JPH1052669A - Ultrasonic vibrator unit, ultrasonic cleaning device, and throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily generate uniform ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic gene- ratting surface, easily adjust the vibration of each vibrator, restrain vibration loss as far as possible, and join a cleaning tank and an ultrasonic vibrator in a stable manner. SOLUTION: In an ultrasonic vibrator unit 2, an ultrasonic generating surface and a base having mount parts on its periphery are provided, and at least one piezoelectric element 21a is pinchedly held by a stud bolt 21b through a metal block 21e and mounted on a base at a plurality of positions. The unit 2 is mounted to a mount hole provided in a cleaning tank, or a throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device whose surface excluding an ultrasonic generating surface is put into a tightly closed case is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic vibrator using a piezoelectric ceramic element and an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus using the ultrasonic vibrator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among ultrasonic cleaning apparatuses generally used at present, there is a cleaning apparatus using a frequency of several tens KHz using a bolted Langevin type vibrator as an ultrasonic vibration source. The cleaning device using this bolted Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator is capable of high power input, and the vibrator is bonded to the bottom or side surface of the cleaning tank with a bonding material or fixed with screws or the like. It is used. Then, the object to be cleaned and the cleaning liquid are put into the cleaning tank, and ultrasonic waves are radiated to these to generate cavitation (also called cavitation) in the liquid, and the dirt attached to the object to be cleaned due to the impact force. Were directly crushed and decomposed in the washing liquid, or the washing was performed by utilizing the particle acceleration. FIG. 9 shows the ultrasonic radiating surfaces of the bolt-fastened Langevin type ultrasonic vibrators 91, 92, 93, 94 with the cleaning tank 8.
2 shows an example of fixing to the bottom of a. This fixation is for washing tank 1
This is performed by a method of screwing a bolted Langevin type vibrator to the male screw welded to the lower surface of the cleaning tank, or a method of bonding to the bottom of the cleaning tank with an adhesive. By supplying a drive signal synchronized from the oscillator to the terminal of each ultrasonic transducer, each ultrasonic transducer is driven, and the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank is ultrasonically radiated from the ultrasonic transducer. Wash.
Note that oscillators, lead wires, and the like involved in the supply of the drive signal are not shown.

[0003]

The method of fixing the ultrasonic vibrator to the cleaning tank has the following disadvantages. In other words, in the method of screwing into the male screw provided in the cleaning tank, the ultrasonic radiation surface is strongly adhered to the cleaning tank in the vicinity of the screw, whereas the adhesive force is small near the end far from the screw. is there. When the ultrasonic wave is emitted in such a state, the intensity of the ultrasonic wave is not uniform in the cleaning tank, and the unevenness W2 of the sound pressure occurs as shown in FIG. Such unevenness in sound pressure has caused unevenness in the cleaning state of the object to be cleaned. In addition, in the bonding method using an adhesive, heat generated when the ultrasonic vibrator is driven or heat in the cleaning tank causes the adhesive to peel off, and the bonding state between the ultrasonic vibrator and the cleaning tank becomes unstable. was there. Further, since it is necessary to adjust the vibration balance so as to obtain an optimum resonance state in a state where the ultrasonic vibrator is attached to the cleaning tank, it is necessary to adjust the ultrasonic vibrator individually after attaching it to the cleaning tank. Furthermore, when the ultrasonic vibrator is firmly screwed into the cleaning tank, distortion occurs in the mounting portion of the cleaning tank, and the bottom surface 81 of the cleaning tank is twisted, causing erosion (corrosion phenomenon).

