Nebulizer and nebulizer program

Abstract

To solve the problem that if a sensor for detecting the particle size and the amount of particles is mounted, the nebulizer may be increased in size.SOLUTION: A nebulizer 10 includes an electric atomization device 50 capable of atomizing a liquid, a drive device 60, and a control device 70. When one or more selected from a particle amount and a particle diameter are used as a control state quantity, the control device 70 estimates the value of the control state quantity on the basis of the drive current of the atomizing device 50, and outputs the estimation result as an estimated value. Next, the control device 70 generates a drive current target value Ir on the basis of an error between the target value of the control state quantity and the estimated value of the control state quantity. Then, the control device 70 controls the drive device 60 on the basis of the drive current target value Ir.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nebulizer and a program for the nebulizer.

Background Art

[0002] The nebulizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a tank body, a housing, an atomizing device, a discharge nozzle, a driving device, and a control device. The tank body can store liquid therein. The interior of the housing communicates with the tank body via a supply pipe. The atomizing device is connected between the housing and the supply pipe. The atomizing device atomizes the liquid supplied from the tank body. The discharge nozzle is connected to the housing. The atomized liquid is discharged to the outside from the discharge nozzle. The driving device supplies electric power for driving the atomizing device. The control device controls the driving device.

[0003] Further, the nebulizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a particle amount detection unit and a particle size detection unit. The particle amount detection unit detects the particle amount of the atomized liquid. The particle size detection unit detects the particle size of the atomized liquid. The control device controls the driving device using the particle amount detected by the particle amount detection unit and the particle size detected by the particle size detection unit. The control device controls the particle amount and the particle size of the atomized liquid by controlling the driving device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a nebulizer as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for the particle amount detection unit and the particle size detection unit, for example, a sensor using an optical system can be adopted. The sensor of the optical system is composed of, for example, a light source for irradiating light on particles, a light receiving element for detecting scattered light, etc. Therefore, if such an optical system sensor is mounted as the particle amount detection unit and the particle size detection unit, the nebulizer may become larger in size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an electric atomizing device capable of atomizing a liquid, a driving device for supplying power to the atomizing device, and a control device for controlling the driving device. The amount of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is regarded as the particle amount, the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is regarded as the particle size, and when one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle size are regarded as the control state amount, the control device estimates the value of the control state amount based on the driving current supplied to the atomizing device by the driving device, and outputs the estimation result as an estimated value; an electric current target value generation process for generating a target value of the driving current based on the target value of the control state amount and the error of the estimated value of the control state amount; and a driving process for controlling the driving device based on the target value of the driving current. It is a nebulizer that executes.

[0007] Further, the present invention is applied to a nebulizer including an electric atomizing device capable of atomizing a liquid, a driving device for supplying power to the atomizing device, and a control device for controlling the driving device. The amount of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is regarded as the particle amount, the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is regarded as the particle size, and when one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle size are regarded as the control state amount, the control device estimates the value of the control state amount based on the driving current supplied to the atomizing device by the driving device, and outputs the estimation result as an estimated value; an electric current target value generation process for generating a target value of the driving current based on the target value of the control state amount and the error of the estimated value of the control state amount; and a driving process for controlling the driving device based on the target value of the driving current. It is a program for a nebulizer that causes the process to be executed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] It is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the nebulizer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a nebulizer and a program for the nebulizer will be described. Note that the drawings may show the components enlarged for easy understanding. The dimensional ratios of the components may be different from the actual ones or those in other drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment of a Nebulizer and a Program for the Nebulizer> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a nebulizer and a program for the nebulizer will be described. (Regarding the overall configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the nebulizer 10 includes a blower unit 20 and an atomizing device 50.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the blower unit 20 includes a housing 21, an air nozzle 22, and a connecting pipe 23. The housing 21 has an outer appearance of a substantially cylindrical shape and has a cavity inside. Hereinafter, an axis parallel to the central axis of the housing 21 is defined as a reference axis AX. Also, one direction parallel to the reference axis AX is defined as an upward direction UD, and the direction opposite to the upward direction UD is defined as a downward direction DD.

[0013] The air nozzle 22 is tubular and extends along the reference axis AX. The air nozzle 22 is located inside the housing 21. One end of the air nozzle 22 is exposed on the end face of the housing 21 facing the upward direction UD.

[0014] The connecting pipe 23 is tubular and extends along the reference axis AX. The connecting pipe 23 is located outside the housing 21. The connecting pipe 23 is connected to one end of the air nozzle 22 that is exposed on the end face of the housing 21.

[0015] The atomizing device 50 is an electric blower. The atomizing device 50 is located inside the housing 21. Specifically, the atomizing device 50 is a micro blower using a piezoelectric element. This micro blower may also be called a piezoelectric pump, an air pump, etc. Although not shown, the blower that is the atomizing device 50 has a diaphragm, a piezoelectric element, and an air outlet. The diaphragm is a thin film having elasticity. The piezoelectric element is attached to the diaphragm. The piezoelectric element is made of ceramics. By supplying alternating current power to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element flexes and vibrates. In conjunction with the flexing vibration of this piezoelectric element, the diaphragm repeatedly bends and deforms, and thus gas is pumped from the air outlet. Therefore, the atomizing device 50 can pump gas. Also, the atomizing device 50 can atomize a liquid by spraying the pumped gas onto the liquid.

[0016] Inside the housing 21, the outlet of the atomizing device 50 faces the upward UD direction. And the outlet of the atomizing device 50 is connected to one end of the air nozzle 22. Therefore, the gas discharged from the outlet of the atomizing device 50 passes through the air nozzle 22 and is discharged upward UD from the housing 21 through the connecting pipe 23.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the nebulizer 10 includes a tank unit 30. The tank unit 30 is attached above the blower unit 20 in the upward UD direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the tank unit 30 includes a tank body 31 and an atomizing nozzle 32. The tank body 31 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with one end face open and the other end face closed. In the state where the tank unit 30 is attached to the blower unit 20, the opening of the tank body 31 faces the upward UD direction. Therefore, the tank body 31 can store a liquid medicine or the like.

[0018] The atomizing nozzle 32 is attached to the bottom surface of the tank body 31 inside the tank body 31. Although not shown, the atomizing nozzle 32 has a connecting hole extending in the direction along the reference axis AX. The connecting hole opens downward DD on the side of the atomizing nozzle 32. The connecting pipe 23 of the blower unit 20 can be inserted into the connecting hole.

[0019] Although illustration is omitted, the atomizing nozzle 32 has a discharge hole and a water absorption hole. The discharge hole is a through hole connecting the upper UD-side surface of the atomizing nozzle 32 and the connection hole. However, the opening diameter of the discharge hole is smaller than that of the connection hole. The discharge hole is located on the opening side of the tank body 31 with respect to the connection hole. One end of the water absorption hole is a hole communicating with the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tank body 31 and the vicinity of one end of the discharge hole. Since the connection pipe 23 of the blower unit 20 is connected to the connection hole, the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50 is discharged from the discharge hole of the atomizing nozzle 32. The liquid stored at the bottom of the tank body 31 is supplied to the vicinity of one end side of the discharge hole through the water absorption hole. The liquid reaching the vicinity of the discharge hole becomes atomized by the gas pumped from the blower which is the atomizing device 50 being blown onto it.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the nebulizer 10 includes a discharge unit 40. The discharge unit 40 is attached above the tank unit 30 in the UD direction. The discharge unit 40 includes a case 41, an intake hole 42, and a discharge nozzle 43. The case 41 has a substantially cylindrical appearance. The case 41 has a cavity inside. One end face of the case 41 is open. The opening of the case 41 is fitted into the opening of the tank body 31.

