Inhalatorsystem

Abstract

An inhaler system of the present invention comprises a computer device (400) and an inhaler head (1) which is directly connected to the computer device (400) via a USB cable (200). The computer device (400) supplies a DC voltage (Vbus) via a Vbus line and a GND line of the USB cable (200) and supplies a control signal (D+, D-) with a square waveform via a D+ line and a D- line of the USB cable (200). The inhaler head (1) comprises a first resonant circuit with a first coil and a first capacitor, a converter circuit which intermittently or alternately with reversed polarity applies a DC voltage (Vbus) to the first resonant circuit according to a control signal (D+, D-) to generate an AC voltage with a sinusoidal waveform, and an atomizer which is driven by the AC voltage with the sinusoidal waveform and atomizes and expels a liquid.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler system and, more particularly, to an inhaler system comprising a computer device capable of delivering a USB signal and an inhaler head connected to the computer device by a USB cable. Background technology

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of inhaler system, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3199314), an inhaler system is known that includes a computer device capable of supplying a USB signal, a controller connected to the computer device by a USB cable, and a mesh inhaler head connected to the controller by a proprietary cable. The controller includes a housing and an amplifier circuit including a DC-DC converter, a microcontroller (processor), and a driver circuit incorporating a high-speed MOSFET driver, which are mounted on the housing. The amplifier circuit generates a 12-volt DC signal from a 5-V DC (specifically, 4.75V to 5.25V) contained in the USB signal from the computer device.Using the output of the amplifier circuit, the microcontroller generates a 120 to 150 kHz square wave (pulse-width modulated signal) and sends the square wave to the driver circuit. The driver circuit uses a series inductor to generate an AC voltage (approximately 100 V sine wave) from the 120 to 150 kHz square wave. The inhaler head has a piezoceramic element, receives liquid from a supply container, and is driven by the driver circuit through the 120 to 150 kHz sine wave to generate aerosol. State of the art documentPatent document

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model No. 3199314 Summary of the inventionProblems to be solved by the invention

[0004] The inhaler system as described above is desirably configured compactly with a small number of components from the perspective of portability. However, in the system of Patent Document 1, a controller (including a processor) is inserted between a computer device capable of supplying a USB signal and an inhaler head. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of components increases and that the components for an inhaler system are space-consuming.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler system that can be configured compactly with a small number of components. Solving the problems

[0006] To achieve the object, an inhaler system of the present disclosure is an inhaler system for atomizing and ejecting a liquid, the inhaler system comprising: a computing device configured to deliver a signal according to a USB standard through a USB cable, wherein the computer device supplies a DC voltage through a Vbus line and a GND line of the USB cable and supplies a control signal having a square waveform through a D+ line and a D- line of the USB cable; and an inhaler head that is directly connected to the computer device via the USB cable, wherein the inhaler head comprises: a first resonant circuit having a first coil and a first capacitor, a converter circuit which applies the DC voltage intermittently or alternately with reverse polarity to the first resonant circuit according to the control signal to generate an AC voltage having a sine waveform, and an atomizer that is driven by the alternating voltage with the sine waveform and atomizes and ejects the liquid.

[0007] In this specification, the "USB cable" is intended to include a cable capable of transmitting a signal according to the USB standard and a connector (referred to as a "USB connector") provided at one end portion of the cable.

[0008] The “control signal” refers to a D+ signal and a D- signal, which are differential signals.

[0009] "Directly connected" through the USB cable means that a connection is established between the computer device and the inhaler head without, in the conventional example, a controller (with a processor) being interposed. It should be noted that it is not excluded that the computer device and / or the inhaler head may have a USB connector, which can be connected to the USB connector on the end portion of the USB cable.

[0010] In the inhaler system of the present disclosure, a DC voltage is supplied directly from the computer device to the inhaler head through the Vbus line and GND line of the USB cable, and a control signal having a square waveform is supplied through the D+ line and D- line of the USB cable. In the inhaler head, the converter circuit applies the DC voltage in accordance with the control signal to the first resonant circuit (including a first coil and a first capacitor) intermittently or alternately with reversed polarity to generate an AC voltage having a sine waveform. The atomizer is driven by the AC voltage having the sine waveform and atomizes and expels the liquid. Therefore, the inhaler system can atomize and expel the liquid without inserting a controller (including a processor) between the computer device and the inhaler head. Furthermore, the inhaler head also does not need to include a processor.Therefore, the inhaler system can be configured compactly with a small number of components.

[0011] In the inhaler system of one embodiment the inhaler head further comprises a second resonant circuit having a second coil electromagnetically coupled to the first coil and a second capacitor, and a power for driving the atomizer is transmitted from the first resonance circuit to the second resonance circuit through a wireless power transmission system.

[0012] Since in the inhaler system according to this one embodiment, the power for driving the atomizer is transmitted from the first resonance circuit to the second resonance circuit by the wireless power transmission system, the housing of the inhaler head can be configured to be detachably separated, for example, between the first coil and the second coil.

[0013] In the inhaler system of one embodiment The inhaler head can be removed from each other a first housing on which the first resonance circuit and the converter circuit are mounted, and a second housing on which the second resonance circuit and the atomizer are mounted, and a movement of the liquid from the second housing to the first housing is prevented by an outer wall of the second housing.

