Ultrasonic device

Abstract

To suppress increase in power consumption while applying sufficient ultrasonic energy to an object.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic device 10, which radiates ultrasonic waves US from its distal end, comprises: a vibration generation part which generates a vibration; a diaphragm 62 which is connected to the distal end side of the vibration generation part and has a distal end face 62A; and an outer tube 30 which has a tubular shape extending in a longitudinal direction with a center axis L as an axis center and houses the vibration generation part and the diaphragm 62 inside. The outer tube 30 comprises: a slide part 32 which has an emission port 31 for emitting the ultrasonic waves US to the outside; and a support part 33 which supports the slide part 32 movably in a longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, small ultrasonic projection devices have been used as ultrasonic for vehicles and parametric speakers that project sound waves with directivity. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-97052 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses an ultrasonic projection device that transmits vibrations generated by a vibrating unit to a diaphragm to project ultrasonic waves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an ultrasonic projection device, the sound pressure of ultrasonic waves emitted into the air diffuses and rapidly weakens. Therefore, in order to apply sufficient ultrasonic energy to an object, it is necessary to increase the output of the ultrasonic projection device, which increases power consumption.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress an increase in power consumption while applying sufficient ultrasonic energy to an object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The ultrasonic device of the present disclosure is an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic waves from its tip, and includes a vibration generating unit that generates vibrations, a diaphragm connected to the tip side of the vibration generating unit and having a tip-facing surface, and an outer cylinder that has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction with a central axis as the axis and houses the vibration generating unit and the diaphragm therein. The outer cylinder includes a slide portion having an outlet for discharging the ultrasonic waves to the outside, and a support portion that supports the slide portion so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption while applying sufficient ultrasonic energy to an object.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The ultrasonic device of the present disclosure is an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic waves from its tip, and includes a vibration generating unit that generates vibrations, a diaphragm connected to the tip side of the vibration generating unit and having a tip-facing surface, and an outer cylinder that has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction with a central axis as its axis and houses the vibration generating unit and the diaphragm inside. The outer cylinder includes a slide portion having an outlet for discharging the ultrasonic waves to the outside, and a support portion that supports the slide portion so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0010] Since the slide portion is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the support portion, the dimension from the tip-facing surface to the object can be made variable, and it can be adjusted so that the amplitude is maximum at the object. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption while applying sufficient ultrasonic energy to the object.

[0011] [2] It is preferable that the slide portion is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the support portion.

[0012] [3] It is preferable that the slide portion is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the support portion.

[0013] [4] It is preferable that the slide portion includes a cylindrical portion extending in the front-rear direction with a constant inner diameter, and a tip portion provided continuously to the cylindrical portion and having a smaller inner diameter as it approaches the outlet from the cylindrical portion. Ultrasonic waves can be applied pinpoint to the object.

[0014] [5] It is preferable to further include a mesh-like cover detachably attached to the slide portion so as to cover the outlet. Since the cover can be replaced with a new one when it gets old, the surface in contact with the object can be kept clean.

[0015] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the ultrasonic device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown in an exaggerated or simplified manner. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing. In addition, "parallel", "perpendicular", and "orthogonal" in this specification include not only the cases of strict parallelism, perpendicularity, and orthogonality, but also the cases that are generally parallel, perpendicular, and orthogonal within the scope where the actions and effects of the present embodiment are achieved.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic device 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The ultrasonic device 10 is a device that irradiates ultrasonic waves US into the air toward an object TO. The ultrasonic device 10 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a central axis L as the axis. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the central axis L extends is defined as the front-back direction. Also, the direction orthogonal to the central axis L is defined as the radial direction. Further, the side of the first block body 21 viewed from the second block body 22 described later in the front-back direction is defined as the front side (corresponding to the "tip side" of the present disclosure). Also, the side of the second block body 22 viewed from the first block body 21 is defined as the rear side. However, the installation posture of the ultrasonic device 10 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited.

[0017] (Configuration of Ultrasonic Device 10) As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic device 10 of the present embodiment includes a bolt-tightened Langevin type vibrator (hereinafter referred to as "BLT") 20 and an outer cylinder 30 that houses the BLT 20 inside. The ultrasonic device 10 of the present embodiment is used for health care products using ultrasonic waves and the like. However, the use of the ultrasonic device 10 is not limited to health care products, and it may also be an air ultrasonic sensor or air haptics.