[0021] The intake hole 42 is a hole penetrating the surface of the case 41 facing upward in the UD direction. That is, the intake hole 42 connects the internal space and the external space of the case 41. The discharge nozzle 43 is a cylinder protruding from the side surface of the case 41. The discharge nozzle 43 is located near the upper UD-side end of the side surface of the case 41. One end of the discharge nozzle 43 is connected to the internal space of the case 41. Therefore, the liquid atomized by the blower unit 20 and the tank unit 30 is discharged from the discharge nozzle 43 through the internal space partitioned by the case 41 and the tank body 31.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the nebulizer 10 includes a drive device 60 and a control device 70. The drive device 60 is stored inside the housing 21 of the blower unit 20. The drive device 60 converts electric power from an external power source or a power supply device 80 such as a battery stored in the nebulizer 10. The drive device 60 supplies the converted AC power to the atomizing device 50. That is, the drive device 60 drives the piezoelectric element of the atomizing device 50. The circuit configuration of the drive device 60 will be described later.

[0023] The control device 70 is stored inside the housing 21 of the blower unit 20. The control device 70 has a storage device and an arithmetic processing device (not shown). That is, the control device 70 is an MCU (Microcontroller Unit). The storage device of the control device 70 stores a predetermined program PG in advance. The arithmetic processing device of the control device 70 performs feedback control by an estimation unit 75 (to be described later) by executing the program PG stored in the storage device. The control device 70 controls the drive device 60 based on the feedback control.

[0024] (Configuration of the drive device according to the first embodiment) As shown in FIG. 3, the drive device 60 includes an H-bridge circuit 61. The H-bridge circuit 61 has a power supply terminal 61A, a ground terminal 61F, a first input terminal 61B, a second input terminal 61C, a first output terminal 61D, and a second output terminal 61E. Each output terminal of the H-bridge circuit 61 is connected to a pair of input terminals of the atomizing device 50. That is, the first output terminal 61D is connected to the first input terminal 50A of the atomizing device 50. The second output terminal 61E is connected to the second input terminal 50B of the atomizing device 50.

[0025] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the H-bridge circuit 61 includes a first switching element SW1, a second switching element SW2, a third switching element SW3, and a fourth switching element SW4. The first switching element SW1 and the third switching element SW3 are p-channel MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors). The second switching element SW2 and the fourth switching element SW4 are n-channel MOSFETs. The source terminal of the first switching element SW1 is connected to the source terminal of the third switching element SW3. The drain terminal of the first switching element SW1 is connected to the drain terminal of the second switching element SW2. The drain terminal of the third switching element SW3 is connected to the drain terminal of the fourth switching element SW4. The source terminal of the second switching element SW2 is connected to the source terminal of the fourth switching element SW4.

[0026] The drain terminals of the first switching element SW1 and the third switching element SW3 are connected to the power supply terminal 61A. The source terminals of the second switching element SW2 and the fourth switching element SW4 are connected to the ground terminal 61F. The gate terminals of the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 are connected to the first input terminal 61B. The gate terminals of the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3 are connected to the second input terminal 61C. The source terminal of the first switching element SW1 and the drain terminal of the second switching element SW2 are connected to the first output terminal 61D. The source terminal of the third switching element SW3 and the drain terminal of the fourth switching element SW4 are connected to the second output terminal 61E.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the drive device 60 includes a power conversion circuit 62, a first resistor R1, and a second resistor R2. The power conversion circuit 62 includes an input terminal 62A, an output terminal 62B, and a control terminal 62C. The input terminal 62A is connected to the power supply device 80. The output terminal 62B is connected to the power supply terminal 61A of the H-bridge circuit 61. The control terminal 62C is connected to the control device 70. In the present embodiment, the power conversion circuit 62 is a step-up DC-DC converter. Therefore, the power conversion circuit 62 has a plurality of switching elements (not shown). The switching element is a MOSFET. The gate terminal of each switching element is connected to the control device 70 via the control terminal 62C. Therefore, each switching element is switched on and off based on a control signal input from the control device 70. Thereby, the power conversion circuit 62 boosts the DC voltage input from the power supply device 80 and outputs it from the output terminal 62B as the drive voltage Vout.

[0028] The first end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the output terminal 62B of the power conversion circuit 62. The second end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the first end of the second resistor R2. The second end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the ground as the reference potential. Moreover, the second end of the first resistor R1 and the first end of the second resistor R2 are connected to the control device 70. Therefore, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are a voltage dividing circuit that divides the drive voltage Vout of the power conversion circuit 62 according to the ratio of the resistance value of the first resistor R1 and the resistance value of the second resistor R2. And this voltage dividing circuit outputs the divided voltage to the control device 70 as the drive voltage acquisition value Vp.

[0029] The driving device 60 includes a third resistor R3, a first differential amplifier circuit 63, a first filter circuit 64, a second differential amplifier circuit 65, and a phase inversion circuit 66. The third resistor R3 is connected between the first output terminal 61D of the H-bridge circuit 61 and the first input terminal 50A of the atomizing device 50. That is, the first end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the first output terminal 61D of the H-bridge circuit 61. The second end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the first input terminal 50A of the atomizing device 50.

[0030] The first differential amplifier circuit 63 includes a first input terminal 63A, a second input terminal 63B, and an output terminal 63C. The first input terminal 63A is connected to the first end of the third resistor R3. The second input terminal 63B is connected to the second end of the third resistor R3. The first differential amplifier circuit 63 amplifies the potential difference across both ends of the third resistor R3 and outputs it from the output terminal 63C.

[0031] Specifically, the first differential amplifier circuit 63 includes an operational amplifier (not shown). The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the first end of the third resistor R3. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the second end of the third resistor R3, that is, to the atomizing device 50 side of the third resistor R3. The output terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal of the said operational amplifier. Therefore, the output terminal of the said operational amplifier outputs a voltage obtained by amplifying the potential difference across both ends of the third resistor R3.

[0032] The first filter circuit 64 includes an input terminal 64A and an output terminal 64B. The input terminal 64A of the first filter circuit 64 is connected to the output terminal 63C of the first differential amplifier circuit 63. The first filter circuit 64 is a filter circuit that removes noise components from the voltage output from the first differential amplifier circuit 63. Therefore, the output terminal 64B of the first filter circuit 64 outputs the voltage from which the said noise has been removed.

[0033] The second differential amplifier circuit 65 includes an input terminal 65A and an output terminal 65B. The input terminal 65A of the second differential amplifier circuit 65 is connected to the output terminal 64B of the first filter circuit 64. The second differential amplifier circuit 65 amplifies the voltage input to the input terminal 65A and outputs it from the output terminal 65B.

[0034] Specifically, the second differential amplifier circuit 65 includes an operational amplifier (not shown). The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the output terminal 64B of the first filter circuit 64. The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to a circuit that generates an intermediate voltage (not shown). That is, the intermediate voltage generated by the circuit is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. The output terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. Therefore, the output terminal of the operational amplifier outputs a voltage obtained by amplifying the potential difference between the output voltage of the first filter circuit 64 and the intermediate voltage.

[0035] Also, the output terminal 65B of the second differential amplifier circuit 65 is connected to the first input terminal 61B of the H-bridge circuit 61. That is, the second differential amplifier circuit 65 can apply a voltage to the gate terminal of the first switching element SW1 and the gate terminal of the fourth switching element SW4 included in the H-bridge circuit 61. Thereby, the second differential amplifier circuit 65 switches the on / off of the first switching element SW1 and the on / off of the fourth switching element SW4 at the same timing.

[0036] The phase inversion circuit 66 includes an input terminal 66A and an output terminal 66B. The input terminal 66A of the phase inversion circuit 66 is connected to the output terminal 65B of the second differential amplifier circuit 65. The phase inversion circuit 66 outputs a voltage having a phase opposite to that of the second differential amplifier circuit 65 input to the input terminal 66A from the output terminal 66B.

[0037] Specifically, the phase inversion circuit 66 includes an operational amplifier (not shown). The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the output terminal 65B of the second differential amplifier circuit 65. The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the circuit that generates the intermediate voltage described above. The output terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. Therefore, the output terminal of the operational amplifier amplifies the potential difference between the output voltage of the second differential amplifier circuit 65 and the intermediate voltage and outputs it with the phase inverted.