[0014] In the inhaler system of this one embodiment, the first housing and the second housing in the inhaler head are detachable from each other. In a state where the first housing and the second housing are separated, the second housing can be rinsed with water separately from the first housing. In a state where the first housing and the second housing are integrally assembled, there is no disadvantage that the number of components increases and the components take up space. Furthermore, in the inhaler head, movement of the liquid from the first housing to the second housing is prohibited by the outer wall of the second housing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where the liquid moves to the first housing and the conversion circuit fails.In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation where the liquid moves from the first housing to the computer device through the USB cable and the computer device fails.

[0015] In the inhaler system of one embodiment a number of windings of the second coil is greater than a number of windings of the first coil, the second resonant circuit increases an amplitude of the alternating voltage generated by the first resonant circuit having the sine waveform according to a ratio between the number of windings of the first coil and the number of windings of the second coil, and The atomizer is driven by the alternating voltage with the sine waveform, with the amplitude being increased by the second resonance circuit.

[0016] In the inhaler system of this one embodiment, the second resonance circuit increases the amplitude of the sine wave AC voltage generated by the first resonance circuit according to the ratio between the number of turns of the first coil and the number of turns of the second coil. The atomizer is driven by an AC voltage with the sine waveform having the amplitude amplified by the second resonance circuit, and ejects the liquid. By setting the ratio between the number of turns of the first coil and the number of turns of the second coil in advance so that the amplitude of the AC voltage with the sine waveform having the amplitude amplified (amplified) by the second resonance circuit is adapted to the atomizer, the liquid can be effectively atomized and ejected.

[0017] In the inhaler system of one embodiment The atomizer includes: a sonotrode having a vibrating surface, the sonotrode operating using the alternating voltage with the sine waveform, and a mesh element with a mesh section positioned facing the vibration surface, and The atomizer atomizes the liquid supplied between the vibrating surface and the mesh section through the mesh section during operation.

[0018] In the inhaler system according to this one embodiment, the atomizer atomizes the liquid supplied between the vibrating surface and the mesh portion through the mesh portion during operation. Such a mesh atomizer is configured to be relatively small and can be driven with relatively low power. Therefore, it is suitable for miniaturizing the inhaler head and configuring the inhaler system compactly.

[0019] In the inhaler system of one embodiment Assuming that a 1-bit period is a minimum period in which the level of a D+ signal and a D- signal constituting the control signal can change according to a transmission speed defined by the USB standard, and m is a natural number, the control signal is a signal repeated at a unit of a 2m-bit period in which the D+ signal attains a high level for an m-bit period and then the D- signal attains the high level for a following m-bit period.

[0020] Examples of transfer speeds defined by the USB standard include 1.5 Mbps (USB 1.0 standard), 12 Mbps (USB 1.1 standard), and 480 Mbps (USB 2.0 standard).

[0021] As described above, the converter circuit applies the DC voltage intermittently or with alternating reverse polarity to the first resonant circuit (including the first coil and the first capacitor) according to the control signal to generate the AC voltage with the sine waveform. Here, in the nebulizer system of this one embodiment, the control signal is repeated in a unit of a 2m-bit period, in which the D+ signal attains a high level for an m-bit period, and then the D- signal attains a high level for a subsequent m-bit period.

[0022] Therefore, the period of the AC voltage with the sine waveform, which the converter circuit causes to be generated by the first resonant circuit, is the 2m-bit period. Therefore, the computing device can set the period (in other words, a frequency that is the inverse of this) of the AC voltage with the sine waveform by setting the 2m-bit period.

[0023] In the inhaler system of one embodiment, the computing device changes a period of the alternating voltage by changing a value of m of the control signal.

[0024] In the inhaler system of this one embodiment, the computing device can easily set the period (in other words, the frequency which is the inverse thereof) of the alternating voltage having the sine waveform by setting the 2m-bit period. Results of the invention

[0025] As is apparent from the foregoing, the inhaler system of the present disclosure can be configured compactly with a small number of components. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an inhaler system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a smartphone control system constituting the inhaler system. Fig. 3 is a view showing an inhaler head showing the inhaler system in a disassembled state viewed obliquely. Fig. 4 is a view showing an internal structure of the inhaler head assembled as viewed from a lateral direction. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an entire electrical circuit included in the inhaler head. Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the electrical circuit in Fig. 5 shows. Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C are diagrams showing a control flow through a control unit included in the smartphone. Fig. 8 is a view showing a relationship between a control signal having a rectangular waveform output from the smartphone to the nebulizer head and an AC voltage having a sine waveform generated in the nebulizer head using the control signal. Fig. Fig. 9 is a view showing a state in which a frequency of the alternating voltage having the sine waveform in Fig. 8 is changed. Fig. 10 is a view showing a manner in which a user uses the inhaler system. Detailed description

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (Schematic configuration of the inhaler system)

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an inhaler system 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inhaler system 800 is an inhaler system for atomizing and expelling a liquid and includes a smartphone 400 as a computing device and an inhaler head 1 directly connected to the smartphone 400 by a USB cable 200. In this example, the USB cable 200 has male USB connectors 208 and 209 at both ends, respectively. The USB connector 208 is detachably connected to a female USB connector 491 provided in the smartphone 400, and the USB connector 209 is detachably connected to a female USB connector 19 provided in the inhaler head 1. (Configuration of the smartphone)

[0028] The smartphone 400 is configured to cause the inhaler head 1 to perform an inhaler operation described below by installing inhaler application software (a computer program) in a general commercially available smartphone.

