Mist generator and cartridge

Abstract

By holding liquid in a cartridge with a mist outlet and attaching the cartridge to a base, it is possible to easily generate mist. [Solution] The mist generating device 1 includes a housing portion 90 including a cylindrical structure 901 and a structure 902 that provides a gap region between the structure 901 and the outer circumferential surface of the structure 901; a cartridge 10 including a liquid holding member 102 housed in the gap region that discharges liquid when pressed from the outside, and a pressing portion 91 that is slidable in the gap region and discharges liquid when slid and presses the liquid holding member 102; a mounting portion 200 to which the cartridge 10 can be attached, a projection 203 for sliding the pressing portion 91, a liquid storage portion 201 capable of storing liquid, and a mist generating portion 202 connected to a seventh opening provided on the bottom surface that generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 102.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mist generating device and a cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] Devices that generate mist from a stored aqueous solution and generate the mist in a space have been developed. For example, an external case provided with a mist discharge port on the front, a liquid storage tank connected to a liquid supply port that opens outside the external case via a liquid supply pipe and provided with a liquid discharge portion for storing the liquid, an ultrasonic vibrator that atomizes the liquid discharged from the discharge portion of the liquid storage tank and discharges it from the mist discharge port, a secondary battery that supplies a driving power source to the ultrasonic vibrator with a power terminal exposed outside the external case, and a switch that controls on / off the driving of the ultrasonic vibrator with an operation portion exposed outside the external case. A mist generating device main body, a main body receiving portion that detachably receives the lower portion of the mist generating device main body, a charging terminal at a position where it contacts the power terminal when the mist generating device main body is received in the main body receiving portion, and a pedestal provided with a power terminal connected to the charging terminal via a wiring outside the main body receiving portion, and a liquid replenishing means provided with a liquid supply nozzle that is directly or connected to the liquid supply port of the liquid storage tank via another pipe to supply the liquid. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1 above (hereinafter referred to as the prior art), the aqueous solution that forms the basis of the mist is held in a structure separate from the structure having the mist outlet, making it difficult to generate mist by attaching the structure having the mist outlet to a base on its own.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a mist generating device and cartridge that contribute to easily generating mist by holding a liquid in a cartridge having a mist outlet and mounting the cartridge on a base. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A mist generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a casing portion comprising: a cylindrical first structure having a first opening on its first end face and a second opening on its second end face; a housing portion including a second structure which is joined to the first structure at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and is formed by extending in the axial direction from the contact surface toward the second end face so as to provide a gap region between itself and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and which has a fifth opening at the extended tip; a liquid holding member housed in the gap region and capable of holding liquid, from which the liquid is discharged by external pressure; and a third structure housed in the gap region on the side of the fifth opening than the liquid holding member, covering the outer circumferential surface of the first structure and slidable in the axial direction, and which, when slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses the liquid holding member, the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member is directed toward the outside of the second opening and the fifth opening The device comprises a base including: a cartridge including a pressing portion for discharging from the inside; a mounting portion having a sixth opening, into which the cartridge can be mounted inside the sixth opening when the fifth opening and the sixth opening are facing each other; a projection provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion when the sixth opening is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, which slides the pressing portion when the cartridge is mounted; a liquid storage portion formed below the bottom surface and connected to the bottom surface, which can store the liquid discharged from the fifth opening; and a mist generating portion connected to a seventh opening provided on the bottom surface facing the second opening when the cartridge is mounted, which generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion, wherein when the cartridge is mounted on the base, the generated mist is discharged from the first opening via the seventh and second openings.

[0007] A cartridge according to one aspect of the present invention includes a casing portion comprising: a cylindrical first structure having a first opening on its first end face and a second opening on its second end face; a housing portion including a second structure which is joined to the first structure at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and is formed by extending in the axial direction from the contact surface toward the second end face so as to provide a gap region between it and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and which has a fifth opening at the extended tip; a liquid holding member housed in the gap region and capable of holding liquid, from which the liquid is discharged by external pressure; and a third structure housed in the gap region on the side of the fifth opening than the liquid holding member, covering the outer circumferential surface of the first structure and slidable in the axial direction, wherein when slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses against the liquid holding member, the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member The device is mounted on a base that includes a mounting portion having a sixth opening, a mounting portion having a sixth opening, a projection provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion when the sixth opening is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, a liquid storage portion molded below the bottom surface and connected to the bottom surface, and a mist generating portion connected to a seventh opening provided on the bottom surface. The device can be mounted on the base with the fifth opening and the sixth opening facing each other, and when mounted on the base, the projection slides the pressing portion, the liquid storage portion stores the liquid discharged from the fifth opening, the mist generating portion generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion, and the generated mist is released from the first opening via the seventh and second openings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate mist by holding a liquid in a cartridge having a mist outlet and attaching the cartridge to a base. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This figure shows an example of a cross-sectional view of a mist generating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a simplified diagram of a mist generating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a configuration in which the cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is in contact with the base. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a configuration in which a cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is pressed against a base. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a cross-sectional view and a top view of the base of a mist generating device according to Modification 1. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of the transition from a state in which the cartridge is in contact with the base to a state in which the cartridge is pressed against the base. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the transition from a state in which the cartridge according to Modification 2 is in contact with the base to a state in which the cartridge is pressed against the base. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the transition from the state in which the cartridge according to Modification 2 is in contact with the base to the state in which the cartridge is pressed against the base. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a cross-sectional view of a mist generating device according to Modification 3. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a simplified diagram of a cartridge related to Modified Example 3. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the housing portion relating to Modification 3. [Figure 12] This diagram shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the pressing area before sliding. [Figure 13] This diagram shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the pressing area after sliding. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of how the cartridge according to Modification 3 is mounted on the base. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (The circumstances leading to the invention of one aspect of the present invention)

[0011] The prior art provides a portable structure having a mist outlet. Therefore, the aqueous solution serving as the basis for the mist is held in a pedestal, and the main body has a configuration including a tank capable of temporarily storing the aqueous solution and an ultrasonic vibrator.