[0004] The present invention facilitates uniform ultrasonic emission from the ultrasonic emission surface, facilitates adjustment of vibration of each vibrator portion, minimizes the loss of vibration, minimizes vibration of the cleaning tank, and controls the ultrasonic vibration. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic vibrator, an ultrasonic cleaning device, and a throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device capable of stably performing bonding with a transducer, and capable of emitting ultrasonic waves in an arbitrary direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic vibrator, an ultrasonic cleaning device, and a throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An ultrasonic transducer unit according to the present invention has a base having an ultrasonic radiation surface and a mounting portion around the base, and at least one piezoelectric element at a plurality of positions on the base. Is mounted in a state sandwiched by stud bolts via a metal block, and this unit is attached to a mounting hole provided in a cleaning tank to be a stationary ultrasonic cleaning device, Alternatively, a throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device in which a portion other than the ultrasonic radiation surface is stored in a sealed case is configured. Further, by making at least a part of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface convex or concave, the direction in which the ultrasonic wave is emitted is controlled.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ultrasonic transducer unit according to the present invention has a base having an ultrasonic radiation surface and a mounting portion for mounting around the base, and a plurality of positions on one surface of the base. The piezoelectric element is mounted in a state where the piezoelectric element is sandwiched by stud bolts via a metal block. The base is made of metal such as stainless steel,
It is preferable that the mounting portion has a configuration that is thinner than the base body or a configuration that is separated from the piezoelectric element mounting region. Further, the base body may be configured to have a portion whose thickness is gradually reduced from the base body to the mounting portion.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of sets of the piezoelectric element and the metal block are fixed on the base.
Adjustment as an ultrasonic transducer unit can be easily performed while adjusting the vibration characteristics of each set. In addition, if the mounting portion formed on the base is thinner than the base or is away from the piezoelectric element mounting area, the vibration energy vibrating strongly in the base body is attenuated. It is transmitted to the mounting part. That is, the vibration energy is sufficiently small in the mounting part, and even if this part is used to mount other components, the vibration state of the whole unit does not change significantly, and fine adjustment after mounting is performed. Need not be performed.

In addition, the above-mentioned ultrasonic vibrator unit is hermetically attached to a cleaning tank having a mounting hole for the ultrasonic vibrator unit, and an oscillator for supplying a drive signal to the ultrasonic vibrator unit. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus provided, wherein the mounting portion of the ultrasonic vibrator unit and the periphery of the mounting hole are hermetically connected so that ultrasonic waves are radiated into the cleaning tank. . Examples of the airtight joining include an example of joining by screwing with a bolt via a packing or an example of joining by welding.

According to the above configuration, as described above, the vibration energy is sufficiently small in the mounting portion. Even if the mounting portion is used to mount the cleaning tank in the mounting hole, the vibration state of the entire unit is maintained. There is no significant change, and fine adjustment after mounting does not have to be performed. Further, since the base forms a front mass having an ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the bolted Langevin type piezoelectric vibrator, the base generally has a large thickness and a heavy mass as a whole. Therefore, even if the piezoelectric element, the metal block, and the like are fastened and fixed with the stud bolt, the base is not distorted. As a result, the variation in the intensity of the ultrasonic waves in the cleaning tank, which has conventionally been a problem, can be extremely reduced.
As shown by W1, it is possible to obtain ultrasonic radiation with substantially uniform sound pressure over the entire ultrasonic radiation surface. Further, generation of erosion can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the bonding between the cleaning tank and the ultrasonic vibrator unit can be performed without using an adhesive, the bonding state is unstable even when the ultrasonic vibrator unit becomes hot during driving or the like. It does not become.

[0010] Further, at least one of the above-described ultrasonic vibrator units is hermetically attached to a sealed case having at least one mounting hole for the ultrasonic vibrator unit, and drive energy is supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator unit. A throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device comprising an oscillator and a cable to be supplied, wherein an attachment portion of the ultrasonic vibrator unit and the periphery of the attachment hole are hermetically connected so that ultrasonic waves are radiated outside. May be adopted.

According to the above construction, there is provided a cast-in type ultrasonic cleaning apparatus which does not require fine adjustment after mounting, has a very small variation in ultrasonic radiation intensity, and can be used as a bonding method without using an adhesive. Can be.