[0029] As in Fig. 2, the smartphone 400 includes a main body 400M and further includes a control unit 410, a memory 411, a display 420, an instruction unit 430, a network communication unit 480, a USB interface 490, and a power supply unit 499 mounted on the main body 400M.

[0030] The control unit 410 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and an auxiliary circuit thereof, controls each part of the smartphone 400, and performs the processing described below according to a program and data stored in the memory 411.

[0031] The memory 411 includes a random access memory (RAM) used as a work area necessary for executing a program from the control unit 410, and a read-only memory (ROM) for storing a basic program to be executed by the control unit 410. In addition, a semiconductor memory (memory card or the like) can be used as a storage medium of an auxiliary storage device for supporting a storage area of ​​the memory 411.

[0032] In this example, the display 420 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) and is controlled by the control unit 410 to display predetermined images on a display screen.

[0033] In this example, the instruction unit 430 includes a touch panel (not shown) superimposed on the display screen of the display 420, and inputs an instruction signal indicating a user instruction to the control unit 410. In this example, the display 420 and the touch panel constitute a known touch screen.

[0034] The network communication unit 480 transmits information from the control unit 410 to another device (for example, a server (not shown)) via a network 900. Furthermore, information is received from other devices via the network 900 and transferred to the control unit 410.

[0035] The USB interface 490 outputs information from the control unit 410 as a signal according to the USB standard to the outside, in this example through the on the end wall 400Me (see Fig. 1) of the main body 400M, and the USB cable 200 including the USB connector 208 connected to the USB connector 491. In this example, the signal according to the USB standard includes a DC voltage (5V DC) output through the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204 of the USB cable 200, and a control signal (D+ signal and D- signal) with a rectangular waveform output through the D+ line 202 and the D- line 203 of the USB cable 200. The D+ signal and the D- signal are differential signals. The Vbus line 201 can only supply a current of up to 500mA at a DC voltage of 5V.

[0036] In this example, the power supply unit 499 includes a rechargeable secondary battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery). The power supply unit 499 supplies power to each part, including the control unit 410, the memory 411, the display 420, the instruction unit 430, the network communication unit 480, and the USB interface 490, which are mounted on the main body 400M. (Inhaler head configuration)

[0037] Fig. Figure 3 shows an inhaler head 1 in a disassembled state, viewed obliquely. The inhaler head 1 roughly comprises a main body 11 and an inhaler unit 12 attached to the main body 11.

[0038] In this example, the main body case 11M as a first case constituting the main body 11 has an outer shape with an oval planar shape (with a main axis 11A extending from the left front side to the right rear side in Fig. 3) and extends in the direction of the vertical axis 11C (in this example, the vertical direction) in a columnar manner. A recess 11K1 having a substantially short cylindrical outer shape is provided in a central portion (through which the vertical axis 11C passes) of the upper wall 11Mt of the main body casing 11M as a member for detachably attaching the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12. In this example, the recess 11K1 includes orientation grooves 11K1e, 11K1e, and 11Kle extending radially outward in portions corresponding to specific orientations (in this example, three orientations at intervals of 120°) around the vertical axis 11C.

[0039] The inhaler unit 12 includes a base housing 30M having the same oval planar shape as the main body housing 11M, and a cover member 31 covering the base housing 30M. The cover member 31 is detachably fitted and secured to the base housing 30M in the direction of the vertical axis 11C (from above in this example). The base housing 30M and the cover member 31 form a mounting case 30 as a second housing.

[0040] In this example, the base casing 30M includes an upper-stage casing portion 30Ma protruding in a columnar shape at a portion eccentric to the left front side from the vertical axis 11C. The upper-stage casing portion 30Ma accommodates a sonotrode 40 as a vibration unit capable of atomizing a liquid (chemical liquid or the like). In this example, the mesh member 20 is disposed in a state facing the sonotrode 40 on the upper surface 30Mt of the upper-stage casing portion 30Ma. In this example, the mesh member 20 includes a sheet 21 including a mesh portion capable of atomizing the liquid and a flange portion 22 supporting a peripheral edge of the sheet 21.The "mesh portion" refers to an element that has a plurality of fine through-holes in the sheet (or plate material) and allows a liquid to pass through these through-holes to be atomized. In this example, the mesh element 20 is configured to be discarded after use. In this example, the sonotrode 40 and the mesh element 20 form an atomizer 39.

[0041] A protrusion 30K1 having a substantially short columnar outer shape is provided in a central portion (through which the vertical axis 11C passes) of the bottom wall 30Mb of the inhaler unit 12 as a member for detachably attaching the inhaler unit 12 to the main body 11. In this example, the protrusion 30K1 has a shape corresponding to the recess 11K1 of the main body casing 11M. That is, the protrusion 30K1 has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes enlarged diameter portions (not shown) projecting radially outward at portions corresponding to specific orientations (in this example, three orientations at intervals of 120°) around the vertical axis 11C.Therefore, when the inhaler unit 12 (the base housing 30M) is brought close to the main body 11 (the main body housing 11M) in the direction of the vertical axis 11C (from above in this example), the protrusion 30K1 fits into the recess 11K1, and the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12 are easily and integrally assembled. Once the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12 are assembled, the assembled state is maintained by a frictional force between the recess 11K1 and the protrusion 30K1. It should be noted that the inhaler unit 12 is easily detached from the main body 11 if the user applies a force exceeding the frictional force to separate the inhaler unit 12 from the main body 11 in the direction of the vertical axis 11C.