[0012] By the way, the inventor of the present invention was concerned about the danger of using fire for incense, focused on incense that can be used without using fire, and studied incense using mist. This is because the person using the incense does not need to take unnecessary precautions and can concentrate on making offerings.

[0013] When developing a device imitating incense, a configuration in which a cylindrical structure is attached to a pedestal can be considered. For example, when considering applying the prior art, the prior art includes a main body and a pedestal, and has a configuration in which the main body is attached to the pedestal.

[0014] However, the inventor of the present invention found that a configuration in which the aqueous solution serving as the basis for the mist is included in the cylindrical structure, rather than the aqueous solution serving as the basis for the mist being supplied via the pedestal, so that the material serving as the basis for the smoke of the incense is included in the incense, is suitable for the procedure related to incense. In other words, the inventor of the present invention found that when a cylindrical structure holding the aqueous solution serving as the basis for the mist is used as a cartridge, in order to be able to use each cartridge independently for each stick of incense, it is necessary to hold the aqueous solution serving as the basis for the mist in the cartridge rather than in the pedestal.

[0015] Regarding this point, in the prior art, as described above, since the aqueous solution serving as the basis for the mist is held in the pedestal, it is difficult in the prior art to generate mist imitating the procedure related to incense.

[0016] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention conceived a mist generating device that easily generates mist by holding an aqueous solution in a cartridge having a mist outlet and attaching the cartridge to a pedestal, and arrived at an aspect according to the present invention.

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The embodiments described below represent specific examples of the present disclosure. The processes or sequences of processes shown in the embodiments are examples and do not limit the technology of the present disclosure.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) The configuration and operation of the mist generator 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0019] Figure 1 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of a mist generator 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an example of a simplified view of a mist generator 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an example of a configuration in which the cartridge 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is in contact with the base 20. Figure 4 shows an example of a configuration in which the cartridge 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is pressed against the base 20.

[0020] The cross-sectional views shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 are axial cross-sectional views along the dashed line L in Figure 2. Note that in Figures 1 to 4, the control unit and power supply that drive and control the mist generation unit (described later) are omitted from the illustration. The same applies to the following figures. In this disclosure, the power supply may be a battery, an external power supply, a secondary battery, etc., and the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the type of power supply.

[0021] In Figures 1 and 2, the mist generator 1 comprises a cartridge 10 and a base 20. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cartridge 10 and the base 20 are separate and independent structures, and as will be described later, the cartridge 10 may be detachable from the base 20.

[0022] In Figures 1 and 2, the cartridge 10 includes an inner cylinder 101, an aqueous solution holding member 102, and an outer cylinder 103.

[0023] The inner cylinder 101 is a cylindrical first structure having a first opening 301 on its first end face and a second opening 302 on its second end face, and the second opening 302 may be provided at the tip of a first tapered shape having a first inclined portion on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner cylinder 101 may be a cylindrical structure in which the first end face having the first opening 301 and the second end face having the second opening 302 face each other.

[0024] The shapes of the first opening 301 and the second opening 302 may be circular or polygonal, respectively. The circular shape includes both a perfect circle and an ellipse. As will be described later, the shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the inner surface of the inner cylinder 101 may be substantially the same as that of the first opening 301 and the second opening 302 at any position in the axial direction.

[0025] The material of the structure molded as the inner cylinder 101 may be, for example, synthetic resin, wood, or metal. The material of the inner cylinder 101 is not limited to the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the inner cylinder 101 may be molded as a single structure, or it may be a combination of multiple structures.

[0026] Furthermore, the material of the structures molded as the outer cylinder 103 and base 20, as described later, may be the same as the inner cylinder 101, such as the synthetic resin mentioned above. Also, the outer cylinder 103 and base 20 may each be molded as a single structure, or they may be a combination of multiple structures, similar to the inner cylinder 101. The material of the structures and the number of parts included in the mist generator 1 are not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0027] The inner cylinder 101 has an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 may be tapered towards the second end face. A tapered shape is a shape that has at least a sloping portion in which the diameter around the axis gradually decreases. That is, the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 may have at least a first sloping portion in which the outer diameter around the axis of the inner cylinder 101 gradually decreases toward the second opening 302. By providing the first sloping portion in the inner cylinder 101, as will be described later, when the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed by the first sloping portion and the second sloping portion on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103, it is possible to prevent aqueous solution from remaining on the first end face side of the aqueous solution holding member 102.

[0028] The first tapered shape may have, for example, a portion from the tip of the first inclined section to the second opening 302 in which the outer diameter around the axis of the inner cylinder 101 is substantially the same. That is, the second opening 302 may be provided at the tip of the first inclined section, or the second opening 302 may be provided at the tip of an extended section formed by extending a predetermined length from the tip of the first inclined section. In this disclosure, "substantially identical" may mean, for example, a case where the amount of deviation caused by manufacturing errors, etc., is added to the true value compared to a case where they are truly identical.

[0029] Furthermore, if a second opening 302 is provided at the tip of the extension, as will be described later, the extension can be used to align the second opening 302 with the opening 303 in the base 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 may correspond to the fact that the outer cylinder 103 can slide from a first position to a second position, as will be described later. Specifically, for example, the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction may be substantially constant in the region from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, a sliding mechanism may be molded or added to the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 in the region from the first position to the second position.