[0018] (Configuration of BLT20) The BLT20 includes a first block body 21, a second block body 22, a piezoelectric unit 40, a bolt 50, and a tip member 60. The first block body 21, the second block body 22, and the piezoelectric unit 40 are arranged in the order of the second block body 22, the piezoelectric unit 40, and the first block body 21 from the rear side in the front-rear direction. That is, the arrangement direction of the first block body 21, the second block body 22, and the piezoelectric unit 40 is the front-rear direction. The piezoelectric unit 40 corresponds to the "vibration generating part" of the present disclosure.

[0019] The first block body 21 is a metal block body formed in a cylindrical shape with the central axis L as the axis. The first block body 21 is formed of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 23 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the first block body 21. The through hole 23 is formed in the central portion of the first block body 21 when viewed from the front-rear direction. Female threads for screwing the bolt 50 and the tip member 60 are formed on the inner wall surface of the through hole 23.

[0020] A flange 24 is formed at the rear end portion of the first block body 21. The flange 24 of the present embodiment is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first block body 21, but it may be formed separately from the first block body 21. Further, the flange 24 of the present embodiment is formed over the entire circumference of the first block body 21, but it may be connected to a part of the first block body 21.

[0021] The second block body 22 is a metal block body formed in a cylindrical shape with the central axis L as the axis. The diameter of the second block body 22 is the same as the diameter of the first block body 21. However, the diameter of the second block body 22 may be different from the diameter of the first block body 21. The second block body 22 is formed of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron, or the like. The second block body 22 may be formed of the same material as the first block body 21, or may be formed of a material different from the first block body 21.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, a bottomed hole 25 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the second block body 22. The hole 25 is formed at the center of the second block body 22 when viewed in the front-rear direction. The hole 25 is formed so as to be recessed from the front surface of the second block body 22 toward the rear side. An internal thread for screwing the bolt 50 is formed on the inner wall surface of the hole 25. For example, the diameter of the hole 25 is the same as the diameter of the through hole 23 of the first block body 21. However, the diameter of the hole 25 may be different from the diameter of the through hole 23.

[0023] The piezoelectric unit 40 has a pair of power supply terminals 41A and 41B that are supplied with power from a power supply unit (not shown), and generates vibration by the power received by the power supply terminals 41A and 41B. The piezoelectric unit 40 includes, for example, a plurality of stacked disk-shaped piezoelectric ceramic elements. The piezoelectric unit 40 is formed in an annular shape centered on the central axis L. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the piezoelectric unit 40 is slightly smaller than the diameters of the first block body 21 and the second block body 22. However, the outer diameter of the piezoelectric unit 40 may be larger than or equal to the diameters of the first block body 21 and the second block body 22.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, two piezoelectric units 40 are arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. However, the number of piezoelectric units 40 can be changed. That is, the ultrasonic device 10 may include a single piezoelectric unit 40.

[0025] These piezoelectric units 40 are arranged between the first block body 21 and the second block body 22 in the front-rear direction. The first block body 21 is located on the front side of the piezoelectric unit 40. Also, the second block body 22 is located on the rear side of the piezoelectric unit 40. These piezoelectric units 40 are sandwiched between the first block body 21 and the second block body 22.

[0026] The bolt 50 extends along the central axis L and is arranged to overlap the central axis L. A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bolt 50. The bolt 50 penetrates through the annular piezoelectric unit 40 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] The first block body 21 is fixed to the front end portion of the bolt 50, and the second block body 22 is fixed to the rear end portion of the bolt 50. The front end portion of the bolt 50 is inserted into the through hole 23 of the first block body 21. The male thread of the bolt 50 is screwed with the female thread formed on the inner wall surface of the through hole 23. Further, the rear end portion of the bolt 50 is inserted into the hole portion 25 of the second block body 22. The male thread of the bolt 50 is screwed with the female thread formed on the inner wall surface of the hole portion 25.

[0028] The first block body 21 and the second block body 22 are screwed onto the bolt 50, and the piezoelectric unit 40 is sandwiched between the first block body 21 and the second block body 22, so that the first block body 21, the second block body 22, and the piezoelectric unit 40 are integrated.

[0029] The tip member 60 is a member attached to the first block body 21 from the front side. The tip member 60 is formed of, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron, or the like. The tip member 60 may be formed of the same material as the first block body 21 and the second block body 22, or may be formed of a material different from that of the first block body 21 and the second block body 22. This tip member 60 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a base portion 61, a diaphragm 62, a connecting portion 63, and a shaft portion 64.

[0030] The base portion 61 directly or indirectly supports the diaphragm 62, the connecting portion 63, and the shaft portion 64. The base portion 61 is a disk-shaped portion formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The connecting portion 63 is connected to the front side of the base portion 61, and the shaft portion 64 is connected to the rear side of the base portion 61. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the base portion 61 is slightly larger than the diameter of the first block body 21. However, the diameter of the base portion 61 may be equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first block body 21.