[0042] The cover member 31 has an outer shape with the same oval planar shape as that of the base housing 30M and extends tubularly in the direction of the vertical axis 11C. A circular opening 31o is provided at a portion eccentric from the vertical axis 11C in an upper wall 31t of the cover member 31 to the left front side. In a state in which the cover member 31 is attached to the base housing 30M, the edge portion of the opening 31o presses the flange portion 22 of the mesh member 20 in the direction of the vertical axis 11C (from above in this example). Consequently, the sheet 21 comprising the mesh portion is positioned with respect to the sonotrode 40. In addition, as shown, for example, in Fig. 10, a mouthpiece 80 as a piping member is detachably attached to the opening 31o from outside the cover member 31.

[0043] In addition, the cover element 31 comprises, as in Fig. 3, at a portion corresponding to a right rear side of the opening 31o in the upper wall 31t, a lid portion 31a that can be opened / closed by a hinge, and a liquid reservoir 17 as a liquid supply portion provided at a position immediately below the lid portion 31a. In a state where the cover member 31 is attached to the base case 30M, the user can temporarily open the lid portion 31a and add the liquid to the liquid reservoir 17.

[0044] Fig. Figure 4 shows an internal structure of the inhaler head 1, integrally assembled, viewed from a lateral direction. The main body 11 of the inhaler head 1 mounts and houses a power transmission coil unit 61 and a circuit board 60 connected to the power transmission coil unit 61 by wiring lines 63a and 63b in the main body casing 11M.

[0045] The power transmission coil unit 61 includes a pole piece 64 made of a substantially columnar magnetic body, and a power transmission coil L1 as a first coil wound and positioned around the pole piece 64. In this example, the power transmission coil unit 61 is positioned on a side facing the inhaler unit 12 along the upper wall 11Mt of the main body casing 11M. Consequently, the power transmission coil L1 is positioned in an area surrounding the recess 11K1 around the vertical axis 11C, along an inner side of the upper wall 11Mt forming the main body casing 11M. Fig. The first capacitor C1 shown in Figure 5 is connected in parallel with the power transmission coil L1. The power transmission coil L1 and the first capacitor C1 form a first resonant circuit 51. In this example, the first capacitor C1 is attached to the power transmission coil unit 61, but it can be mounted on the circuit board 60.

[0046] In this example, the Fig. 4 is mounted with a female USB connector 19 and a converter circuit 50 described below, and is positioned along an inner side of the bottom wall 11Mb forming the main body housing 11M. The USB connector 19 penetrates a side wall 11Ms of the main body housing 11M and opens outward. A male USB connector 209 of the USB cable 200 can be inserted in a direction indicated by an arrow X in Fig. 4 and connected to the USB connector 19.

[0047] An inhaler unit 12 has a sonotrode 40 and a power receiving coil unit 71 connected to the sonotrode 40 by wiring lines 73a and 73b in the mounting housing 30 (in particular the base housing 30M).

[0048] The sonotrode 40 is configured by combining a horizontally and upwardly arranged vibration surface 43, an ultrasonic vibration device 41 arranged at a position spaced downward from the vibration surface 43, and a horn 42 arranged between the ultrasonic vibration device 41 and the vibration surface 43 to amplify the vibration of the ultrasonic vibration device 41 and transmit the vibration to the vibration surface 43. In a state where the cover member 31 is attached to the base case 30M, a gap 43g exists between the sheet 21 including the mesh portion and the vibration surface 43 of the sonotrode 40. As described below, the liquid in the liquid reservoir 17 is supplied to the gap 43g.

[0049] The power receiving coil unit 71 includes a pole piece 74 made of a substantially columnar magnetic body, and a power receiving coil L2 as a second coil wound and positioned around the pole piece 74. In this example, the power receiving coil unit 71 is positioned on a side facing the main body 11 along an inner side of the bottom wall 30Mb of the base case 30M. In this assembled state, the power receiving coil L2 is electromagnetically coupled to the power transmitting coil L1. Fig. The second capacitor C2 shown in Figure 5 is connected in parallel with the power receiving coil L2. The power receiving coil L2 and the second capacitor C2 form a second resonant circuit 52. In this example, the second capacitor C2 is attached to the power receiving coil unit 71, but can be attached to the sonotrode 40.

[0050] Consequently, in a state where the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12 are assembled, the power transmission coil L1 and the power reception coil L2 are arranged in areas that cross each other across the upper wall 11Mt constituting the main body case 11M and the lower wall 30Mb constituting the mounting case 30. Therefore, during operation, power for driving the sonotrode 40 is efficiently transmitted from the power transmission coil L1 of the first resonance circuit 51 to the power reception coil L2 of the second resonance circuit 52, in other words, from the main body 11 to the inhaler unit 12, in this example, through a wireless power transmission system using magnetic coupling.

[0051] Since the power for driving the sonotrode 40 is transmitted from the main body 11 to the inhaler unit 12 through the wireless power transmission system as described above, the main body 11 (the main body casing 11M) and the inhaler unit 12 (mounting casing 30) can be detachably separated as in this example. In a state where the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12 are separated from each other, for example, the base casing 30M and the cover member 31 of the inhaler unit 12 can be rinsed with water separately from the main body 11.