[0038] Also, the output terminal 66B of the phase inversion circuit 66 is connected to the second input terminal 61C of the H-bridge circuit 61. That is, the phase inversion circuit 66 can apply a voltage to the gate terminal of the second switching element SW2 and the gate terminal of the third switching element SW3 of the H-bridge circuit 61. Therefore, the phase inversion circuit 66 switches the on / off of the first switching element SW1 and the on / off of the fourth switching element SW4 at the same timing.

[0039] Also, as described above, the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier included in the phase inversion circuit 66 is connected to the output terminal 65B of the second differential amplifier circuit 65. Therefore, the output voltage of the second differential amplifier circuit 65 and the output voltage of the phase inversion circuit 66 are in opposite phases. As a result, the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4, and the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3 are switched on / off complementarily. Therefore, when the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 are in the on state and the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3 are in the off state, the drive voltage Vout is output from the first output terminal 61D of the H-bridge circuit 61. When the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 are in the off state and the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3 are in the on state, the drive voltage Vout is output from the second output terminal 61E of the H-bridge circuit 61.

[0040] Also, the on / off of each switching element of the H-bridge circuit 61 is switched by a frequency determined based on the impedance of the circuit elements constituting the first differential amplifier circuit 63, the first filter circuit 64, the second differential amplifier circuit 65, and the phase inversion circuit 66, and the piezoelectric element. Therefore, the drive device 60 is a so-called self-excited oscillation circuit. The piezoelectric element of the atomizing device 50 is excited by the drive voltage Vout and the drive current Iout output from the H-bridge circuit 61, whereby the atomizing device 50 is driven.

[0041] The drive device 60 includes a fourth resistor R4, a current detection circuit 67, and a second filter circuit 68. The first end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the ground terminal 61F of the H-bridge circuit 61. The second end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the ground as the reference potential.

[0042] The current detection circuit 67 includes a first input terminal 67A, a second input terminal 67B, and an output terminal 67C. The first input terminal 67A is connected to the first end of the fourth resistor R4. The second input terminal 67B is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor R4. The current detection circuit 67 is a circuit that detects the drive current Iout of the drive device 60.

[0043] Specifically, the current detection circuit 67 has an operational amplifier (not shown). The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the first end of the fourth resistor R4. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor R4. The output terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. Therefore, the output terminal of the operational amplifier of the current detection circuit 67 outputs a voltage obtained by amplifying the potential difference between both ends of the fourth resistor R4. Note that the potential of the ground terminal 61F changes in conjunction with the drive current Iout output by the H-bridge circuit 61. That is, the current detection circuit 67 detects the drive current Iout by detecting the potential of the ground terminal 61F.

[0044] The second filter circuit 68 includes an input terminal 68A and an output terminal 68B. The input terminal 68A of the second filter circuit 68 is connected to the output terminal 67C of the current detection circuit 67. The output terminal 68B of the second filter circuit 68 is connected to the control device 70. The second filter circuit 68 is a circuit that removes noise components from the voltage output by the current detection circuit 67. Then, the second filter circuit 68 outputs the voltage from which the noise has been removed from the output terminal 68B. Note that the control device 70 detects the current flowing according to the voltage output by the second filter circuit 68 as a drive current acquisition value Ip. And the voltage output by the second filter circuit 68 is interlocked with the drive current Iout. Therefore, the drive current acquisition value Ip changes in conjunction with the drive current Iout. In FIG. 3, for convenience, it is illustrated that the second filter circuit 68 outputs the drive current acquisition value Ip.

[0045] (Regarding the feedback control of the first embodiment) Next, the feedback control of the drive device 60 by the control device 70 will be described. Hereinafter, the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50 is referred to as the "particle diameter". In the present embodiment, the particle diameter is the median diameter (D50) in the particle size distribution of the liquid particles. This particle diameter may also be called MMAD (Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter). Further, in the present embodiment, the average value of the amount of liquid per unit time atomized by the atomizing device 50 is referred to as the "particle amount". This particle amount corresponds to the value obtained by multiplying the number of liquid particles measured using, for example, an optical sensor or the like by the particle diameter. Note that this particle amount may also be called the "atomization amount". Further, in the present embodiment, the average pressure per unit time of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50 is referred to as the "pressure". The average flow rate per unit time of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50 is referred to as the "flow rate". Also, one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle diameter are referred to as the "first control state quantity". One or more selected from the pressure and the flow rate are referred to as the "second control state quantity". In the present embodiment, the first control state quantity is both the particle amount and the particle diameter. The second control state quantity is both the pressure and the flow rate.

[0046] In feedback control, the control device 70 estimates the values of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity, and then controls the drive device 60 based on the estimated values that are the results of these estimations. As described above, the arithmetic processing unit of the control device 70 performs feedback control by executing the program PG stored in the storage device. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the arithmetic processing unit of the control device 70 includes, as functional blocks, a first target value generation unit 71, a second target value generation unit 72, a current target value generation unit 73, a voltage target value generation unit 74, an estimation unit 75, and a control unit 76.

[0047] When the drive device 60 starts driving by being supplied with power from the power supply device 80, the control device 70 executes feedback control. When the drive device 60 drives, the atomizing device 50 drives by the mechanism described above. Then, the gas is pumped by the atomizing device 50, and the liquid is atomized by the gas being sprayed onto the liquid supplied from the tank body 31.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, when the control device 70 starts feedback control, first, an acquisition process S11 is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, in the acquisition process S11, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 acquires a drive voltage acquisition value Vp from the drive device 60. Also, in the acquisition process S11, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 acquires a drive current acquisition value Ip from the drive device 60. Specifically, the estimation unit 75 acquires the drive voltage acquisition value Vp divided by the voltage division circuit composed of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 of the drive device 60 described above. Also, the control device 70 acquires the drive current acquisition value Ip that flows according to the voltage output by the second filter circuit 68 of the drive device 60.

[0049] Note that the drive voltage acquisition value Vp is a value that reflects the actual value of the drive voltage Vout actually applied to the atomization device 50. The drive current acquisition value Ip is a value that reflects the actual value of the drive current Iout actually supplied to the atomization device 50. Therefore, the control using the drive voltage acquisition value Vp is equivalent to the control based on the actual value of the drive voltage Vout. The control using the drive current acquisition value Ip is equivalent to the control based on the actual value of the drive current Iout. Thus, the drive voltage acquisition value Vp may not be the actual value of the drive voltage Vout actually applied to the atomization device 50 itself. The drive current acquisition value Ip may not be the actual value of the drive current Iout actually supplied to the atomization device 50 itself.

[0050] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs the first target value generation process S12. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first target value generation process S12, the first target value generation unit 71 of the control device 70 generates the target value of the first control state quantity. In the present embodiment, the first target value generation unit 71 generates the particle size target value Dr and the particle amount target value qr as the target values of the first control state quantity. These target values are generated based on predetermined values or values input by the user.

[0051] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs the first estimation process S13. In the first estimation process S13, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 estimates the first control state quantity based on the drive voltage Vout applied to the atomization device 50 and the drive current Iout supplied to the atomization device 50. Then, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 outputs the estimation result as the first estimated value. In the present embodiment, the estimation unit 75 outputs the particle size estimated value De and the particle amount estimated value qe as the first estimated values of the first control state quantity.

[0052] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the storage device of the control device 70 stores in advance first relationship defining data in which the relationship between the drive voltage acquisition value Vp and the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the particle amount and the particle diameter is defined. In the first estimation process S13, the estimation unit 75 inputs the drive voltage acquisition value Vp and the drive current acquisition value Ip to the first relationship defining data, and outputs a particle diameter estimated value De and a particle amount estimated value qe. Note that the relationship defining data is, for example, data in a table format, a calculation formula obtained by multiple regression analysis, or the like.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs a second target value generation process S14. As shown in FIG. 5, in the second target value generation process S14, the second target value generation unit 72 generates a target value of the second control state quantity based on the error between the target value of the first control state quantity and the first estimated value of the first control state quantity. In the present embodiment, the second target value generation unit 72 outputs a pressure target value Pr and a flow rate target value Qr as the target values of the second control state quantity. The pressure target value Pr and the flow rate target value Qr are values of pressure and flow rate such that the first control state quantity approaches each target value.