Further, in each of the above structures, a convex portion having a gradually increasing thickness is formed on a part or the entirety of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and conversely, a gradually thinner portion is formed on a part or the entirety of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. May be formed.

In the above configuration, by forming a convex portion having a gradually increasing thickness on a part or the whole of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the ultrasonic wave can be emitted at a wider angle, and the cleaning area of the cleaning device can be increased. Can be spread. Further, by forming a concave portion having a gradually decreasing thickness on a part or all of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the ultrasonic wave can be more converged and emitted, and spot cleaning can be performed efficiently.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus in which an ultrasonic vibrator is attached to a cleaning tank, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. The ultrasonic vibrator unit 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of bolted Langevin type ultrasonic vibrators 21, 22, 23, and 24 are arranged on a base 20, and at least a piezoelectric element and electrodes are provided on the base. And a metal block, and a plurality of sets of stud bolts for fastening and fixing these components. The base 20 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel and has a trapezoidal shape as a whole, and a plurality of bolt holes 20d (only a part is shown in FIG. 2) on the surface opposite to the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 20c.
Are formed in a matrix at predetermined intervals.
Around the ultrasonic radiation surface of the base, a flange portion 20a thinner than the base main body is formed to form a mounting portion.
0b is provided. As partially illustrated in FIG. 2, an annular piezoelectric element 21 a made of ceramics such as lead titanium zirconate is placed in contact with the base at a bolt hole 20 d formed in the base 20, An annular electrode plate 21b having an extraction electrode portion thereon, an annular piezoelectric element 21c, an annular electrode plate 21d having an extraction electrode portion, a metal block made of stainless steel or the like and having a through hole formed in the center portion. 21e, and stud bolt 2
It is fastened and fixed at 1f. Thus, the ultrasonic transducer unit 2 in which the set of the bolted Langevin type ultrasonic transducer is arranged on one base is constituted. Although not shown, a large number of ultrasonic transducers are often arranged in a matrix from a practical point of view.

The vibration state of the ultrasonic transducer unit is adjusted by, for example, monitoring the resonance waveform of the entire unit with an impedance analyzer and adjusting the stud bolt tightening state. Also, the capacitance of the ultrasonic transducers is adjusted by a capacitance meter so that the capacitances of the ultrasonic transducers become equal. By finely adjusting the tightening conditions in this manner, uniform characteristics can be obtained as a whole.

Since the ultrasonic transducer unit 2 has the flange portion 20a as described above, the ultrasonic transducer unit 2 is attached to the through hole 11 provided in the cleaning tank by using the flange portion. Bolts 41a, 42a and nuts 41 are provided in through holes provided in the cleaning tank and the ultrasonic vibrator unit.
b and 42b. Although only two sets are shown in the drawings, in practice, more sets of bolts and nuts are used. The packings 41c, 42c
Airtightness is ensured by interposing The ultrasonic transducer unit is driven by supplying a drive signal from the oscillator 3 to each electrode plate via the cable 31. With the above configuration, an ultrasonic cleaning device can be obtained.

In order to prevent the vibration energy of the base body from being transmitted to other components such as the cleaning tank, the distance between the entire base and the mounting hole is increased by means such as increasing the size of the flange as much as possible. It is necessary to design to take