[0052] Furthermore, in a state where the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12 are integrally assembled, there is no disadvantage that the number of components increases and that the components take up space. Furthermore, in the inhaler head 1, the movement of the liquid from the inhaler unit 12 (the mounting case 30) to the main body 11 (main body case 11M) is prohibited by the outer wall (specifically, the bottom wall 30Mb of the base case 30M) of the inhaler unit 12. Therefore, a situation in which the liquid moves to the main body 11 and the circuit board 60 (for example, a conversion circuit 50 to be described later) fails is prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the liquid moves from the main body 11 to the smartphone 400 through the USB cable 200 and the smartphone 400 fails.

[0053] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the entire electrical circuit contained in the inhaler head 1. The electrical circuit of the inhaler head 1 roughly comprises a USB connector 19, a converter circuit 50, a first resonant circuit 51, a second resonant circuit 52, and a sonotrode 40, which form an atomizer 39. The electrical circuit of the inhaler head 1 does not include elements such as a processor, a display, an instruction unit, and a battery, except in Fig. 5 (or described below) Fig. 6) elements shown.

[0054] The USB connector 19 comprises, corresponding to the USB cable 200, a Vbus line 201, a D+ line 202, a D- line 203 and a GND line 204 (for simplicity, the reference numerals of these lines are the same as the reference numerals of the lines in the USB cable 200).

[0055] The converter circuit 50 includes a P-channel field-effect (PMOS) transistor M1 inserted between the V-bus line 201 and one end 51a of the first resonant circuit 51, and a current-limiting resistor R1 (= 470 kΩ) inserted between the D- line 203 and the GND line 204. The D+ line 202 is connected to a gate of a PMOS transistor M1, and a D+ signal is applied thereto during operation. The first resonant circuit 51 includes a power transmission coil L1 (= 74 μH) and a first capacitor C1 (= 0.01 μF) connected in parallel with the power transmission coil L1. During operation, the PMOS transistor M1 is intermittently turned on in response to the D+ signal, and a DC voltage (Vbus = 5 V) is intermittently applied between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first resonant circuit 51.Consequently, the first resonant circuit 51 generates an AC voltage V1 having a sine waveform between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first resonant circuit 51.

[0056] The second resonant circuit 52 includes a power receiving coil L2 (= 300 µH) and a second capacitor C2 (= 2700 pF) connected in parallel with the power receiving coil L2. The power receiving coil L2 and the second capacitor C2 form a second resonant circuit 52. The power receiving coil L2 is electromagnetically coupled to the power transmitting coil L1, and in this example, the coupling coefficient between the power transmitting coil L1 and the power receiving coil L2 is k = 0.8. Furthermore, the number of turns of the power receiving coil L2 is greater than the number of turns of the power transmitting coil L1, and in this example, the ratio of the number of turns of the power transmitting coil L1 to the number of turns of the power receiving coil L2 is set to approximately 1:3.Consequently, during operation, the second resonance circuit 52 increases the amplitude of the AC voltage V1 with the sine waveform generated by the first resonance circuit 51 according to the ratio between the number of turns of the power transmission coil L1 and the number of turns of the power reception coil L2. Therefore, the second resonance circuit 52 generates an AC voltage V2 (≈ 3 × V1) with a sine waveform between one end 52a and the other end 52b of the second resonance circuit 52. Here, the ratio between the number of turns of the power transmission coil L1 and the number of turns of the power reception coil L2 is set in advance, so that the amplitude of the AC voltage V2 with the sine waveform with the amplitude increased (amplified) by the second resonance circuit is adapted to the sonotrode 40 constituting the atomizer 39.In this example, the amplitude of the alternating voltage V2 to be applied to the sonotrode 40 is expected to be within the range of a dozen volts or so to several dozen volts.

[0057] In this example, the sonotrode 40 constituting the atomizer 39 is represented as an equivalent circuit by a resistance component RS1 (= 22 Ω), an inductive reactance component XL1 (= 36 mH), and a capacitor component XC1 (= 22 pF) connected in series, and further a capacitor component C3 (= 700 pF) and a resistance component R2 (= 100 Ω), each connected in parallel with these series-connected components. During operation, the alternating voltage V2 generated between one end 52a and the other end 52b of the second resonance circuit 52 is applied to the sonotrode 40 represented by the equivalent circuit. Consequently, the ultrasonic vibration device 41 of the sonotrode 40 is driven, and the Fig. 4 vibrates. Then, the liquid supplied to the gap 43g between the layer 43 comprising the mesh portion and the vibration surface 43 of the sonotrode 40 is atomized by the layer 21 comprising the mesh portion. Since the sonotrode 40 (its ultrasonic vibration device 41) is driven by the alternating voltage V2 with the sine waveform in this example, the liquid can be efficiently atomized and discharged. (How to set the frequency of the AC voltage using the sine waveform)