[0054] More specifically, the storage device of the control device 70 stores second relationship defining data in which the relationship between the error of the first control state quantity and the target value of the second control state quantity is defined. The second target value generation unit 72 calculates a particle diameter error dD, which is the error between the particle diameter target value Dr and the particle diameter estimated value De. Further, the second target value generation unit 72 calculates a particle amount error dq, which is the error between the particle amount target value qr and the particle amount estimated value qe. Next, the second target value generation unit 72 inputs the particle diameter error dD and the particle amount error dq to the second relationship defining data, and generates the pressure target value Pr and the flow rate target value Qr.

[0055] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs a second estimation process S15. In the second estimation process S15, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 estimates the value of the second control state quantity based on the drive voltage Vout and the drive current Iout, and outputs the estimation result as the second estimated value. In the present embodiment, the estimation unit 75 outputs a pressure estimated value Pe and a flow rate estimated value Qe as the second estimated values of the second control state quantity.

[0056] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in the storage device of the control device 70, third relationship defining data that defines the relationship between the drive voltage acquisition value Vp and the drive current acquisition value Ip and the pressure and the flow rate is stored. The estimation unit 75 inputs the drive voltage acquisition value Vp and the drive current acquisition value Ip acquired in the acquisition process S11 to the third relationship defining data, thereby estimating the pressure estimation value Pe and the flow rate estimation value Qe at the time when the acquisition process S11 is performed.

[0057] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs a drive current target value generation process S16. As shown in FIG. 5, in the drive current target value generation process S16, the drive current target value generation unit 73 of the control device 70 generates a drive current target value Ir based on the error between the target value of the second control state quantity and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity. The drive current target value Ir is a value such that the second control state quantity approaches each target value. That is, the drive current target value Ir is a value such that the first control state quantity approaches each target value. Note that the drive current target value Ir is a value corresponding to the target value of the drive current Iout. The "target value of the drive current Iout" is the target value with respect to the actual value of the drive current Iout. And the "drive current target value Ir" is the target value in the process by the control device 70. For example, the target value of the drive current Iout can be calculated by multiplying the ratio of the drive current Iout to the drive current acquisition value Ip by the drive current target value Ir. Therefore, the control based on the drive current target value Ir is equivalent to the control based on the target value of the drive current Iout.

[0058] More specifically, in the storage device of the control device 70, fourth relationship defining data that defines the relationship between the above error regarding the second control state quantity and the drive current target value Ir is stored. The drive current target value generation unit 73 calculates a pressure error dP that is the error between the pressure target value Pr and the pressure estimation value Pe. Further, the drive current target value generation unit 73 calculates a flow rate error dQ that is the error between the flow rate target value Qr and the flow rate estimation value Qe. Next, the drive current target value generation unit 73 inputs the pressure error dP and the flow rate error dQ to the fourth relationship defining data, thereby generating the drive current target value Ir.

[0059] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs a voltage target value generation process S17. In the voltage target value generation process S17, the voltage target value generation unit 74 of the control device 70 generates a drive voltage target value Vr based on the target value of the drive current Iout. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the voltage target value generation unit 74 generates the drive voltage target value Vr based on the drive current error dI, which is the error between the drive current acquisition value Ip and the drive current target value Ir. That is, in the voltage target value generation process S17, the control device 70 feeds back the error between the drive current acquisition value Ip and the drive current target value Ir. The drive voltage target value Vr is determined as a value such that the actual value of the drive current Iout approaches the target value of the drive current Iout. Therefore, the drive voltage target value Vr is determined as a value such that the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity approach their respective target values.

[0060] More specifically, the storage device of the control device 70 stores fifth relationship defining data that defines the relationship between the drive current error dI and the drive voltage target value Vr. First, the voltage target value generation unit 74 calculates the drive current error dI. Next, the voltage target value generation unit 74 generates the drive voltage target value Vr by inputting the drive current error dI into the fifth relationship defining data. Note that the drive voltage target value Vr is a value corresponding to the target value of the drive voltage Vout. That is, the "target value of the drive voltage Vout" is the target value with respect to the actual value of the drive voltage Vout. And the "drive voltage target value Vr" is the target value in the process by the control device 70. For example, the target value of the drive voltage Vout can be calculated by multiplying the ratio of the drive voltage Vout to the drive voltage acquisition value Vp by the drive voltage target value Vr. Therefore, the control based on the drive voltage target value Vr is equivalent to the control based on the target value of the drive voltage Vout.

[0061] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 performs a driving process S18. In the driving process S18, the driving voltage Vout is controlled to a voltage corresponding to the driving voltage target value Vr generated through the processes from the acquisition process S11 to the voltage target value generation process S17. As described above, the driving voltage target value Vr is generated according to the driving current target value Ir. Therefore, in the driving process S18, the driving device 60 is controlled based on the driving current target value Ir. Also, the driving voltage target value Vr is generated according to the driving current error dI. Therefore, the driving process S18 includes feedback control based on the error between the driving current acquisition value Ip and the driving current target value Ir. Then, by the driving process S18, the driving device 60 is controlled so that the actual value of the driving voltage Vout approaches the target value of the driving voltage Vout.

[0062] Specifically, first, the control unit 76 of the control device 70 calculates the target value of the driving voltage Vout based on the driving voltage target value Vr. For example, the target value of the driving voltage Vout is calculated by multiplying the driving voltage target value Vr by the ratio of the driving voltage Vout to the driving voltage acquisition value Vp. Next, the control unit 76 inputs a control signal to the control terminal 62C of the power conversion circuit 62 so that the actual value of the driving voltage Vout output from the output terminal 62B of the power conversion circuit 62 becomes the target value of the driving voltage Vout. In other words, the control unit 76 performs on / off control of the plurality of switching elements constituting the power conversion circuit 62.

[0063] Through the above feedback control, the control device 70 controls the particle diameter and particle size distribution of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50. Also, the series of feedback control is repeatedly executed during the driving of the driving device 60. As a result, the particle diameter and particle size distribution of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50 approach the predetermined particle diameter and particle size distribution, and that state is maintained.

[0064] (Regarding the operation of the first embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, in the first estimation process S13, the control device 70 estimates the values of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity based on the drive voltage Vout and the drive current Iout. Then, in the current target value generation process S16, the control device 70 generates the drive current target value Ir based on the error between the target value of each control state quantity and each estimated value. Next, the control device 70 generates the drive voltage target value Vr based on the drive current target value Ir. Then, the control device 70 controls the drive device 60 based on the drive voltage target value Vr.

[0065] There is a strong correlation between the drive current Iout and the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity. Specifically, the higher the drive current Iout, the greater the flow rate and pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50. Also, the greater the pressure and flow rate of the gas, the greater the amount of liquid particles atomized by the atomizing device 50. Moreover, the greater the pressure and flow rate of the gas, the smaller the particle diameter of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50. Therefore, by using the drive current Iout, the values of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity can be estimated.

[0066] Also, in the first estimation process S13, the control device 70 estimates the value of the first control state quantity based on the drive voltage Vout in addition to the drive current Iout. Also, in the second estimation process S15, the control device 70 estimates the value of the second control state quantity based on the drive voltage Vout in addition to the drive current Iout. The drive voltage Vout has a strong correlation with the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity. Specifically, the higher the drive voltage Vout, the greater the flow rate and pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50. The greater the pressure and flow rate of the gas, the greater the amount of liquid particles atomized by the atomizing device 50. Moreover, the greater the pressure and flow rate of the gas, the smaller the particle diameter of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50. Therefore, by using the drive voltage Vout, the values of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity can be estimated.