[0031] The shape of the inner surface of the inner cylinder 101 may be substantially constant across the inner circumference of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101. Alternatively, the inner surface of the inner cylinder 101 may be formed into a predetermined shape, such as a spiral, so that the mist generated in the mist generating unit 202 (described later) is released from the first opening 301 in a predetermined manner. The shape of the inner surface of the inner cylinder 101 is not limited to this and does not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0032] The aqueous solution holding member 102 is provided on at least a portion of the first inclined portion and is capable of holding the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution may be discharged in response to external pressure.

[0033] The aqueous solution holding member 102 may be a flexible member capable of holding an aqueous solution that forms the basis of the mist described later, and capable of discharging the held aqueous solution based on external pressure. Specifically, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be a member made of a porous material for holding moisture. The porous material may be, for example, a foam such as a sponge molded from synthetic resin, or porous rubber.

[0034] The aqueous solution holding member 102 only needs to be able to hold an aqueous solution and discharge the aqueous solution in response to external pressure, and the specific material of the aqueous solution holding member 102 is not limited to the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the aqueous solution in this disclosure may be replaced with any liquid. The mist generating device 1 in this disclosure is not limited to an aqueous solution, but may generate mist from liquids including water and aqueous solutions. In the following description, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be referred to as the liquid holding member 102.

[0035] The aqueous solution holding member 102 may be provided on at least a part of the first inclined portion. Specifically, for example, if the shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101 is circular, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be provided surrounding the conical first inclined portion in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, for example, in such a case, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be provided intermittently surrounding the conical first inclined portion in the circumferential direction, or intermittently providing the conical first inclined portion in the axial direction. That is, one or more aqueous solution holding members 102 may be provided on the first inclined portion.

[0036] The occupancy rate and thickness of the first inclined portion of the aqueous solution holding member 102 can be arbitrarily set according to the desired amount of mist described later, and are not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0037] The aqueous solution holding member 102 may be fixed at least temporarily in the first inclined portion. The aqueous solution holding member 102 may be attached by a locking structure, such as a protruding structure, if one is formed in the first inclined portion. Alternatively, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be bonded to the first inclined portion. Furthermore, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be supported by, for example, the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion of the outer cylinder 103, which will be described later.

[0038] Furthermore, the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be removable from the inner cylinder 101 and replaceable within a single mist generating device 1. The mode in which the aqueous solution holding member 102 is provided in the first inclined portion is not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0039] The outer cylinder 103 has a contact surface that contacts the inner cylinder 101 at a first position 1031 on the first end face side relative to the first inclined portion, so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 in the circumferential direction. The second structure is formed by extending from the contact surface in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101, and surrounds the aqueous solution holding member 102 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 101. The contact surface is slidable in the axial direction from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032 on the first end face side relative to the first position 1031. The inner circumferential surface of the second structure is formed as a second tapered shape having a second inclined portion, and the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction at the tip of the second tapered shape may be larger than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302.

[0040] In Figures 1 and 2, the outer cylinder 103 may be in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 at the first position 1031, surrounding it in the circumferential direction. The portion of the outer cylinder 103 in surface contact may be referred to as the contact surface. The first position 1031 may be located, for example, on the first end face side with respect to the first inclined portion on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101. Specifically, for example, when the first opening 301 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction and the second opening 302 is oriented in the gravity direction, the first position 1031 may be located above the first inclined portion. The length between the starting point of the inclination in the first inclined portion and the first position 1031 can be arbitrarily set and is not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] Furthermore, in Figures 1 and 2, the outer cylinder 103 may be a second structure that surrounds the aqueous solution holding member 102 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 101 by being formed by extending from the contact surface in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101. Specifically, for example, when the first opening 301 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, the outer cylinder 103 may be formed by extending downward from the contact surface, surrounding the aqueous solution holding member 102 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 101. In this case, the outer cylinder 103 may be formed by extending so as to cover the lower end of the aqueous solution holding member 102.

[0042] Furthermore, the outer cylinder 103 may be slidable in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101, with its contact surface moving from a first position 1031 to a second position 1032. The second position 1032 may be located above the first position 1031 when the first opening 301 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, as will be described in detail later. That is, the second position 1032 may be located on the first end face side relative to the first position 1031.

[0043] In such a case, the outer cylinder 103 may slide in the axial region from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032 if the shape of the inner circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 and the shape of the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the inner cylinder 101 are substantially the same. The substantially identical shape of the inner circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the contact surface and the shape of the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the inner cylinder 101 may include cases where they are identical to the extent that the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 is slidable from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032. That is, the shape of the inner circumference of the contact surface and the shape of the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 101 are substantially the same, and the coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the contact surface and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 101 may be set to a small value. Alternatively, the shape of the inner circumference of the contact surface may be set to be slightly larger than the shape of the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 101 to the extent that the outer cylinder 103 is slidable.

[0044] Furthermore, in such cases, the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 may slide in the axial region from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032 of the inner cylinder 101 and the outer cylinder 103, for example, by molding or adding a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism in which the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 are fitted together by a predetermined structure. Note that the specific structure of the sliding mechanism is known technology, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0045] Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103 may be formed as a second tapered shape having a second inclined portion. A tapered shape, as described above, is a shape having at least an inclined portion in which the diameter around the axis gradually decreases. That is, the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103 may have at least a second inclined portion in which the inner diameter around the axis of the outer cylinder 103 gradually decreases toward the outer cylinder opening, which is the lower end of the outer cylinder 103 when the first opening 301 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction.