[0058] Fig. Figure 8 shows a relationship between the control signals (D+ signal and D- signal) with the rectangular waveform output from the smartphone 400 to the inhaler head 1 and the alternating voltage V1 with the sine waveform generated in the inhaler head 1 using these control signals (D+ signal and D- signal). Fig. 8, the vertical axis represents voltage and the horizontal axis represents time. On the vertical axis, the amplitude of the control signal and the amplitude of the alternating voltage V1 normalized to 1 are represented. On the horizontal axis, the minimum period in which the level can be changed according to the transmission speed defined by the USB standard is represented as a one-signal bit period tu. In this example, assuming that m is a natural number, the control signal is a signal repeated with a unit of a 2m-bit period, in which the D+ signal (represented by a solid line in Fig. 8) assumes a high level (+1) for an m-bit period and then the D- signal (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 8) assumes the high level (+1) for a following m-bit period. It should be noted that Fig. 8 is drawn for m = 5 for the sake of simplicity of the drawing, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Since the D+ signal and the D- signal are differential signals, they change to opposite polarity. When such control signals (D+ signal and D- signal) are applied to the Fig. 5, an alternating voltage V1 having a sine waveform as shown by a double-dotted chain line in Fig. 8, is generated between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first resonance circuit 51. That is, the AC voltage V1 becomes a positive half-wave in the m-bit period in which the D+ signal is at the high level (+1), becomes a negative half-wave in the following m-bit period in which the D- signal is at the high level (+1), and thus has a sine waveform in which the 2m-bit period (i.e., a period of 2m × tu) is repeated as a period T. Therefore, the control unit 410 of the smartphone 400 can set the period T (in other words, a frequency f which is its inverse) of the AC voltage V1 having the sine waveform by setting the 2m-bit period. Furthermore, the control unit 410 of the smartphone 400 can change the period T of the AC voltage V1 having the sine waveform by changing the value of m. For example, the control unit 410 of the smartphone 400 can set the period T of the alternating voltage V1 with the sine waveform as shown in 。 Fig. 9, to a 2m' bit period (in Fig. 9 represented by T') by decreasing the value of m by 1 to m'. As described above, the frequency f of the alternating voltage V1 with the sine waveform can be increased by decreasing the value of m. Conversely, by increasing the value of m, the frequency f of the alternating voltage V1 with the sine waveform can be decreased.

[0059] Here, examples of the transmission speed defined in the USB standard include 1.5 Mbps (USB 1.0 standard), 12 Mbps (USB 1.1 standard), and 480 Mbps (USB 2.0 standard). Since the 1-bit period tu can be shortened at a high transmission speed, the amount of change in frequency f caused by changing the value of m by one can be reduced. Therefore, a substantially continuous change (sweep) in frequency can be practically made as long as the frequency (for example, about 180 kHz) for (the ultrasonic vibration device 41) is the sonotrode 40. (Operation of the inhaler system)

[0060] It is assumed that the inhaler head 1, as in Fig. 4, is assembled in advance and that the liquid to be nebulized (typically a chemical solution) has been placed in the liquid reservoir 17 of the inhaler unit 12. In addition, as shown in Fig. 10, assuming that the mouthpiece 80 is attached to the opening 31o of the inhaler unit 12. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 10, a user 99 who intends to use the inhaler head 1 connects the inhaler head 1 and a smartphone 400 in which application software for an inhaler is installed in advance with the USB cable 200. Consequently, the inhaler system 800 is configured.

[0061] The user 99 operates the instruction unit 430 (in this example, the icon displayed on the display 420) of the smartphone 400 to start the application software for the inhaler. The user then instructs the start of operation of the inhaler head 1 in the application software.

[0062] Then, as in step S1 in Fig. 7A, first performs the initial search processing. In this initial search processing, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7B, the control unit 410 searches for a resonant frequency by changing the frequency of the control signals (D+ signal and D- signal) output through the D+ line 202 and the D- line 203 while monitoring the current flowing between the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204 through the USB interface 490 (step S11). Then, the control unit 410 determines the frequency f at which the largest current flows between the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204 as the resonant frequency fr (step S12).

[0063] Subsequently, the control unit 410, as in step S2 in Fig. 7A, through the USB interface 490, a signal according to the USB standard, so that the inhaler head 1 starts an inhalation operation at the resonance frequency fr (or for stable control close to fr). Specifically, the control unit 410 supplies 5V DC through the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204 of the USB cable 200 via the USB interface 490, and supplies control signals (D+ signal and D- signal) with the rectangular waveform through the D+ line 202 and the D- line 203 of the USB cable 200 to the inhaler head 1. Here, the control signal is the signal with the unit of the 2m-bit period in which the D+ signal (indicated by the solid line in Fig. 8) assumes the high level (+1) for the m-bit period and then the D- signal (indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 8) assumes the high level (+1) for the following m-bit period. The control unit 410 sets the 2m-bit period such that the first resonant circuit 51 in the inhaler head 1 generates an alternating voltage V1 with a sine waveform at the resonant frequency fr (or close to fr). Specifically, the value of m is set such that 2m × tu ≈ 1 / fr. In this way, the control unit 410 delivers the signal according to the USB standard, in which the value of m for the inhaler head 1 is set by the USB interface 490.

[0064] Then place the Fig. 5, the converter circuit 50 in the inhaler head 1 intermittently applies 5V DC voltage to the first resonance circuit 51 (which includes the power transmission coil L1 and the first capacitor C1) according to the control signals (D+ signal and D- signal) to generate the AC voltage V1 with the sine waveform at the resonance frequency fr (or close to fr). The AC voltage V1 with the sine waveform generated by the first resonance circuit 51 is amplified by the second resonance circuit 52 (which includes the power reception coil L2 and the second capacitor C2) to become an AC voltage V2 with the sine waveform. The sonotrode 40 of the inhaler head 1 shown in Fig. The atomizer 39 shown in Figure 4 is driven by the alternating voltage V2 with this sine waveform, and the vibrating surface 43 vibrates. Accordingly, the liquid supplied to the gap 43g between the layer 21 comprising the mesh portion and the vibrating surface 43 of the sonotrode 40 is atomized by the layer 21 comprising the mesh portion and is, as shown in Fig. 10, as an aerosol expelled through the mouthpiece.