[0067] (Regarding the effects of the first embodiment) (1-1) In the above embodiment, the control device 70 controls the drive device 60 by estimating the value of the first control state quantity based on the drive current Iout. Therefore, when measuring the particle diameter and the amount of particles, it is possible to control the particle diameter and the amount of particles without requiring a sensor or the like using an optical system. That is, mounting the above sensor can prevent the nebulizer 10 from becoming large-sized.

[0068] (1-2) In the above embodiment, in addition to the drive current Iout, the value of the first control state quantity is estimated based on the drive voltage Vout. As described above, since the drive voltage Vout has a strong correlation with the first control state quantity, the estimation accuracy is improved.

[0069] (1-3) In the above embodiment, the control device 70 generates the drive voltage target value Vr by feeding back the drive current acquisition value Ip that reflects the drive current Iout of the atomizing device 50. Then, the control device 70 controls the power conversion circuit 62 of the drive device 60 based on the target value of the drive voltage Vout. That is, the control device 70 performs feedback control on the drive device 60 so that the actual value of the drive voltage Vout approaches the target value of the drive voltage Vout based on the error between the drive current acquisition value Ip and the drive current target value Ir. By feeding back the drive current acquisition value Ip, the deviation due to the individual difference of the nebulizer 10 and the surrounding environment where the nebulizer 10 is placed can be reflected in the control of the drive device 60.

[0070] (1-4) In the above embodiment, the control device 70 generates the drive current target value Ir from the error between the target value of the second control state quantity and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity. As described above, as the second control state quantity increases, the particle diameter becomes smaller and the amount of particles increases. Therefore, by controlling the drive device 60 based on the second control state quantity, the particle diameter and the amount of particles can be controlled more accurately.

[0071] <Second Embodiment of Nebulizer and Program for Nebulizer> Next, a second embodiment of the nebulizer and the program for the nebulizer will be described. Note that since the configurations of the blower unit 20, the tank unit 30, the discharge unit 40, and the atomization device 50 of the nebulizer 110 in the second embodiment are the same as those of the nebulizer 10 in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] (Configuration of the drive device in the second embodiment) As shown in FIG. 7, the drive device 160 of the nebulizer 110 in the second embodiment is different from the drive device 60 in the first embodiment in that it does not have a third resistor R3, a first differential amplifier circuit 63, a first filter circuit 64, a second differential amplifier circuit 65, and a phase inversion circuit 66. Except for these points, the configuration of the drive device 160 of the nebulizer 110 in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the drive device 60 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the same configuration as that of the drive device 60 in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0073] The drive device 160 in the second embodiment includes an amplifier circuit 169. The amplifier circuit 169 includes a first input terminal 169A, a second input terminal 169B, a first output terminal 169C, and a second output terminal 169D. The first input terminal 169A and the second input terminal 169B of the amplifier circuit 169 are connected to the control device 170. The first output terminal 169C of the amplifier circuit 169 is connected to the first input terminal 61B of the H-bridge circuit 61. The second output terminal 169D of the amplifier circuit 169 is connected to the second input terminal 61C of the H-bridge circuit 61. The amplifier circuit 169 amplifies the voltage input to the first input terminal 169A and the second input terminal 169B and outputs it from the first output terminal 169C and the second output terminal 169D.

[0074] Specifically, the amplifier circuit 169 includes two operational amplifiers (not shown). The inverting input terminals of each operational amplifier are connected to the control device 170. The non-inverting input terminals of each operational amplifier are connected to the circuit that generates the intermediate voltage described above. Also, the output terminals of each operational amplifier are connected to the inverting input terminals of each operational amplifier. Therefore, the output terminals of each operational amplifier of the amplifier circuit 169 output a voltage obtained by amplifying the potential difference between the voltage input from the control device 170 to the amplifier circuit 169 and the intermediate voltage.

[0075] Note that a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal is input to the first input terminal 169A of the amplifier circuit 169 from the control device 170 at a predetermined drive frequency fp and a first phase θ1. A PWM signal is input to the second input terminal 169B of the amplifier circuit 169 from the control device 170 at a predetermined drive frequency fp and a second phase θ2. The phase difference between the first phase θ1 and the second phase θ2 is 180 degrees. That is, the first phase θ1 and the second phase θ2 are in opposite phases. As a result, the first switching element SW1 to the fourth switching element SW4 of the H-bridge circuit 61 are turned on and off so as to excite the piezoelectric element of the atomizing device 50. That is, the drive device 160 of the second embodiment is a so-called separately excited circuit. When the piezoelectric element of the atomizing device 50 is excited with a drive voltage Vout, a drive current Iout, and a drive frequency fp, the atomizing device 50 is driven.

[0076] (Regarding the feedback control of the second embodiment) As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the configuration of the control device 70 in the first embodiment, the control device 170 of the second embodiment has a target frequency value generation unit 177 as a functional block. Hereinafter, the description of the same configuration as that of the control device 70 in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in the feedback control of the second embodiment, the first target value generation process S22, the second target value generation process S24, the current target value generation process S26, and the voltage target value generation process S27 are the same processes as the first target value generation process S12, the second target value generation process S14, the current target value generation process S16, and the voltage target value generation process S17 in the first embodiment, respectively. Therefore, the descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8, in the acquisition process S21 of the second embodiment, the estimation unit 175 of the control device 170 acquires the drive frequency fp in addition to the drive voltage acquisition value Vp and the drive current acquisition value Ip from the drive device 160. The drive frequency fp is the drive frequency fp of the PWM signal that the control device 170 inputs to the amplifier circuit 169 of the drive device 160 in the drive process S29 described later.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, after the acquisition process S21, the control device 170 performs the first target value generation process S22 in the same manner as the first target value generation process S12 of the first embodiment. Next, the control device 170 performs the first estimation process S23. In the first estimation process S23, the estimation unit 175 of the control device 170 estimates the value of the first control state quantity using the drive voltage Vout, the drive current Iout, and the drive frequency fp. Then, the estimation unit 175 of the control device 170 outputs the estimation result as the first estimated value. In the present embodiment, the estimation unit 175 outputs the particle size estimated value De and the particle amount estimated value qe as the first estimated value of the first control state quantity.

[0080] Specifically, the storage device of the control device 170 stores the sixth relationship definition data that defines the relationship between the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the drive frequency fp and the particle size and particle amount of the liquid. The estimation unit 175 calculates the particle size estimated value De and the particle amount estimated value qe by inputting the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the drive frequency fp into the sixth relationship definition data.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, after the first estimation process S23, the control device 170 performs a second target value generation process S24 in the same manner as the second target value generation process S14 of the first embodiment. Next, the control device 170 performs a second estimation process S25. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second estimation process S25, the estimation unit 175 of the control device 170 estimates the value of the second control state quantity using the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the drive frequency fp. Then, the estimation unit 175 of the control device 170 outputs the estimation result as a second estimated value. That is, the estimation unit 175 of the control device 170 estimates the value of the second control state quantity based on the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the drive frequency fp. In the present embodiment, the estimation unit 175 outputs a pressure estimated value Pe and a flow rate estimated value Qe as the second estimated values of the second control state quantity.

[0082] Specifically, the storage device of the control device 170 stores in advance seventh relationship definition data that defines the relationship between the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the drive frequency fp, and the pressure and the flow rate. The estimation unit 175 calculates the pressure estimated value Pe and the flow rate estimated value Qe at the time when the acquisition process S21 is performed by inputting the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive current acquisition value Ip, and the drive frequency fp into the seventh relationship definition data.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, after the second estimation process S25, the control device 170 performs a current target value generation process S26 and a voltage target value generation process S27. These processes are the same as the current target value generation process S16 and the voltage target value generation process S17 of the first embodiment. After performing the voltage target value generation process S27, the control device 170 performs a frequency target value generation process S28. In the frequency target value generation process S28, the frequency target value generation unit 177 of the control device 170 generates a drive frequency target value fr based on the actual value of the drive current Iout and the target value of the drive current Iout.