[0031] The diaphragm 62 is located on the front side of the base 61 and is connected to the base 61 via the connection portion 63. The diaphragm 62 is a disk-shaped portion formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The diaphragm 62 vibrates when the vibration generated by the piezoelectric unit 40 is transmitted thereto. When the diaphragm 62 vibrates, ultrasonic wave US is radiated. The direction from the front-end facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 toward the object TO is the front side, and the direction from the diaphragm 62 toward the flange 24 is the rear side. Most of the ultrasonic wave US is radiated forward from the front-end facing surface 62A which is the front surface of the diaphragm 62, and a part of the ultrasonic wave US is also radiated rearward from the diaphragm 62.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the diameter of the diaphragm 62 is the same as the diameter of the first block body 21. However, the diameter of the diaphragm 62 may be different from the diameter of the first block body 21. That is, the diameter of the diaphragm 62 may be larger or smaller than the diameter of the first block body 21.

[0033] The connection portion 63 is provided between the base 61 and the diaphragm 62 and supports the diaphragm 62. This connection portion 63 has a groove portion 63A formed in an annular shape around the central axis L. The inner wall surface of the groove portion 63A is a smooth surface connecting the diaphragm 62 and the base 61. Here, the term "smooth" means that the whole is formed by a curved surface or a flat surface and no bent portion is provided.

[0034] As described above, the groove portion 63A is formed in an annular shape around the central axis L. The cross-sectional shape by a plane including the central axis L is a semi-elliptical shape that is recessed from the outer side in the radial direction toward the inner side as shown in FIG. 2. The minor axis of this semi-elliptical shape is parallel to the central axis L. Also, the major axis of this semi-elliptical shape is parallel to the radial direction.

[0035] However, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 63A may be a semi-elliptical shape in which the minor axis is parallel to the radial direction and the major axis is parallel to the central axis L. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 63A may be a semi-circular shape or a horseshoe shape. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 63A may be any shape as long as the whole is a curved surface or a surface without a bent portion formed by combining a curved surface and a flat surface.

[0036] The shaft portion 64 is connected to the center of the base portion 61 as viewed from the front-rear direction, and protrudes rearward from the base portion 61. The shaft portion 64 is formed in a columnar shape. A male screw that is screwed into the female screw of the through hole 23 of the first block body 21 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 64. The tip member 60 is fixed to the first block body 21 by screwing the shaft portion 64 into the through hole 23 until the rear surface of the base portion 61 abuts against the front surface of the first block body 21.

[0037] The outer cylinder 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the central axis L as the axis. The outer cylinder 30 is formed of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron, or the like. BLT20 is accommodated inside the outer cylinder 30. The rear end of the outer cylinder 30 coincides with the rear end of BLT20 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the outer cylinder 30 is located forward of the front end of BLT20 in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The outer cylinder 30 includes a slide portion 32 having a discharge port 31 for discharging ultrasonic waves US to the outside, and a support portion 33 that supports the slide portion 32 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Both the slide portion 32 and the support portion 33 are formed in a cylindrical shape. The slide portion 32 is fitted inside the support portion 33. The slide portion 32 is slidably supported by the support portion 33 by a slide mechanism (not shown).

[0039] The inner diameter D1 of the support portion 33 is the same as the diameter of the flange 24 of the first block body 21. The inner diameter D1 of the support portion 33 is constant at any position in the front-rear direction. For example, BLT20 may be fixed to the outer cylinder 30 by welding the outer edge of the flange 24 to the inner wall surface of the support portion 33.

[0040] In such an ultrasonic device 10 of the present embodiment, when power is supplied from an external power supply unit to the piezoelectric unit 40, the piezoelectric unit 40 vibrates. By setting the driving frequency of the piezoelectric unit 40 to the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic device 10, the ultrasonic device 10 resonates with the vibration of the piezoelectric unit 40. As a result, the diaphragm 62 vibrates strongly, generating ultrasonic waves US with a high sound pressure. Most of the generated ultrasonic waves US are radiated forward from the front-end facing surface 62A, and a part of the ultrasonic waves US is also radiated rearward from the diaphragm 62. In this way, the ultrasonic device 10 radiates the ultrasonic waves US generated by the diaphragm 62 into the air. Further, when reflected by the object TO, a standing wave is generated in front of the diaphragm 62. The diaphragm 62 is disposed at the position of the antinode of the longitudinal vibration when the ultrasonic device 10 resonates. As a result, the amplitude of the diaphragm 62 can be increased, and ultrasonic waves US with a higher sound pressure can be output.