[0065] As the sputtering operation continues, the current resonance frequency fr of the sonotrode 40 may deviate from the initial resonance frequency (referred to as fr0) due to various reasons, such as a temperature change. Therefore, the control unit 410 of the smartphone 400 performs a Fig. 7C. In the frequency feedback processing, as shown in step S21, the control unit 410 determines whether the frequency f of the sine-wave AC voltage V1 generated by the first resonance circuit 51 in the inhaler head 1 deviates from the initial resonance frequency fr0 by monitoring the current flowing between the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204 through the USB interface 490. Then, if a frequency deviation has occurred (Yes in step S21), the control unit 410 corrects the frequency f based on the current flowing between the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204 so that the frequency f of the sine-wave AC voltage V1 generated by the first resonance circuit 51 in the inhaler head 1 coincides with the current resonance frequency fr of the sonotrode 40 (step S22).Frequency feedback processing is repeatedly performed as needed during the inhalation operation. That is, the control unit 410 determines whether the frequency f of the sine wave AC voltage V1 generated by the first resonance circuit 51 in the inhaler head 1 deviates from an immediately preceding resonance frequency f0. Then, if a frequency deviation has occurred (Yes in step S21), the control unit 410 corrects the frequency f so that the frequency f of the sine wave AC voltage V1 generated by the first resonance circuit 51 in the inhaler head 1 coincides with a current resonance frequency fr of the sonotrode 40 (step S22).

[0066] In this example, the inhalation operation continues as long as no end of the operation of the inhaler head 1 is instructed (No in S3 in Fig. 7A). When the user 99 operates the instruction unit 430 (in this example, the icon displayed on the display 420) of the smartphone 400 to instruct an end to the operation of the inhaler head 1 (Yes in step S3 in Fig. 7A), the control unit 410 stops supplying the signal according to the USB standard to the inhaler head 1. Consequently, the inhaler head 1 stops the inhalation operation.

[0067] It should be noted that in the application software for the inhaler of the smartphone 400, a timer setting may be enabled and the inhalation operation may be automatically terminated when a predetermined inhalation operation time is completed.

[0068] In this way, according to this inhaler system 800, the user 99 can perform an inhalation operation using the inhaler head 1. In this inhaler system 800, no controller (including a processor) is inserted between the smartphone 400 and the inhaler head 1, and the inhaler head 1 also does not include a processor. Therefore, the inhaler system 800 can be configured compactly with a small number of components.

[0069] Furthermore, since the atomizer 39 in the inhaler head 1 is of a mesh type, the inhaler head 1 is configured to be relatively small and can be driven at a relatively low power. Therefore, it is appropriate to miniaturize the inhaler head 1 and configure the inhaler system 800 compactly. (Modification)

[0070] In the above example, the PMOS transistor M1 forming the converter circuit 50 is Fig. 5 is switched on intermittently during operation according to the D+ signal, and the DC voltage (Vbus = 5 V) is applied intermittently between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the resonant circuit 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this and, as shown in a Fig. 6, during operation, a DC voltage (Vbus = 5 V) can be applied alternately with reversed polarity between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first resonant circuit 51.

[0071] In the example in Fig. 6, an H-bridge converter circuit 50A is provided instead of the converter circuit 50. In the converter circuit 50A, a PMOS transistor M4 and an N-channel field-effect (NMOS) transistor M2 are connected in series between the Vbus line 201 and the GND line 204, in this order, and a PMOS transistor M5 and an NMOS transistor M3 are connected in series in this order, respectively. A junction point 58 between the PMOS transistor M4 and the NMOS transistor M2 is connected to one end 51a of the first resonant circuit 51 through a current-limiting resistor R3 (= 12 Ω). A connection point 59 between the PMOS transistor M5 and the NMOS transistor M3 is connected to the other end 51b of the first resonant circuit 51 through a current limiting resistor R4 (= 12 Ω).A D+ line 202 is connected to a gate of PMOS transistor M4 and a gate of NMOS transistor M2, respectively, and a D+ signal is applied thereto during operation. Furthermore, a D- line 203 is connected to a gate of PMOS transistor M5 and a gate of NMOS transistor M3, respectively, and a D- signal is applied thereto during operation.

[0072] With this configuration, the PMOS transistor M4 and the NMOS transistor M3 are placed at diagonal positions (top left and bottom right) in Fig. 6 are alternately turned on and off in the same phase according to the D+ signal and the D- signal, respectively. In addition, the NMOS transistor M2 and the PMOS transistor M5 are turned on in a phase opposite to the phase at the other diagonal positions (bottom left and top right) in Fig. 6 according to the D+ signal and the D- signal in the same phase, respectively, alternately turned on and off. As a result, a DC voltage (Vbus = 5 V) is alternately reversed in polarity and applied between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first resonant circuit 51. Consequently, the first resonant circuit 51 generates an AC voltage V1A having a sine waveform between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first resonant circuit 51. The amplitude of the AC voltage V1A is approximately twice the amplitude of the Fig. 5. Consequently, the amplitude of the alternating voltage V2A generated by the second resonant circuit 52 with the sine waveform is also twice the amplitude of the Fig. 5. Therefore, the present invention can be advantageously adapted to the fact that the sonotrode 40 constituting the atomizer 39 is of a type (specification) that must be driven with a relatively high voltage.