[0084] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the target frequency value generation process S28, the target frequency value generation unit 177 of the control device 170 generates a target drive frequency value fr based on a drive current error dI, which is the error between the acquired drive current value Ip and the target drive current value Ir. The target drive frequency value fr is determined as a value such that the actual value of the drive current Iout approaches the target value of the drive current Iout. Therefore, the target drive frequency value fr is a value such that the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity approach their respective target values.

[0085] Specifically, the storage device of the control device 170 stores eighth relationship definition data that defines the relationship between the drive current error dI and the target drive frequency value fr. The target frequency value generation unit 177 calculates a drive current error dI, which is the error between the acquired drive current value Ip obtained in the acquisition process S21 and the target drive current value Ir. Then, the voltage target value generation unit 74 generates the target drive frequency value fr by inputting the drive current error dI into the eighth relationship definition data.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 9, after executing the target frequency value generation process S28, the control device 170 performs a drive process S29. In the drive process S29 of the second embodiment, similar to the drive process S18 in the first embodiment, based on the error between the acquired drive current value Ip and the target drive current value Ir, the control device 170 controls the drive device 160 so that the actual value of the drive voltage Vout approaches the target value of the drive voltage Vout.

[0087] Also, in the drive process S29 of the second embodiment, the control unit 176 of the control device 170 controls the drive device 160 based on the drive current error dI so that the actual value of the drive frequency fp approaches the target value of the drive frequency fp. Note that this control is equivalent to controlling the drive device 160 so that the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity approach their respective target values.

[0088] Specifically, the control unit 176 of the control device 170 changes the actual value of the driving frequency fp to the value of the driving frequency target value fr. That is, the control unit 176 of the control device 170 inputs the PWM signal defined by the first phase θ1 and the driving frequency target value fr to the first input terminal 169A of the amplifier circuit 169. Further, the control unit 176 of the control device 170 inputs the PWM signal defined by the second phase θ2 and the driving frequency target value fr to the second input terminal 169B of the amplifier circuit 169.

[0089] Through the above feedback control, the control device 170 controls the particle amount and particle diameter of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50. Further, the series of feedback control is repeatedly executed during the driving of the driving device 160. As a result, the particle diameter and particle diameter of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50 approach the predetermined particle diameter and particle diameter, and that state is maintained.

[0090] (Regarding the operation of the second embodiment) In the above embodiment, in the first estimation process S23, the control device 170 estimates the values of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity based on the driving frequency fp in addition to the driving voltage Vout and the driving current Iout. Then, in the current target value generation process S26, the control device 170 generates the driving current target value Ir based on the error between the target value of each control state quantity and each estimated value. Next, the control device 170 controls the driving device 160 based on the driving current target value Ir.

[0091] There is a strong correlation between the driving frequency fp, the first control state quantity, and the second control state quantity. Specifically, as the driving frequency fp increases, the vibration frequency of the piezoelectric element included in the atomizing device 50 increases. As a result, the flow rate and pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50 increase. As the pressure and flow rate increase, the particle amount of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50 increases. Moreover, as the pressure and flow rate increase, the particle diameter of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50 decreases. Therefore, by using the driving frequency fp, the values of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity can be estimated.

[0092] (Regarding the effects of the second embodiment) According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0093] (2-1) In the above embodiment, the control device 170 estimates the value of the first control state quantity based on the drive voltage Vout, drive current Iout, and drive frequency fp. As described above, there is a strong correlation between the drive frequency fp of the piezoelectric element and the first control state quantity. Therefore, by using the drive frequency fp to calculate the first estimated value of the first control state quantity, the estimation accuracy of the first estimated value can be more significantly improved.

[0094] (2-2) In the above embodiment, in the target frequency value generation process S28, the target frequency value generation unit 177 of the control device 170 generates the target drive frequency value fr by feeding back the acquired drive current value Ip of the atomizing device 50. Then, the target frequency value generation unit 177 controls the H-bridge circuit 61 of the drive device 160 based on this target drive frequency value fr. By feeding back the acquired drive current value Ip, the deviation due to the individual difference of the nebulizer 10 and the surrounding environment where the nebulizer 10 is placed can be reflected in the control of the drive device 60.

[0095] <Modification example> The above embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non-conflicting range.

[0096] · The configuration of the nebulizer 10 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the blower unit 20 and the tank unit 30 may be configured in different housings, and each unit may be connected by a tubular tube.

[0097] · The atomizing device 50 only needs to be able to atomize the liquid at least, and is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the atomizing device 50 may be a device that atomizes the liquid by ultrasonic waves. · When the nebulizer 10 includes a plurality of atomizing devices 50, it is preferable that the nebulizer 10 includes the same number of driving devices 60 as the atomizing devices 50. In this case, in the feedback control of the nebulizer 110 of the second embodiment, the control device 170 may perform the first estimation process S23 and the second estimation process S25 based on the phase difference between two different atomizing devices 50. That is, the phase difference of the driving frequency fp between the two atomizing devices 50 may be used for the estimation of the first control state quantity and the estimation of the second control state quantity. Thereby, the accuracy of the estimated particle diameter De and the estimated particle amount qe atomized by the plurality of atomizing devices 50 can be improved.

[0098] · The configuration of the driving device 60 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The driving device 60 only needs to be configured to drive at least the atomizing device 50 and enable the control device 70 to acquire the driving current acquisition value Ip. Further, for example, when the H-bridge circuit 61 has a configuration corresponding to the second differential amplifier circuit 65 and the phase inversion circuit 66, the driving device 60 may not have these circuits.

[0099] · The control device 70 may acquire the actual value of the driving voltage Vout itself and use this as the driving voltage acquisition value Vp. Further, the control device 70 may acquire the actual value of the driving current Iout itself and use this as the driving current acquisition value Ip.

[0100] · The definitions of "particle diameter", "particle amount", "pressure", and "flow rate" in the feedback control are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, as the "particle diameter", the average value, maximum value, minimum value, median value, dispersion value, and integrated value of the liquid particles may be adopted. As the "particle amount", the maximum value, minimum value, median value, dispersion value, and integrated value of the amount of liquid per unit time atomized by the atomizing device 50 may be adopted. As the "pressure", the maximum value, minimum value, median value, dispersion value, and integrated value of the pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50 may be adopted. As the "flow rate", the maximum value, minimum value, median value, dispersion value, and integrated value of the flow rate of the gas pumped by the atomizing device 50 may be adopted.

[0101] · As shown in FIG. 10, the nebulizer 10 may have a temperature sensor TS, a humidity sensor HS, and an atmospheric pressure sensor PS. The temperature sensor TS detects the ambient temperature, which is the temperature around the nebulizer 10. The humidity sensor HS detects the ambient humidity, which is the humidity around the nebulizer 10. The atmospheric pressure sensor PS detects the ambient atmospheric pressure, which is the atmospheric pressure around the nebulizer 10.

[0102] In this case, in the first estimation process S13 of the first embodiment, the control device 70 may estimate the value of the first control state quantity based on the environmental information, which is one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature, the ambient atmospheric pressure, and the ambient humidity, in addition to the drive current Iout. That is, the estimation result may be output as the second estimated value. Further, in the second estimation process S15, the control device 70 may estimate the value of the second control state quantity based on the environmental information, which is one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature, the ambient atmospheric pressure, and the ambient humidity, in addition to the drive current Iout. That is, the estimation result may be output as the second estimated value.

[0103] Further, in the second estimation process S24 of the second embodiment, the control device 170 may estimate the value of the first control state quantity based on the environmental information, which is one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature, the ambient atmospheric pressure, and the ambient humidity, in addition to the drive current Iout and the drive frequency fp. Also, in the second estimation process S25, the control device 170 may estimate the value of the second control state quantity based on the environmental information, which is one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature, the ambient atmospheric pressure, and the ambient humidity, in addition to the drive current Iout and the drive frequency fp.