[0041] In the present embodiment, by sliding the slide portion 32 with respect to the support portion 33, for example, the dimension L1 from the front-end facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 to the front end 32A of the slide portion 32 can be set to 0.8 times or more and 1.2 times or less of an integral multiple of the half wavelength HW of the vibration. Therefore, when the front end 32A of the slide portion 32 is applied to the object TO, the dimension from the front-end facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 to the object TO is 0.8 times or more and 1.2 times or less of an integral multiple of the half wavelength HW of the vibration.

[0042] The dimension L1 of the present embodiment is twice the half wavelength HW of the vibration, but it may be one time the half wavelength HW or an integral multiple of 3 or more. By doing so, the amplitude becomes maximum at the position of the object TO, so that ultrasonic waves US with a higher sound pressure can be applied to the object TO. Further, since the ultrasonic waves US radiated rearward from the diaphragm 62 are reflected by the flange 24 and go forward, leakage of the ultrasonic waves US can be prevented and the ultrasonic application to the object TO can be increased.

[0043] (Operational effects of Embodiment 1) The ultrasonic device 10 of the present disclosure is an ultrasonic device 10 that emits ultrasonic waves US from its tip toward an object TO, and includes a piezoelectric unit 40 that generates vibrations corresponding to the ultrasonic waves US, and a diaphragm 62 that is connected to the tip side of the piezoelectric unit 40, has a tip-facing surface 62A, and emits the ultrasonic waves US toward the object TO when the vibrations generated by the piezoelectric unit 40 are transmitted thereto. The ultrasonic device 10 further includes an outer cylinder 30 that has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction with a central axis L as its axis and houses the piezoelectric unit 40 and the diaphragm 62 therein. The outer cylinder 30 includes a slide portion 32 having an outlet 31 for discharging the ultrasonic waves US to the outside, and a support portion 33 that supports the slide portion 32 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0044] Since the slide portion 32 is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the support portion 33, the dimension from the tip-facing surface 62A to the object TO can be made variable, and adjustment can be made so that the amplitude is maximized at the object TO. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption while applying sufficient ultrasonic energy to the object TO.

[0045] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The ultrasonic device 110 of Embodiment 2 is obtained by changing the shape of the slide portion 32 of Embodiment 1, and the other configurations are the same as those of the ultrasonic device 10 of Embodiment 1. The same reference numerals as those in Embodiment 1 will be used for the same configurations as those in Embodiment 1.

[0046] The ultrasonic device 110 includes a BLT 20 and an outer cylinder 130 that houses the BLT 20 therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer cylinder 130 of the present embodiment includes a slide portion 132 having an outlet 131 for discharging the ultrasonic waves US to the outside, and a support portion 33 that supports the slide portion 132 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The slide portion 132 is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the support portion 33.

[0047] The dimension L2 of this embodiment is twice the half-wavelength HW of the vibration and is the same as the dimension L1 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, when the front end 132A of the slide portion 132 is applied to the object TO, the dimension from the tip-facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 to the object TO is twice the half-wavelength HW of the vibration.

[0048] (Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The ultrasonic device 210 of Embodiment 3 has a modified shape of the slide portion 32 of Embodiment 1, and the other configurations are the same as those of the ultrasonic device 10 of Embodiment 1. The same configurations as those in Embodiment 1 shall be denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1.

[0049] The ultrasonic device 210 includes a BLT 20 and an outer cylinder 230 that houses the BLT 20 therein. The outer cylinder 230 includes a slide portion 232 having an emission port 231 for emitting ultrasonic waves US to the outside, and a support portion 33 that supports the slide portion 232 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The slide portion 232 of the present embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 233 extending in a cylindrical shape and a tip portion 234 formed continuously at the front end of the cylindrical portion 233. The cylindrical portion 233 is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the support portion 33.

[0050] The cylindrical portion 233 has the same shape as the slide portion 32 of Embodiment 1 and is shorter than the slide portion 32 of Embodiment 1 by the length of the tip portion 234 in the front-rear direction. The dimension L3 from the tip-facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 to the front end 234A of the tip portion 234 is twice the half-wavelength HW of the vibration and is the same as the dimension L1 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, when the front end 234A of the tip portion 234 is applied to the object TO, the dimension from the tip-facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 to the object TO is twice the half-wavelength HW of the vibration.