[0073] In the embodiment described above, the system for transmitting the power for driving the sonotrode 40 from the main body 11 to the inhaler unit 12 in the inhaler head 1 is the wireless power transmission system. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A system for transmitting power for driving the sonotrode 40 from the main body 11 to the inhaler unit 12 may be a wired power transmission system. In a case of the wired power transmission system, the main body housing 1M of the main body 11 and the base housing 30M of the inhaler unit 12 may, for example, be made of an integral housing in the inhaler head 1, and the Fig. 5 shown converter circuit 50 generated alternating voltage V1 with the sine waveform or that of the Fig. The alternating voltage V1A with the sine waveform generated by the converter circuit 50A shown in Figure 6 can be applied to the sonotrode 40 via leads. In this case, the housing of the inhaler head 1 can be simplified, and the electrical circuit of the inhaler head 1 can be simplified. Therefore, the inhaler head 1 can be configured compactly with a smaller number of components.

[0074] In addition, the electrical circuit of the inhaler head 1 in the above embodiment does not include any element other than those shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the circuit board 60 of the inhaler head 1 may have mounted thereon an integrated circuit (IC) having a function for returning information to the smartphone 400, wherein the information may be that USB communication has been established between the smartphone 400 and the inhaler head 1. In addition, an indicator such as a light-emitting diode (LED) indicating a signal supply state from the smartphone 400 to the inhaler head 1 may be provided on the side surface 11Ms (in particular, a portion separated from the Fig.10) of the main body 11M of the inhaler head 1. For example, it is desirable that the display be turned on to indicate that the signal is being supplied during a period in which a signal (in particular, the control signal) according to the USB standard is being supplied from the smartphone 400 to the inhaler head 1, and turned off to indicate that the signal supply is stopped during other periods.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the main body 11 (the circuit board 60 of the) is mounted with the female USB connector 19, and the male USB connector 209 of the USB cable 200 is connected to the USB connector 19. However, the present invention is not limited to this. One end of the USB cable 200 may be directly attached to the circuit board 60 (conversion circuit 50 or 50A) by soldering or the like without inserting the USB connectors 19 and 209, and the USB cable 200 may directly protrude from the main body 11 (the main body case 11M) (USB cable direct access structure).

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the inhaler head 1 (the main body 11 and the inhaler unit 12) has an oval planar shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The planar shape of the inhaler head 1 may be an ellipse, a circle, a rounded quadrilateral (a quadrilateral with rounded corners), or the like.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the inhaler system 800 includes the smartphone 400 as a computing device capable of delivering a signal according to the USB standard through the USB cable, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of the smartphone 400, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like may be provided.

[0078] The above embodiments are illustrative and can be modified in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of this invention. It should be noted that the various embodiments described above can be appreciated individually within each embodiment, but the embodiments can be combined with each other. It should also be noted that the various features in various embodiments can be appreciated individually, but the features in various embodiments can be combined. List of reference symbols 1 inhaler head 11, 400M main body 11M main body housing 12 Inhaler unit 20 network elements 21 Location 30 mounting housings 30M base housing 31 Cover element 40 sonotrode 50, 50A converter circuit 51 First resonant circuit 52 Second resonant circuit 200 USB cables 400 smartphones 410 control unit 800 inhaler system

Claims

[1] Inhaler system for atomizing and ejecting a liquid, the inhaler system comprising: a computing device configured to deliver a signal according to a USB standard through a USB cable, wherein the computer device supplies a DC voltage through a Vbus line and a GND line of the USB cable and supplies a control signal having a square waveform through a D+ line and a D- line of the USB cable; and an inhaler head that is directly connected to the computer device via the USB cable, wherein the inhaler head comprises: a first resonant circuit having a first coil and a first capacitor, a converter circuit which applies the DC voltage intermittently or alternately with reverse polarity to the first resonant circuit according to the control signal to generate an AC voltage having a sine waveform, and an atomizer that is driven by the alternating voltage with the sine waveform and atomizes and ejects the liquid. [2] Inhaler system according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler head further comprises a second resonant circuit having a second coil electromagnetically coupled to the first coil and a second capacitor, and a power for driving the atomizer is transmitted from the first resonant circuit to the second resonant circuit through a wireless power transmission system. [3] Inhaler system according to claim 2, wherein the inhaler head detachably comprises: a first housing on which the first resonance circuit and the converter circuit are mounted, and a second housing on which the second resonance circuit and the atomizer are mounted, and a movement of the liquid from the second housing to the first housing is prevented by an outer wall of the second housing. [4] Inhaler system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a number of windings of the second coil is greater than a number of windings of the first coil, the second resonant circuit increases an amplitude of the alternating voltage generated by the first resonant circuit with the sine waveform according to a ratio between the number of windings of the first coil and the number of windings of the second coil, and the atomizer is driven by the alternating voltage with the sine waveform, the amplitude being increased by the second resonance circuit. [5] Inhaler system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nebulizer comprises: a sonotrode having a vibrating surface, the sonotrode operating using the alternating voltage with the sine waveform, and a mesh element with a mesh section positioned facing the vibration surface, and the atomizer atomizes the liquid supplied between the vibrating surface and the mesh section through the mesh section during operation. [6] The inhaler system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control signal is a signal repeated at a unit of a 2m-bit period in which the D+ signal becomes high level for an m-bit period and then the D- signal becomes high level for a following m-bit period, assuming that a 1-bit period is a minimum period in which the level of a D+ signal and a D- signal constituting the control signal can change according to a transmission speed defined by the USB standard, and m is a natural number. [7] The inhaler system of claim 6, wherein the computing device changes a period of the alternating voltage by changing a value of m of the control signal.

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