[0046] The second tapered shape may have, for example, a portion from the tip of the second inclined portion to the outer cylinder opening of the outer cylinder 103 in which the inner diameter around the axis of the outer cylinder 103 is substantially the same. That is, the outer cylinder opening may be provided at the tip of the second inclined portion, or the outer cylinder opening may be provided at the tip of an extended portion formed by extending a predetermined length from the tip of the second inclined portion. Note that "substantially the same" may include, for example, a case where the amount of deviation caused by manufacturing errors, etc., is added to the true value compared to a case where they are truly the same.

[0047] By providing a second inclined portion on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103, the aqueous solution held in the aqueous solution holding member 102 can be discharged toward the second opening 302 when the aqueous solution holding portion 102 is pressed axially from the second end face side. In this case, as described above, by providing a first inclined portion on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101, the aqueous solution can be prevented from remaining on the first end face side of the aqueous solution holding member 102, which discharges the aqueous solution, by being sandwiched between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion.

[0048] This is because, when the outer surface of the inner cylinder 101 is not provided with a first inclined portion, and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 101 on which the aqueous solution holding member 102 is provided is parallel to the axial direction, when the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed in the axial direction by the second inclined portion, the less pronounced the inclination angle of the second inclined portion with respect to the axial direction, the weaker the external force applied to the aqueous solution holding member 102 perpendicular to the axis, and the more aqueous solution corresponding to that inclination angle remains.

[0049] Furthermore, the angle of the second inclined portion with respect to the axial direction may be substantially equal to the angle of the first inclined portion with respect to the axial direction, or it may be steeper than the angle of the first inclined portion with respect to the axial direction.

[0050] As described later, the aqueous solution held in the aqueous solution holding member 102 can be discharged when the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed against the second inclined portion. In this case, an external force acts on the aqueous solution holding member 102 as it is sandwiched between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion, and the manner in which the aqueous solution is discharged is affected by the relationship between the angles of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion with respect to the axial direction. For example, if the angle of the first inclined portion with respect to the axial direction is steeper than the angle of the second inclined portion with respect to the axial direction, when the second inclined portion is pressed against the first inclined portion in accordance with sliding the contact surface to the second position 1032, the aqueous solution held on the side of the aqueous solution holding member 102 that is on the first opening 301 side will remain without being discharged.

[0051] Therefore, in order to prevent aqueous solution from remaining in the aqueous solution holding member 102, the angle of the second inclined portion with respect to the axial direction may be substantially equal to the angle of the first inclined portion with respect to the axial direction. Substantially equal means, for example, that the difference caused by manufacturing errors, etc., is added to the true value when they are truly identical. Furthermore, in order to prevent aqueous solution from remaining on the first opening 301 side of the aqueous solution holding member 102 that does not face the base 20, the angle of the second inclined portion with respect to the axial direction may be at least steeper than the angle of the first inclined portion with respect to the axial direction. This has the effect that even if a small amount of aqueous solution remains in the aqueous solution holding member 102, it can be discharged towards the base 20 side by gravity.

[0052] Furthermore, the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction at the tip of the second tapered shape of the outer cylinder 103 may be larger than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302. This is because, for example, if the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction at the tip of the second tapered shape of the outer cylinder 103 is equal to or smaller than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302, even if the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed against the second inclined portion in accordance with sliding the contact surface to the second position 1032, the path for supplying the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 to the base 20 will be restricted, making it difficult to supply the aqueous solution to the mist generating unit 202 in the base 20.

[0053] Furthermore, the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103 may be substantially constant across the outer circumferential surface of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 103. Alternatively, the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103 may be such that a desired design is realized. The shape of the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103 is not limited to this disclosure. Also, the shape of the opening at the tip of the outer cylinder 103 may be circular or polygonal. The shape of the opening at the tip of the outer cylinder 103 is not limited to this disclosure.

[0054] The inner cylinder 101, aqueous solution holding member 102, and outer cylinder 103 included in the cartridge 10 have been described above. The aqueous solution storage section 201 and mist generating section 202 included in the base 20 will now be described, mainly with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0055] In Figures 1 and 2, the base 20 includes an aqueous solution storage section 201 and a mist generation section 202.

[0056] The aqueous solution storage section 201 has a third opening 303 that is larger than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302 and smaller than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape, and is molded downward relative to the third opening 303 when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, and may store the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102.

[0057] In Figures 1 and 2, the aqueous solution storage section 201 has a third opening 303. The third opening 303 functions as an opening that faces the second opening 302 in the cartridge 10 when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the base 20, as shown in Figure 3. This is because, as will be described later, the mist generated from the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution storage section 201 is released from the first opening 301 via the second opening 302. The third opening 303 also functions as a path for supplying the aqueous solution to the aqueous solution storage section 201 when the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed against the second inclined section and the aqueous solution is discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102.

[0058] Therefore, the opening of the third opening 303 may be larger than the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the second opening 302. The fact that the opening of the third opening 303 is larger than the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the second opening 302 means that a gap is secured between the opening of the third opening 303 and the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the second opening 302 through which the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 can pass.

[0059] Furthermore, the radial distance between the opening of the third opening 303 and the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the second opening 302 may be greater than, for example, the radial thickness when the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed and compressed by the second inclined portion. In this case, the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 is supplied to the aqueous solution storage section 201 without adhering to the upper surface of the base 20.

[0060] Furthermore, the third opening 303 may be substantially equal to the shape of the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape, or it may be larger than the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape and smaller than the outer circumference. This maintains the action-reaction relationship between the outer cylinder 103 and the upper surface of the base 20, while preventing the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 from adhering to the upper surface of the base 20, thereby improving the flow efficiency of the aqueous solution supplied to the aqueous solution storage section 201.