[0104] The amount and particle size of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device 50 are affected by disturbances such as environmental temperature, environmental humidity, and environmental atmospheric pressure. Therefore, according to the above configuration, by using a lot of environmental information reflecting the operating environment of the atomizing device 50, even if a disturbance caused by the surrounding environment of the atomizing device 50 occurs, the accuracy of the first estimated value of the first control state quantity and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity is not likely to decrease. Note that by using all of the drive current Iout, drive voltage Vout, drive frequency fp, environmental temperature, environmental atmospheric pressure, and environmental humidity, the estimation accuracy of the first control state quantity and the second control state quantity can be significantly improved.

[0105] · The configuration as a functional block of the control device 70 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the control device 70 may not have the first target value generation unit 71 as a functional block. That is, it may not be necessary to generate the target value of the first control state quantity. In this case, as the particle size target value Dr and the particle amount target value qr, a fixed value determined in advance may be used, or the value input by the user may be used as it is. In the case of this modification example, reading the particle size target value Dr and the particle amount target value qr stored in the storage unit or the like of the control device 70 or receiving a value from the outside corresponds to the acquisition process S11.

[0106] Also, the control device 70 may not have the voltage target value generation unit 74 as a functional block. In this case, based on the drive current target value Ir output by the current target value generation unit 73, the control unit 76 of the control device 70 may control the drive device 60.

[0107] · In the acquisition process S11, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 may not acquire the drive voltage acquisition value Vp. And in the first estimation process S13, the control device 70 may estimate the value of the first control state quantity based on at least the drive current Iout and output the first estimated value, and may control the drive device 60 based on the target value of the drive current Iout. In this regard, the same applies to the estimation of the second control state quantity in the second estimation process S15. Note that when the drive voltage acquisition value Vp is not acquired, the voltage dividing circuit including the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 in the drive device 60 can be omitted.

[0108] ·The control device 70 may not be able to execute the second target value generation process S14 and the second estimation process S15. In this case, in the drive current target value generation process S16, the control device 70 may generate the drive current target value Ir based on the error between the target value of the first control state quantity and the first estimated value of the first control state quantity.

[0109] ·In the first estimation process S13 and the second estimation process S15, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 may not output each estimated value using the relationship defining data. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the storage device of the control device 70 may store a learned model that has been pre-trained to output a first estimated value of the first control state quantity using a plurality of input parameters including the drive current acquisition value Ip that reflects the drive current Iout as inputs. Then, in the first estimation process S13, the estimation unit 75 of the control device 70 may output the first estimated value of the first control state quantity by inputting the plurality of input parameters into the learned model. Also, the estimation unit 75 may use an observer or a Kalman filter as a state estimator. Further, in this modification example, as long as it is a parameter that reflects the drive current Iout, not only the drive current acquisition value Ip but also the drive current Iout itself or other parameters can be adopted as input parameters. The plurality of parameters are, for example, the drive current acquisition value Ip, the drive voltage acquisition value Vp, the drive frequency fp, the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity, and the environmental atmospheric pressure, etc. These points are the same for the second estimation process S15.

[0110] By using a learned model that takes a plurality of input parameters as inputs, the estimation accuracy of the first estimated value and the second estimated value is improved. Further, the chemical solution atomized by the atomizing device 50 has different concentrations and specific gravities of the chemical solution per unit volume depending on the type of drug dissolved in the chemical solution. That is, depending on the type of drug, the dependencies of the amount of particles and the particle diameter on the operating environment such as the driving voltage Vout are different. According to the above configuration, by implementing a learning model for each chemical solution, each estimated value can be output with high accuracy regardless of the type of chemical solution. And when there are a plurality of input parameters, there may be cases where the relationship with each estimated value cannot be expressed by a simple arithmetic formula or the like. Even in such cases, if it is a machine-learned learned model, an estimation model for each control state quantity can be realized without imposing an excessive burden on the designer of the nebulizer 10.

[0111] · The control device 70 may include a communication device capable of communicating with an external device. And the control device 70 may be able to output to the outside a pair of the first estimated value of the first control state quantity output in the first estimation process S13 and the time data when the first estimation process S13 is executed. For example, it may be possible to transmit a pair of the first estimated value of the first control state quantity and the time data to the cloud or the like.

[0112] Thereby, it is possible to record the history of treatment by the nebulizer 10. Specifically, it is possible to record the data of the treatment time and the total dosage represented by the multiplication of the amount of particles and the particle diameter.

[0113] Note that the control device 70 may be able to output to the outside a value other than the first estimated value, for example, the second estimated value. Also, the control device 70 may be able to output to the outside the cumulative value of the driving time of the atomizing device 50. Thereby, for example, the aging change situation of the atomizing device 50 can be grasped.

[0114] <Supplementary Note> The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiments and modification examples will be described. [1]An electric atomizing device capable of atomizing a liquid, a driving device for supplying power to the atomizing device, and a control device for controlling the driving device, wherein the amount of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is defined as the particle amount, the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is defined as the particle diameter, and when one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle diameter are defined as control state quantities, the control device estimates the value of the control state quantity based on the driving current supplied to the atomizing device by the driving device, and outputs the estimation result as an estimated value; an estimation process; a current target value generation process for generating a target value of the driving current based on a target value of the control state quantity and an error between the estimated value of the control state quantity; and a driving process for controlling the driving device based on the target value of the driving current.

[0115] [2]The control device according to [1], wherein in the estimation process, in addition to the driving current, the control state quantity is estimated based on the driving voltage applied to the atomizing device by the driving device, and the estimation result is output as the estimated value.

[0116] [3]When one or more information selected from the ambient temperature which is the ambient temperature, the ambient air pressure which is the ambient air pressure, and the ambient humidity which is the ambient humidity is defined as environmental information, in the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state quantity based on the environmental information in addition to the driving current, and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The atomizer according to [1] or [2].

[0117] [4]The control device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein in the driving process, based on the actual value of the driving current and the target value of the driving current, the driving voltage applied to the atomizing device by the driving device is feedback-controlled so that the actual value of the driving current approaches the target value of the driving current.

[0118] [5]The atomizer according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the control device can output a pair of the estimated value of the control state quantity output in the estimation process and the time data when the estimation process is executed to the outside.

[0119] [6] The control device stores a learned model that has been pre-trained to output the estimated value of the control state quantity using a plurality of input parameters including parameters reflecting the drive current as inputs. In the estimation process, the estimated value of the control state quantity is output by inputting the plurality of input parameters into the learned model. The nebulizer according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0120] [7] The atomizing device is a blower capable of atomizing the liquid by pumping a gas and spraying it onto the liquid. When the control state quantity is defined as the first control state quantity, the estimation process is defined as the first estimation process, the estimated value is defined as the first estimated value, and one or more selected from the pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device and the flow rate of the gas pumped by the atomizing device are defined as the second control state quantity, the control device executes a second estimation process of estimating the value of the second control state quantity based on the drive current and outputting the estimation result as the second estimated value. In the current target value generation process, based on the error between the target value of the first control state quantity and the first estimated value of the first control state quantity, the target value of the second control state quantity generated, and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity, the target value of the drive current is generated. The nebulizer according to any one of [1] to [6].

[0121] [8] When one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature which is the ambient temperature, the ambient air pressure which is the ambient air pressure, and the ambient humidity which is the ambient humidity are defined as environmental information, in the second estimation process, the control device estimates the second control state quantity based on the environmental information in addition to the drive current and outputs the estimation result as the second estimated value. The nebulizer according to [7].

[0122] [9] In the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state quantity based on the drive frequency of the alternating current power supplied to the atomizing device in addition to the drive current and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The nebulizer according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0123]

[10] In the driving process, based on the actual value of the driving current and the target value of the driving current, the control device performs feedback control on the driving frequency so that the actual value of the driving current approaches the target value of the driving current. The nebulizer according to [9].