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is an internal structural view of the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device. The throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device performs cleaning by putting the cleaning device main body into a cleaning tank containing an object to be cleaned and a cleaning liquid. For this reason, high airtightness is required for the cleaning device body. The base 50 of the throw-in type cleaning device 5 is provided with a bolt hole and a flange portion as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the flange portion 50a has an inclined portion 50b whose thickness gradually decreases from the base body. Thereby, the mechanical strength of the flange portion can be increased, and the vibration resistance can be improved. On the base,
An ultrasonic vibrator 51 in which respective components such as a piezoelectric element, an electrode plate, and a metal block are fastened and fixed by stud bolts,
52, 53 and 54 are arranged. More ultrasonic transducers may be arranged in a matrix. These ultrasonic vibrators are hermetically sealed by a case 55,
Cables connected to the respective electrode plates via the seal portions 55a are led out. The cable is connected to the oscillator 3 and supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer unit.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is an internal structural view of the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device. In this embodiment, an example is described in which an ultrasonic wave radiating surface is formed at a plurality of locations and a single piezoelectric element is included in each ultrasonic transducer. That is, each of the ultrasonic transducers 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69 attached to the bases 60, 65
Each is composed of one piezoelectric element (shown by hatching with grid lines), an electrode plate, an insulating block (shown by hatching with vertical lines), a metal block, and stud bolts. The flange portion formed on the base is formed at a position away from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. According to this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave can be radiated in multiple directions as a whole, which contributes to the improvement of the cleaning ability in a limited space.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, several examples (FIGS. 5 to 7) in which the shape of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is changed are shown. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning apparatus shown in the second embodiment, the same structural parts will be described with the same numbers, and the description will be partially omitted.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the ultrasonic radiation surface 50c of the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device has a convex shape whose thickness gradually increases toward its central portion. This convex portion may be provided on the entire ultrasonic wave emitting surface, may be provided on a part thereof, or may be provided at several places. Further, an ultrasonic radiation surface 50 having a flat portion at the center of the convex portion as shown in FIG.
e may be used. By adopting such a configuration, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 5 and 7, ultrasonic waves are emitted at a wider angle.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the ultrasonic radiation surface 50d of the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device has a concave shape whose thickness gradually decreases toward the center thereof. The concave portion may be provided on the entire ultrasonic radiation surface, may be provided on a part thereof, or may be provided at several places. By employing such a configuration, the ultrasonic waves are more converged and emitted as indicated by the arrows in FIG.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment has the same structural parts as those of the first embodiment in the mounting configuration of the piezoelectric element and the like.
The ultrasonic radiation surface 20e of the base on which the ultrasonic vibrators 21, 22, 23, and 24 are attached has a configuration in which a plurality of concave portions are formed. The arrangement of the concave portions is formed in accordance with the state of the object to be cleaned, so that the ultrasonic waves partially emitted are concentrated. Further, a cylindrical mounting portion 20f is mounted around the base, and the outer periphery of the base and a part of the mounting portion are welded and joined, so that water leakage does not occur. The cylindrical cleaning tank frame 12 is screwed to the upper portion of the mounting portion 20f by bolts 43a and 44a. The threaded portion overlaps the mounting portion 20f and the cleaning tank frame 12 and is fastened and fixed by means of bolts 43a, 44a and nuts 43b, 44b via packings 43c, 44c so as not to leak water. Although not shown, in practice, a larger number of locations are tightened and fixed with bolts and nuts.

By adopting such a configuration, since the ultrasonic radiation surface is provided with irregularities so that the ultrasonic radiation is concentrated at the position where the object to be cleaned is thrown, an efficient method according to the application is provided. Washing can be performed. Of course, the configuration of the mounting portion of the ultrasonic vibration unit also has a flange portion as described in the embodiment of the base 1, and there is no problem even if it is configured to be mounted on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank.

[0025]

According to the first aspect, since a plurality of sets (ultrasonic vibrators) of the piezoelectric element and the metal block are fixed on one base, the vibration characteristics of each set are adjusted. Adjustment as an ultrasonic transducer unit can be easily performed.
As a result, the unevenness of the sound pressure of the emitted ultrasonic waves can be minimized, and stable ultrasonic emission without unevenness can be performed.

The vibration energy of the base body is attenuated and transmitted to the mounting portion, where the vibration energy is sufficiently small. Therefore, even when this component is used to mount other components, the vibration state of the unit does not significantly change, and fine adjustment after the mounting is not required.

