EP0174033A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler
Assignee: Omron Corp
•
Filing: 1985-09-09
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2005-09-09
Abstract
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 affects 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Matsumoto
- 👤 Kei Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Asai
- 👤 Hirohito Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0607; B05B17/0653; B05B17/0676; B05B17/0684; A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0085; B05B17/0623; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, comprising an oscillation element which is excited to vibrate ultrasonically, wherein said element comprises two adjoining regions which have substantially different vibrational characteristics.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, comprising an oscillation element which is excited to vibrate ultrasonically, wherein said element comprises two adjoining regions which have substantially different vibrational characteristics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 1, wherein said oscillation element is shaped substantially as a plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 2, wherein said two adjoining regions of said plate shaped oscillation element have respective edges which are separated by different distances from a central point of said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
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 a portion cut away by a chord.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 5, wherein said two portions cut away by two chords are substantially diametrically opposite, on said plate shaped oscillation element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, comprising: a horn assembly, formed as a metallic unitary rigid body, having a major diameter end and a minor diameter end with an atomization portion formed thereon, and with a plurality of small holes formed around the circumferential direction of said horn assembly at points which are nodes with regard to longitudinal oscillation of said horn assembly; an ultrasonic oscillation element mounted on said major diameter end of said horn assembly; and a circlip the outer periphery of which is supported, with inwardly projecting portions which are engaged into said small holes to support said horn assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, comprising: a horn assembly, formed as a metallic unitary rigid body, having a major diameter end and a minor diameter end with an atomization portion formed thereon, and with a plurality of small holes formed around the circumferential direction of said horn assembly at points which are nodes with regard to longitudinal oscillation of said horn assembly; an ultrasonic oscillation element mounted on said major diameter end of said horn assembly; and a circlip the outer periphery of which is supported, with inwardly projecting portions which are engaged into said small holes to support said horn assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 8, wherein said small holes are three in number, and said circlip has three such inwardly projecting portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, comprising: a horn assembly, formed as a metallic unitary rigid body, having an atomization portion formed thereon and an ultrasonic oscillation element, remote from said atomization portion, mounted on a mounting portion thereof; wherein: a shaft portion is erected at a central portion of said mounting portion of said horn assembly integrally therewith, extending away from the direction of the atomization portion, and said ultrasonic oscillation element is fitted over said shaft portion and is securely attached to said mounting portion of said horn assembly, said shaft portion being supported by a base board of said inhaler so as to keep said base board and said ultrasonic oscillation element are mutually separated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler, comprising: a horn assembly, formed as a metallic unitary rigid body, having an atomization portion formed thereon and an ultrasonic oscillation element, remote from said atomization portion, mounted on a mounting portion thereof; wherein: a shaft portion is erected at a central portion of said mounting portion of said horn assembly integrally therewith, extending away from the direction of the atomization portion, and said ultrasonic oscillation element is fitted over said shaft portion and is securely attached to said mounting portion of said horn assembly, said shaft portion being supported by a base board of said inhaler so as to keep said base board and said ultrasonic oscillation element are mutually separated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the base of said shaft portion where it springs from said mounting portion is formed with a step portion which closely fits into a corresponding shape provided on said ultrasonic oscillation element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 10, further comprising a heat dissipation member which is secured to said base board of said inhaler in substantial contact with said shaft member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 12, wherein said heat dissipation member is secured to said base board of said inhaler by said shaft member.'
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 13, wherein said heat dissipation member is a fin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 12, wherein said heat dissipation member is a portion of a grounding conductor layer formed on said base board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 10, wherein said shaft portion at its one end contacts one of the electrodes of said ultrasonic oscillation element and at its other end contacts one side of an electrical circuit formed on said base board, thus electrically connecting said elements, and further comprising a springy member contacting the other side of said electric circuit on said base board by its one portion and contacting the other of the electrodes of said ultrasonic oscillation element by its another portion, thus electrically connecting said elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler according to claim 16, wherein said springy member is securely fixed to said base board.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.