[0124]

[11] When one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature which is the surrounding temperature, the ambient air pressure which is the surrounding air pressure, and the ambient humidity which is the surrounding humidity are used as environmental information, in the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state quantity based on the driving current, the driving frequency, and the environmental information in addition to the driving current, and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The nebulizer according to [9] or

[10] .

[0125]

[12] The atomizing device is a blower capable of atomizing the liquid by pumping a gas and spraying it onto the liquid. When the control state quantity is the first control state quantity, the estimation process is the first estimation process, the estimated value is the first estimated value, and one or more selected from the pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device and the flow rate of the gas pumped by the atomizing device are the second control state quantities, the control device executes a second estimation process of estimating the value of the second control state quantity based on the driving current and outputting the estimation result as the second estimated value. In the current target value generation process, based on the error between the target value of the second control state quantity generated based on the target value of the first control state quantity and the first estimated value of the first control state quantity and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity, the control device generates the target value of the driving current. The nebulizer according to any one of [9] to

[11] .

[0126]

[13] When one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature which is the surrounding temperature, the ambient air pressure which is the surrounding air pressure, and the ambient humidity which is the surrounding humidity are used as environmental information, in the second estimation process, the control device estimates the second control state quantity based on the driving current, the driving frequency, and the environmental information in addition to the driving current, and outputs the estimation result as the second estimated value. The nebulizer according to

[12] .

[0127]

[14] An electric atomizing device capable of atomizing a liquid, a driving device for supplying power to the atomizing device, and a control device for controlling the driving device are applied to a nebulizer. When the amount of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is taken as the particle amount, the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device is taken as the particle diameter, and one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle diameter are taken as the control state quantity, the control device estimates the value of the control state quantity based on the driving current supplied to the atomizing device by the driving device, outputs the estimation result as an estimated value, a current target value generation process for generating a target value of the driving current based on the target value of the control state quantity and the error of the estimated value of the control state quantity, and a driving process for controlling the driving device based on the target value of the driving current. A program for a nebulizer that causes the above processes to be executed.

Explanation of Signs

[0128] 10…Nebulizer 20…Blower Unit 30…Tank Unit 40…Discharge Unit 50…Atomizing Device 60…Driving Device Vout…Driving Voltage Iout…Driving Current Vp…Driving Voltage Acquisition Value Ip…Driving Current Acquisition Value 70…Control Device Dr…Particle Diameter Target Value qr…Particle Amount Target Value dD…Particle Diameter Error dq…Particle Amount Error Pr…Pressure Target Value Qr…Flow Rate Target Value dP…Pressure Error dQ…Flow Rate Error Ir…Driving Current Target Value dI…Driving Current Error 74…Voltage Target Value Generation Unit Vr…Driving Voltage Target Value De…Particle Diameter Estimated Value qe…Particle Amount Estimated Value Pe…Pressure Estimated Value Qe…Flow Rate Estimated Value PG… Program 100… Nebulizer 170… Control device fr… Target value of drive frequency 160… Drive device fp… Drive frequency

Claims

1. An electric atomizing device capable of atomizing a liquid, A driving device for supplying power to the atomizing device, A control device for controlling the driving device, comprising: taking the amount of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device as the particle amount, taking the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device as the particle diameter, when one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle diameter are used as control state variables, the control device estimates the value of the control state variable based on the driving current supplied to the atomizing device by the driving device, and outputs the estimation result as an estimated value in an estimation process; generates a target value of the driving current based on the target value of the control state variable and the error between the estimated value of the control state variable in a current target value generation process; controls the driving device based on the target value of the driving current in a driving process; and executes a nebulizer.

2. In the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state variable based on the driving voltage applied to the atomizing device by the driving device in addition to the driving current, and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

3. When one or more information selected from the ambient temperature which is the ambient temperature, the ambient air pressure which is the ambient air pressure, and the ambient humidity which is the ambient humidity are used as ambient information, in the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state variable based on the ambient information in addition to the driving current, and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

4. In the drive process, the control device performs feedback control on the drive voltage applied to the atomizing device by the drive device so that the actual value of the drive current approaches the target value of the drive current based on the actual value of the drive current and the target value of the drive current. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

5. The control device can output, to the outside, a pair of the estimated value of the control state quantity output in the estimation process and the time data at which the estimation process is executed. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

6. The control device stores a learned model that has been pre-trained to output the estimated value of the control state quantity using, as inputs, a plurality of input parameters including a parameter that reflects the drive current. In the estimation process, the estimated value of the control state quantity is output by inputting the plurality of input parameters into the learned model. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

7. The atomizing device is a blower capable of atomizing the liquid by pumping a gas and spraying it onto the liquid. Taking the control state quantity as the first control state quantity, the estimation process as the first estimation process, and the estimated value as the first estimated value. When one or more selected from the pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device and the flow rate of the gas pumped by the atomizing device are used as the second control state quantity. The control device executes a second estimation process of estimating the value of the second control state quantity based on the drive current and outputting the estimation result as the second estimated value. In the current target value generation process. Based on the error between the target value of the second control state quantity generated based on the target value of the first control state quantity and the error between the first estimated value of the first control state quantity, and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity, the target value of the drive current is generated. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

8. When one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature as the ambient temperature, the ambient air pressure as the ambient air pressure, and the ambient humidity as the ambient humidity are used as environmental information, in the second estimation process, the control device estimates the second control state quantity based on the environmental information in addition to the drive current, and outputs the estimation result as the second estimated value. The nebulizer according to claim 7.

9. In the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state quantity based on the drive frequency of the AC power supplied to the atomizing device in addition to the drive current, and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The nebulizer according to claim 1.

10. In the drive process, the control device performs feedback control on the drive frequency so that the actual value of the drive current approaches the target value of the drive current based on the actual value and the target value of the drive current. The nebulizer according to claim 9.

11. When one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature as the ambient temperature, the ambient air pressure as the ambient air pressure, and the ambient humidity as the ambient humidity are used as environmental information, in the estimation process, the control device estimates the control state quantity based on the drive frequency and the environmental information in addition to the drive current, and outputs the estimation result as the estimated value. The nebulizer according to claim 9.

12. The atomizing device is a blower capable of atomizing the liquid by pumping a gas and spraying it onto the liquid, taking the control state quantity as the first control state quantity, the estimation process as the first estimation process, and the estimated value as the first estimated value, when one or more selected from the pressure of the gas pumped by the atomizing device and the flow rate of the gas pumped by the atomizing device are used as the second control state quantity, the control device Execute a second estimation process that estimates the value of the second control state quantity based on the drive current and outputs the estimation result as a second estimated value. In the current target value generation process, Based on the error between the target value of the second control state quantity generated based on the target value of the first control state quantity and the first estimated value of the first control state quantity, and the second estimated value of the second control state quantity, generate the target value of the drive current. The nebulizer according to claim 9.

13. When one or more pieces of information selected from the ambient temperature which is the surrounding temperature, the ambient air pressure which is the surrounding atmospheric pressure, and the ambient humidity which is the surrounding humidity are used as environmental information, In the second estimation process, the control device estimates the second control state quantity based on the drive frequency and the environmental information in addition to the drive current, and outputs the estimation result as the second estimated value. The nebulizer according to claim 12.

14. An electric atomizing device capable of atomizing a liquid, A drive device that supplies power to the atomizing device, A control device that controls the drive device, Applied to a nebulizer comprising: Regarding the amount of liquid atomized by the atomizing device as the particle amount, Regarding the diameter of the particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing device as the particle diameter, When one or more selected from the particle amount and the particle diameter are used as control state quantities, For the control device, An estimation process that estimates the value of the control state quantity based on the drive current supplied to the atomizing device by the drive device and outputs the estimation result as an estimated value, A current target value generation process that generates the target value of the drive current based on the target value of the control state quantity and the error between the estimated value of the control state quantity, A drive process that controls the drive device based on the target value of the drive current, Cause to execute. Program for a nebulizer.

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