According to the second aspect, the vibration energy in the mounting portion is sufficiently small, and the vibration state of the unit is greatly changed even if the mounting portion is used to mount the cleaning tank on the mounting hole. It is not necessary to perform the fine adjustment after the mounting. In addition, since the base forms a heavy front mass having an ultrasonic radiation surface of a bolted Langevin type piezoelectric vibrator, the base is distorted even if the piezoelectric element, metal block, etc. are tightened and fixed with stud bolts. Nothing. This makes it possible to extremely reduce the variation in the intensity of the ultrasonic waves in the cleaning tank, which has been a problem in the past, and to suppress the occurrence of erosion at the bottom of the cleaning tank, which has conventionally occurred. Also, since the bonding between the cleaning tank and the ultrasonic vibrator unit can be performed without using an adhesive, the bonding state is unstable even when the ultrasonic vibrator unit becomes hot during driving or the like. It does not become.

Accordingly, an ultrasonic wave capable of facilitating uniform ultrasonic wave emission from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, suppressing a loss of vibration as much as possible, and stably joining the cleaning tank and the ultrasonic vibrator. A cleaning device can be obtained.

According to the third aspect, uniform ultrasonic emission from the ultrasonic emission surface is facilitated, the loss of vibration is suppressed as much as possible, and the bonding between the cleaning tank and the ultrasonic transducer is stably performed. It is possible to obtain a throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning apparatus that can perform the cleaning.

According to the fourth aspect, by forming a convex portion having a gradually increasing thickness on a part or the whole of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the ultrasonic wave can be emitted at a wider angle, and the cleaning device can be cleaned. The area can be expanded. According to the fifth aspect, by forming a concave portion having a gradually decreasing thickness in a part or the whole of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface, the ultrasonic wave can be more converged and emitted, and the local cleaning can be performed. It can be performed efficiently. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the configuration of the fourth and fifth aspects, it is possible to perform the optimum cleaning corresponding to the structure and arrangement of the object to be cleaned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal structural view of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an internal structural diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an internal structure diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an internal structure diagram showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an internal structural diagram showing another example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an internal structural diagram showing another example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an internal structural diagram showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,8 cleaning tank 2,5,6 ultrasonic transducer unit 20,50,55 base 20a, 50a, 60a flange part (mounting part) 21,22,23 , 24, 51, 52, 53, 54, 6
1,62,63,64,66,67,68,69 ...
Ultrasonic vibrator 24a: piezoelectric element 24b, 24d: electrode plate 24e: rear mass 24f: stud bolt

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A base having an ultrasonic radiating surface and having a mounting portion around the ultrasonic radiating surface, and piezoelectric elements provided at a plurality of positions on a surface of the base opposite to the ultrasonic radiating surface. An ultrasonic vibrator unit characterized in that the ultrasonic vibrator unit is attached while being held between stud bolts via a metal block. 2. An oscillator for airtightly mounting the ultrasonic vibrator unit according to claim 1 in a cleaning tank in which a mounting hole for the ultrasonic vibrator unit is formed, and supplying a drive signal to the ultrasonic vibrator unit. An ultrasonic cleaning device comprising: a mounting portion of an ultrasonic vibrator unit and a periphery of the mounting hole are hermetically connected so that ultrasonic waves are emitted into a cleaning tank. apparatus. 3. The ultrasonic vibrator unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one ultrasonic vibrator unit is hermetically attached to a sealed case having at least one mounting hole for the ultrasonic vibrator unit. A throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device including an oscillator and a cable for supplying drive energy, wherein an attachment portion of an ultrasonic vibrator unit and the periphery of the attachment hole are hermetically connected so that ultrasonic waves are radiated outside. A throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion having a gradually increasing thickness is formed on a part or all of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, or the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 3. 5. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion having a gradually decreasing thickness is formed in a part or the whole of the ultrasonic radiation surface. An ultrasonic cleaning device, or the throw-in type ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 3.