[0061] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper surface of the base 20 on which the third opening 303 is formed has the function of applying a reaction force to the action from the outer cylinder 103 when the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 is slid from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032 by pressing the outer cylinder 103 against the base 20, as will be described later. For this reason, the opening of the third opening 303 formed on the upper surface of the base 20 may be smaller than the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the tip of the second tapered shape. Note that the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the tip of the second tapered shape refers to the outer circumference of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the lowest end on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 103 when the first opening 301 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the aqueous solution storage section 201 may be formed below the third opening 303 when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, and may store the aqueous solution 400 discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102. The dimensions of the aqueous solution storage section 201, such as its depth from the third opening 303, the shape and size of its bottom, can be arbitrarily set.

[0063] In Figures 1 to 4, the mist generation unit 202 may generate mist based on the aqueous solution 400 stored in the aqueous solution storage unit 201. The mist generation unit 202 may be, for example, an ultrasonic transducer that atomizes the aqueous solution 400, or a heater that vaporizes the aqueous solution 400 by heat. The ultrasonic transducer may have a function of diffusing water particles by vertical vibration using a piezoelectric element, for example. Since the techniques for atomizing the aqueous solution 400 using an ultrasonic transducer and a heater are well known, a detailed explanation is omitted. The circuit configuration for electrically or mechanically operating the mist generation unit 202 is not shown. The circuit configuration may be, for example, at least one of the following circuit elements: a power supply, a control circuit, and a switch circuit.

[0064] Based on the above configuration, in the mist generator 1, when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, when the outer cylinder 103 is pressed against the base 20 so that the second opening 302 is included in the third opening 303, the outer cylinder 103 slides from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032, and the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed by the second inclined portion, the aqueous solution may be discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 and the mist generated in the mist generation unit 202 may be released from the first opening 301 through the second opening 302.

[0065] Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 3, when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, the lower end of the outer cylinder 103 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the base 20 so that the second opening 302 is included in the third opening 303, and as shown in Figure 4, by pressing the outer cylinder 103 against the base 20, the inner cylinder 101 and aqueous solution holding member 102 contained in the cartridge 10 are pushed downward, excluding the outer cylinder 103 which receives a reaction force from the base 20.

[0066] In this case, the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103, whose position is fixed by the reaction force, slides relatively from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032. Furthermore, the second inclined portion on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 103 may relatively press against the aqueous solution holding member 102, and the aqueous solution held in the aqueous solution holding member 102 may be supplied to the aqueous solution storage section 201 through the third opening 303. The aqueous solution 400 stored in the aqueous solution storage section 201 may be atomized in the mist generating section 202, and the atomized mist may be released from the first opening 301 through the second opening 302.

[0067] As described above, the mist generator 1 according to this embodiment is a cylindrical first structure having a first opening 301 on its first end face and a second opening 302 on its second end face, and comprises an inner cylinder 101 with a second opening 302 provided at the tip of a first tapered shape having a first inclined portion on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, an aqueous solution holding member 102 provided on at least a part of the first inclined portion and capable of holding an aqueous solution, and which discharges the aqueous solution in response to external pressure, and the inner cylinder 101 at a first position 1031 on the first end face side with respect to the first inclined portion The second structure has a contact surface that contacts the inner cylinder 101 so as to surround the outer surface of the inner cylinder 101 in the circumferential direction, and is formed by extending from the contact surface in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101 to surround the aqueous solution holding member 102 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 101, the contact surface is slidable in the axial direction from a first position 1031 to a second position 1032 on the first end face side relative to the first position 1031, the inner surface of the second structure is formed as a second tapered shape having a second inclined portion, and the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape is perpendicular to the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302 A cartridge 10 including an outer cylinder 103 larger than the outer circumference of the surface, an aqueous solution storage section 201 having a third opening 303 that is larger than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302 and smaller than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape, and formed below the third opening 303 when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, and storing aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102, and a mist generating section 202 that generates mist based on the aqueous solution 400 stored in the aqueous solution storage section 201, The system comprises a base 20 including a second opening 303, and when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, when the outer cylinder 103 is pressed against the base 20 so that the second opening 302 is included in the third opening 303, the outer cylinder 103 slides from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032, and the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed by the second inclined portion, the aqueous solution may be discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 and the mist generated in the mist generating unit 202 may be released from the first opening 301 through the second opening 302.

[0068] This makes it possible to easily generate mist by holding liquid in a cartridge with a mist outlet and attaching the cartridge to a base.

[0069] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the invention relating to the mist generating device 1 can also be considered as the invention relating to the cartridge 10.

[0070] In other words, the cartridge 10 according to this embodiment is a cylindrical first structure having a first opening 301 on its first end face and a second opening 302 on its second end face, and comprises an inner cylinder 101 with a second opening 302 provided at the tip of a first tapered shape having a first inclined portion on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, an aqueous solution holding member 102 provided on at least a part of the first inclined portion and capable of holding an aqueous solution, and from which the aqueous solution is discharged in response to external pressure, and the inner cylinder at a first position 1031 on the first end face side with respect to the first inclined portion The second structure has a contact surface that contacts the inner cylinder 101 so as to surround the outer surface of the inner cylinder 101 in the circumferential direction, and is formed by extending from the contact surface in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 101 to surround the aqueous solution holding member 102 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 101, the contact surface is slidable in the axial direction from a first position 1031 to a second position 1032 on the first end face side relative to the first position 1031, the inner surface of the second structure is formed as a second tapered shape having a second inclined portion, and the inner circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape is perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening A base comprising an outer cylinder 103 larger than the outer circumference of the straight cross-section, a third opening 303 larger than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302 and smaller than the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tip of the second tapered shape, an aqueous solution storage section 201 formed below the third opening 303 when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, for storing aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102, and a mist generating section 202 that generates mist based on the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution storage section 201. The 20 is detachable from the 20, and when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, the outer cylinder 103 is pressed against the base 20 so that the second opening 302 is included in the third opening 303, causing the outer cylinder 103 to slide from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032. In response, the aqueous solution holding member 102 is pressed by the second inclined portion, and the aqueous solution is discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102, and the mist generated in the mist generating unit 202 is released from the first opening through the second opening 302.

