surface side and a conical shape on the outlet surface side and a mesh nozzle having a conical through-hole are produced, and the spray amount is compared. Went.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional shape passing through the outlet of the through hole of the produced mesh nozzle and parallel to the discharge direction. Referring to FIG. 21, the mesh nozzle (b) having a through hole having a cylindrical shape on the inlet surface side and a conical shape on the outlet surface side has the same thickness as the mesh nozzle (a) having a conical through hole. This is a combination of mesh nozzles having cylindrical through holes. Note that the mesh nozzle is made of polysulfone resin.

  The inlet surface side of the mesh nozzle was brought into contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and the vibrating body was vibrated by a horn vibrator. Moreover, water was supplied to the area | region where the vibrating body and the mesh nozzle are contacting, it atomized, and the spray amount was measured.

  As a result, the spray amount of the mesh nozzle (b) having a through hole having a cylindrical shape on the inlet surface side and a conical shape on the outlet surface side is three times that of the mesh nozzle (a) having a conical through hole. . This indicates that the effect of improving the rigidity of the mesh nozzle is greater than the effect of increasing the discharge resistance due to the increase in thickness. Therefore, when the thickness is increased for the purpose of improving the rigidity of the mesh nozzle, the shape of the through hole is a tapered shape that is narrowed on the exit surface side, preferably a cylindrical shape on the entrance surface side, and a conical shape on the exit surface side. It can be seen that an increase in the spray amount can be expected by making the shape.

  Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described below.

  A mesh nozzle having a grid-like reinforcing structure and a mesh nozzle not having the same were manufactured, and an experiment was conducted to compare the spray amount.

  22 (a) and 22 (b) are schematic plan views of the mesh nozzle used in the experiment. FIGS. 23A and 23B are schematic cross-sectional views of the mesh nozzle along XXIII-XXIII in FIGS. 22A and 22B. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the mesh nozzle (a) having the reinforcing member has ribs surrounding the edge of the inlet surface and grid-like ribs. Both mesh nozzles have a square shape with a side of 4.3 mm square, and the thickness of the mesh portion is 50 μm. The rib has a width of 100 μm and a thickness of 200 μm.

  The inlet surface side of the mesh nozzle was brought into contact with the atomizing surface of the vibrating body, and the vibrating body was vibrated by a horn vibrator. Moreover, water was supplied to the area | region where the vibrating body and the mesh nozzle are contacting, it atomized, and the spray amount was measured.

  As a result, the spray amount of the mesh nozzle having the reinforcing structure was three times the spray amount of the mesh nozzle having no reinforcing structure. Here, the rigidity of the mesh nozzle having the reinforcing structure is 10 times that of the mesh nozzle having no reinforcing structure. Therefore, it can be considered that the spray amount increased due to the improvement in rigidity by the reinforcing structure.

  In the present embodiment and examples, the resin mesh nozzle has been described. However, the mesh nozzle of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be made of metal or ceramic, for example.

  The embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as being restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  A mesh nozzle for a sprayer and a sprayer according to the present invention are used for atomizing a chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution, and have a plurality of through holes, and the mesh nozzle. It can be applied particularly advantageously to a nebulizer with.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sprayer in one embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view (a) and partial enlarged view (b) which show the external appearance of the mesh nozzle in this Embodiment. It is a general | schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the cross section which passes the exit of the through-hole of a mesh nozzle, and is parallel to a discharge direction. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the shape of the through-hole. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the shape of the through-hole. It is a general | schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the cross section which passes the exit of the through-hole of a mesh nozzle, and is parallel to a discharge direction. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the shape of the through-hole. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the shape of the through-hole. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the shape of the through-hole. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the shape of the through-hole. It is a schematic plan view of a mesh nozzle. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the mesh nozzle along the XII-XII line of FIG. It is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph of the section of a mesh nozzle which passes through the exit of a through hole and is parallel to the discharge direction. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the taper angle of a through-hole, and the number of spray particles. It is a general | schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the shape of the cross section of the through-hole parallel to a spraying direction through the exit of the through-hole made into the object of simulation. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the taper angle in the exit surface side of a through-hole, and discharge pressure obtained as a result of simulation. It is a figure which shows the magnitude | size of the discharge pressure and discharge flow rate of a square-pyramidal through-hole when the conical through-hole is set to 100 obtained as a result of simulation. It is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph which shows the external appearance of the produced mesh nozzle. It is a general | schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the shape of a cross section which passes the exit of the through-hole of the produced mesh nozzle, and is parallel to a discharge direction. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the opening of the through-hole in the entrance surface of a mesh nozzle. It is a general | schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the shape of a cross section which passes the exit of the through-hole of the produced mesh nozzle, and is parallel to a discharge direction. It is a schematic plan view of the mesh nozzle used for experiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the mesh nozzle which follows XXIII-XXIII of Fig.22 (a) (b).

Explanation of symbols

1 sprayer, 10 atomizing means, 11 vibrator, 12 vibrator, 13 mesh nozzle, 13A mesh nozzle exit plane, 13B mesh nozzle inlet face, 13C mesh portion, 13D reinforcing structure, a rib formed along 13D ₁ outer edge , 13D ribs arranged in _two grids, 14 mesh nozzle holder, 15 spring, 16 atomization opening, 20 flow path means, 21 liquid supply pipe, 21A liquid supply pipe liquid supply part, 30 liquid supply means, 31 storage Liquid tank, 31A Liquid storage tank outer wall, 31B Liquid storage tank inner wall, 32 Piston member, 32A Piston member flow path portion, 40 Liquid feed means, 41 Motor, 42 First screw gear, 43 Second screw gear, 44 Presser Lever, 80 through hole.

Claims (13)

A nebulizer mesh nozzle that is used to atomize the chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution, and has a plurality of through holes,
The through hole has a tapered shape that becomes narrower on the exit surface side of the mesh nozzle,
The atomizer mesh nozzle, wherein a taper angle of the through hole on the outlet surface side is 40 degrees or more. A nebulizer mesh nozzle that is used to atomize the chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution, and has a plurality of through holes,
The mesh nozzle for a sprayer, wherein the through hole has a pyramid shape. A nebulizer mesh nozzle that is used to atomize the chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution, and has a plurality of through holes,
The through hole has a tapered shape that becomes narrower on the exit surface side of the mesh nozzle,
The through-hole has a first taper angle on the outlet surface side and a bent shape having a second taper angle smaller than the first taper angle on the inlet surface side of the mesh nozzle. There are mesh nozzles for sprayers.   The mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to claim 3, wherein the through hole has a conical shape that is broken.   The mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to claim 3, wherein the through hole has a shape of a pyramid that is bent halfway.   The atomizer mesh nozzle according to claim 3, wherein the through hole has a cylindrical shape in a portion having the second taper angle and a conical shape in a portion having the first taper angle.   4. The atomizer mesh nozzle according to claim 3, wherein the through hole has a prismatic shape in a portion having the second taper angle and a pyramid shape in a portion having the first taper angle. 5.   The mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a taper angle of the through hole on the outlet surface side of the mesh nozzle is 40 degrees or more.   The mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mesh nozzle has a lattice-like reinforcing structure. A nebulizer mesh nozzle that is used to atomize the chemical solution in a sprayer for atomizing and ejecting the chemical solution, and has a plurality of through holes,
The mesh nozzle has a grid-like reinforcement structure, and is a mesh nozzle for a sprayer.   The mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a resin having high wear resistance is used as a material.   The mesh nozzle for a sprayer according to claim 11, having a configuration manufactured by resin molding.   The sprayer which has the mesh nozzle for sprayers in any one of Claims 1-12.

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