[0051] The tip portion 234 is formed in a frustum shape with the central axis L as the axis. The front end 234A and the rear end 234B of the tip portion 234 are open in the front-rear direction. The inner diameter D2 of the tip portion 234 becomes smaller as it approaches the front end 234A (the discharge port 231) from the rear end 234B (the front end of the cylindrical portion 233). The inner diameter D2 at the rear end 234B of the tip portion 234 is the same as the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical portion 233.

[0052] According to the present embodiment, since a part of the ultrasonic wave US radiated from the tip-facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 is reflected by the inner wall surface of the tip portion 234 and heads toward the discharge port 231, sufficient ultrasonic energy can be applied to the object TO, and the ultrasonic wave US can be applied to the object TO pinpointedly.

[0053] (Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The ultrasonic device 310 of Embodiment 4 is obtained by adding a mesh-shaped cover 70 to the ultrasonic device 10 of Embodiment 1, and other configurations are the same as those of the ultrasonic device 10 of Embodiment 1. The same components as those in Embodiment 1 shall be denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1.

[0054] The ultrasonic device 310 includes a BLT 20, an outer cylinder 330 that houses the BLT 20 therein, and a mesh-shaped cover 70. The outer cylinder 330 includes a slide portion 332 having a discharge port 331 for emitting the ultrasonic wave US to the outside, and a support portion 33 that supports the slide portion 332 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The slide portion 332 is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the support portion 33. The cover 70 is attached to the front end 332A of the slide portion 332 so as to cover the discharge port 331.

[0055] The cover 70 of the present embodiment is a cover having a metal mesh structure, but may be a cover having a resin mesh structure. The cover 70 is detachable from the front end 332A of the slide portion 332 and can be replaced with a new cover 70 when the cover 70 becomes old. Therefore, the surface of the cover 70 that contacts the object TO can be kept clean.

[0056] The slide part 332 of this embodiment is formed shorter than the slide part 32 of Embodiment 1 by the thickness dimension of the cover 70. Therefore, the dimension L4 from the tip-facing surface 62A of the diaphragm 62 to the front end 70A of the cover 70 is twice the half wavelength HW of the vibration and is the same as the dimension L1 of Embodiment 1.

[0057] (Other embodiments) The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non-conflicting range.

[0058] · In Embodiments 1 to 4 above, after sliding the slide part with respect to the support part, the front end of the slide part is applied to the object TO, so that the dimension from the tip-facing surface 62A to the object TO becomes twice the half wavelength of the vibration. However, after applying the front end of the slide part to the object TO, the dimension from the tip-facing surface 62A to the object TO may be made twice the half wavelength of the vibration by sliding the support part with respect to the slide part.

[0059] · In Embodiments 1 to 4 above, the connecting part 63 is exemplified as the support for fixing the diaphragm 62, but it may be a round bar-shaped support extending in the front-rear direction. In that case, the diaphragm fixed to the tip of the support may be a flat disc-shaped diaphragm.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0060] 10, 110, 210, 310: Ultrasonic device 20: Bolt-tightened Langevin type vibrator 21: First block body 22: Second block body 23: Through hole 24: Flange 25: Hole part 30, 130, 230, 330: Outer cylinder 31, 131, 231, 331: Discharge port 32, 132, 232, 332: Slide part 32A, 132A, 332A: Front end 33: Support section 40: Piezoelectric unit (vibration generating section) 41A, 41B: Power supply terminals 50: Bolt 60: Tip member 61: Base portion 62: Diaphragm 62A: Surface facing the tip 63: Connection portion 63A: Groove portion 64: Shaft portion 70: Cover 70A: Front end 233: Cylindrical portion 234: Tip portion 234A: Front end 234B: Rear end D1, D2, D3: Inner diameter L: Central axis L1, L2, L3, L4: Dimensions TO: Object US: Ultrasonic

Claims

1. An ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic waves from its tip, comprising: a vibration generating unit that generates vibrations; a diaphragm connected to the tip side of the vibration generating unit and having a tip-facing surface; a cylindrical outer cylinder extending in the front-rear direction with a central axis as its axis and housing the vibration generating unit and the diaphragm therein. The outer cylinder includes a slide portion having an outlet for discharging the ultrasonic waves to the outside, and a support portion that supports the slide portion so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

2. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1, wherein the slide portion is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the support portion.

3. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1, wherein the slide portion is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the support portion.

4. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the slide portion includes a cylindrical portion extending in the front-rear direction with a constant inner diameter, and a tip portion provided continuously to the cylindrical portion and having a smaller inner diameter as it approaches the outlet from the cylindrical portion.

5. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a mesh-like cover attached to the slide portion so as to cover the outlet.

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