[0071] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. The following describes some of these modifications.

[0072] (Variation 1) Although the above description does not mention the length of the extension at the tip of the second tapered shape, for example, when the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 at the first position 1031, the second opening 302 may be formed to protrude by a predetermined length in the axial direction relative to the tip of the second tapered shape. This makes it easier to align the second opening 302 with the third opening 303 when mounting the cartridge 10 on the base 20 in Figure 3.

[0073] Furthermore, the aqueous solution storage section 201 further includes a fourth opening 304 having an upper surface above a position a predetermined length vertically downward from the third opening 303 when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, a lower surface above the bottom surface of the aqueous solution storage section 201, and an opening having a shape substantially equal to the outer circumference of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the second opening 302, and one or more slit portions 501 formed on the outer circumference of the fourth opening in the structure 500 for forming the fourth opening 304, wherein the shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is continuously substantially the same from the tip of the first inclined portion in the inner cylinder 101 to the second opening 302, and the length from the tip of the first inclined portion to the second opening 302 may be longer than the length between the first position 1031 and the second position 1032.

[0074] Figure 5 shows an example of a cross-sectional view and a top view of the base of a mist generator according to Modification 1. Figure 5(a) shows a cross-sectional view of the mist generator 1 according to Modification 1. Figure 5(b) shows a top view of the base 20 in the mist generator according to Modification 1. Figure 6 shows an example of the transition from a state in which the cartridge is in contact with the base to a state in which the cartridge is pressed against the base. The configuration of the mist generator 1 according to Modification 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0075] In Figure 5, the aqueous solution storage section 201 may further have a fourth opening 304 below the third opening 303 when the third opening 303 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction. The fourth opening 304 may have a shape substantially identical to the outer circumference of the second opening 302 of the inner cylinder 101. This makes it easier to align the second opening 302 with respect to the base 20 when mounting the cartridge 10 onto the base 20. Note that "substantially identical" may include, for example, a case where a deviation due to manufacturing errors, etc., is added to the true value compared to a case where they are truly identical.

[0076] In this case, the upper surface of the fourth opening 304 may be located above the position that is vertically downward by a predetermined length from the third opening 303. This is because, as shown in Figure 6(a), the upper surface of the fourth opening 304 is located above the position that is axially downward by a predetermined length from the third opening 303, when the contact surface is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 at the first position 1031, thereby facilitating the alignment of the second opening 302 with respect to the base 20. The lower surface of the fourth opening 304 only needs to be located above the bottom surface of the aqueous solution storage section 201.

[0077] Furthermore, in Figures 5 and 6, in the structure 500 for forming the fourth opening 304, one or more slit portions 501 may be formed on the outer circumference of the fourth opening 304. The slit portion 501 may include one or more slits. The slit portion 501 may be formed independently of the fourth opening 304, along a circumference that is substantially the same radius as the axis of the fourth opening 304.

[0078] As shown in Figure 6(b), the slit portion 501 may be a path for supplying the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102, which is pressed by the second inclined portion, to the bottom surface of the aqueous solution storage portion 201. The shape and number of slits in the slit portion 501 can be arbitrarily set and do not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0079] Furthermore, in such a case, the shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the inner cylinder 101 is continuously substantially the same from the tip of the first inclined portion to the second opening 302, and the length from the tip of the first inclined portion to the second opening 302 may be longer than the length between the first position 1031 and the second position 1032.

[0080] Specifically, for example, in Figure 5, the inner cylinder 101 has an extended portion 502 in which the shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section is continuously substantially the same from the tip of the first inclined portion to the second opening 302, and the length of the extended portion 502 may be longer than the length between the first position 1031 and the second position 1032. This prevents the tip of the first inclined portion from coming into contact with the upper surface of the fourth opening 304 before the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 has finished sliding from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032.

[0081] As described above, according to this modified example 1, by providing the fourth opening 304 and the slit portion 501, when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the base 20, the alignment of the second opening 302 with respect to the base 20 can be made easier, and a path can be secured for the aqueous solution discharged from the aqueous solution holding member 102 to be supplied to the aqueous solution storage portion 201.

[0082] Furthermore, the contents of this Modification 1 may be applied not only to the contents of the embodiment but also to the contents of each of the other modifications.

[0083] (Modification 2) In the above description, it was explained that the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 is slidable from the first position 1031 to the second position 1032. Furthermore, at the first position 1031, a first locking structure may be provided on at least one of the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 and the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103.

[0084] Figure 7 shows an example of the transition from a state in which the cartridge according to Modification 2 is in contact with the base to a state in which the cartridge is pressed against the base.

[0085] In Figure 7, for example, the inner cylinder 101 may have a convex locking structure 701 on its outer circumferential surface at a first position 1031, and the outer cylinder 103 may have a concave locking structure on its contact surface. In this case, the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 may transition from a state in which it is fixed by the locking structure 701 at the first position 1031 to a state in which it is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 at a second position 1032 by sliding the contact surface.

[0086] As a result, before sliding, the outer cylinder 103 is fixed by the locking structure 701, which prevents the aqueous solution holding member 102 from being unintentionally pressed against the second inclined portion and leaking the aqueous solution before the cartridge 10 and base 20 are attached.

[0087] Furthermore, at the second position 1032, a second locking structure may be provided on at least one of the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 101 and the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103.

[0088] In Figure 7, for example, the inner cylinder 101 may have a convex locking structure 702 at a second position 1032 on its outer circumferential surface, and the outer cylinder 103 may have a concave locking structure at its contact surface. In this case, the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 may transition from a state in which it is in contact with the inner cylinder 101 at a first position 1031 to a state in which it is fixed by the locking structure 702 at a second position 1032 by sliding the contact surface.

[0089] As a result, after sliding, the outer cylinder 103 is fixed by the locking structure 702, which prevents the cartridge 10 from being pressed too hard against the base 20, thereby preventing the first and second inclined sections from being pressed too hard and thus preventing damage to the mist generator 1.

[0090] In the above description, a locking structure was described as having an uneven or protruding shape, but this is not limited to this, and the specific details of the locking structure are not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0091] Note that the second locking structure in Figure 7 may be a concave-shaped locking structure 800 as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing another example of the transition from the state in which the cartridge according to Modification 2 is in contact with the base to the state in which the cartridge is pressed against the base.

[0092] In Figure 8, the second locking structure 800 at the second position 1032 may be, for example, a structure in which the outer surface of the inner cylinder 101 is concave-shaped and the contact surface of the outer cylinder 103 is fitted into the concave shape and locked. In this way, the outer cylinder 103 is locked as a whole by being fitted into the concave-shaped portion, which has the effect of clearly distinguishing between used cartridges 10 and unused cartridges 10.

[0093] As shown in Figure 7, at least one of the cartridge 10 and the base 20 may be provided with alignment means for fixing the second tapered tip and the structure forming the third opening 303 in the base 20 in a predetermined positional relationship. This makes it even easier to align the second opening 302 with respect to the base 20 when mounting the cartridge 10 onto the base 20.

[0094] The alignment means may, for example, be a locking structure with a concave or concave shape provided on at least one of the cartridge 10 and the base 20. Alternatively, the alignment means may be a magnetic alignment means provided on the cartridge 10 and the base 20. The specific details of the alignment means are not limited to these and do not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0095] The above describes Modification 2. Note that the contents of Modification 2 may be applied not only to the embodiments but also to the contents of other modifications.

[0096] (Variation 3) In the above-described embodiment 1 and its various modifications, the liquid-holding member 102 was described as being housed by the tapered shape of the inner cylinder 101 and the outer cylinder 103. However, for example, the liquid-holding member 102 may be housed by a structure other than the inner cylinder 101 and the outer cylinder 103.

[0097] Figure 9 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the mist generator 1c according to Modification 3. Figure 10 shows an example of a simplified diagram of the cartridge according to Modification 3. The configuration and operation of the mist generator 1c according to Modification 3 will be described below with reference to Figures 9 and 10, etc. Note that redundant explanations of matters described above in Embodiment 1 and each modification will be omitted.

[0098] The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 9 is an axial cross-sectional view along the dashed-dotted line Lc in Figure 10. Similarly, Figures 12 and 13, which will be described later, are also axial cross-sectional views along the dashed-dotted line Lc. For the sake of explanation, Figure 10 shows the housing portion 90, liquid holding member 102c, and pressing portion 91 included in the cartridge 10c in a disassembled state. In Figure 10, the housing portion 90 has a locking mechanism 903, which will be described later, but the presence or absence of the locking mechanism 903 in the housing portion 90 does not limit the scope of this disclosure. In Figures 9 and 14, the control unit and power supply that drive and control the mist generation unit 202c are not shown.

[0099] As shown in Figure 9, the mist generator 1c comprises a cartridge 10c and a base 20c. The cartridge 10c may also include a housing 90, a liquid holding member 102c, and a pressing part 91.

[0100] The housing portion 90 includes a first structure 901 and a second structure 902. The first structure 901 may be a cylindrical structure having a first opening 301c on its first end face and a second opening 302c on its second end face. The first structure 901 may be, for example, a cylindrical structure in which the first end face and the second end face face each other.

[0101] The shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the inner surface of the first structure 901 may be determined by the description of the shape of the inner surface of the inner cylinder 101 described above.

[0102] The shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the outer surface of the first structure 901 may be substantially the same as the outer surface of the first opening 301c and the second opening 302c at any position in the axial direction. Furthermore, the shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the outer surface may not be constant in the axial direction. For example, any design may be applied to areas other than the void region described later. The shape of the outer surface of the first structure 901 may correspond to the fact that the pressing portion 91 can slide from the first position to the second position, as described later. Specifically, for example, the shape of the outer surface of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the first structure 901 may be substantially constant in the region corresponding to the transition from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, a sliding mechanism may be molded or added in the region corresponding to the transition from the first position to the second position.

[0103] The material of the structure formed as the housing portion 90, including the first structure 901 and the second structure 902, may be the same as that of the inner cylinder 101, for example. The housing portion 90 may be formed as a single structure, or the first structure 901 and the second structure 902 may be formed separately and then combined. This description may also apply to each element included in the pressing portion 91 and the base 20c, which will be described later. The material of the structure included in the mist generator 1c and the number of parts are not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0104] The second structure 902 may be a structure that is joined to the first structure 901 at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and is formed by extending axially from the contact surface toward the second end surface so as to provide a gap region between it and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and has a fifth opening 305 at the extended tip.

[0105] The second structure 902 is a structure that provides a gap region between itself and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901. The gap region may be a region that houses the liquid holding member 102c and the pressing part 91, which will be described later. The shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the gap region may be substantially constant with respect to the axial direction, for example. Specifically, the shape may be donut-shaped when viewed from above or below with the first opening 301 oriented in the anti-gravity direction. Furthermore, the shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the gap region may not be constant, as long as the pressing part 91, which will be described later, can slide from the first position to the second position.

[0106] The shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the second structure 902 may be substantially constant with respect to the axial direction, or it may not be constant. For example, a predetermined structural design may be applied to the outer circumference of the second structure 902, or a locking mechanism 903, which will be described later, may be formed therein.

[0107] Figure 11 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the housing portion 90 according to the third modification. The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction along the dashed line Ld in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 11, the axially perpendicular cross-section of the housing portion 90 does not have to be constant with respect to the axial direction. The outer circumferential surface of the portion corresponding to the second structure 902 may be non-uniform in the axial direction, as shown in Figure 11, for example, by providing a locking mechanism 903, which will be described later.

[0108] As shown in Figure 11, the distances R1 and R2 by which the second structure 902 protrudes from the outer surface of the first structure 901, as well as the heights H1 and H2 of the outer surface of the second structure 902, may be set arbitrarily. On the other hand, the distance R3 of the axially perpendicular cross-section in the void region may be designed arbitrarily, but the size of the distance R3 affects the size of the liquid holding member 102c housed in the void region, and consequently affects the amount of liquid held in the liquid holding member 102c and the amount of mist generated. Therefore, the distance R3 may be set considering the performance of the mist generator 1c, etc.

[0109] Note that the position of the contact surface in the axial direction of the first structure 901 shown in Figure 9 is an example and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Also, although the second opening 302c and the fifth opening 305 are shown in Figures 9 and 11 as being located on the same plane in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction, this is not an exception.

[0110] For example, when the first opening 301c is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, the scope of this disclosure is not limited by whether the second opening 302c or the fifth opening 305 is located downward in the axial direction. In such a case, for example, when the second opening 302c is located downward in the axial direction, the surface of the bottom surface of the mounting part described later that contacts the second opening 302c may be provided below the surface that contacts the fifth opening 305. As a result, the mist generator 1c may be configured such that both the second opening 302c and the fifth opening 305 contact the bottom surface of the mounting part described later. When the second opening 302c is located above the fifth opening 305 in the axial direction, the mist generator 1c may be configured in a similar manner.

[0111] The liquid-holding member 102c is housed in the void region and is capable of holding liquid, and the liquid may be discharged by external pressure. The description of the type, properties, and material of the liquid-holding member 102c is omitted as it overlaps with the description in Embodiment 1. The liquid-holding member 102c may be a donut-shaped member that covers the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, for example, as shown in Figure 9.

[0112] In Figure 9, the liquid-holding member 102c is described as a donut-shaped member, but this is not the only way to describe it. For example, the liquid-holding member 102c may be one or more foam members of a predetermined shape, such as a block or a sphere, and the foam members may be housed in the void region while containing a predetermined amount of liquid. The shape, size, number, and liquid content of the liquid-holding member 102c can be arbitrarily set according to the desired amount of mist described later, and are not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0113] The pressing portion 91 is, for example, a third structure housed in the void region on the side of the fifth opening 305 rather than the liquid holding member 102c, covering the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and slidable in the axial direction. When it is slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses against the liquid holding member 102c, the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102c may be discharged from outside the second opening 302c and inside the fifth opening 305.

[0114] As shown in Figure 9, the pressing portion 91 may be housed below the liquid holding member 102c in the void region when the first opening 301c is oriented in the anti-gravity direction. The pressing portion 91 may be provided in the void region so as to cover the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901. In this case, the pressing portion 91 may be composed of one member or of multiple members. For example, multiple members on an arc having a predetermined thickness may be housed in the void region so as to cover the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901. The pressing portion 901 only needs to be provided so as to cover the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and its shape and number are not limited to the scope of this disclosure.

[0115] The pressing portion 91 may be slidable in the axial direction. For example, at the first position, the pressing portion 91 may be in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, surrounding it in the circumferential direction. The area in surface contact may be referred to as the contact surface. The first position may be, for example, the position of the pressing portion 91 in the gap region before the cartridge 10c is mounted on the base 20c. The pressing portion 91 may then be slidable from the first position to the second position when the cartridge 10c is mounted on the base 20c, as will be described later. The second position may be located above the first position when the first opening 301c is oriented in the anti-gravity direction.

[0116] In such a case, the pressing portion 91 may slide in the axial region from the first position to the second position if the shape of the inner circumference of the pressing portion 91 and the shape of the outer circumference of the first structure 901 are substantially the same in the axial perpendicular cross-section in the region from the first position to the second position. The substantially identical shape of the inner circumference of the pressing portion 91 and the shape of the outer circumference of the first structure 901 in that region means that they may be identical to such an extent that the effect of enabling the pressing portion 91 to slide from the first position to the second position is achieved. That is, the shape of the inner circumference of the pressing portion 91 and the shape of the outer circumference of the first structure 901 may be substantially the same, and the coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the pressing portion 91 and the outer surface of the first structure 901 may be set to a small value. Alternatively, the shape of the inner circumference of the pressing portion 91 may be set to be slightly larger than the shape of the outer circumference of the first structure 901 to such an extent that the pressing portion 91 can slide.

[0117] Furthermore, the sliding mechanism of the outer cylinder 103, as detailed in Embodiment 1, may also be applied to the pressing portion 91. That is, the pressing portion 91 may be slidable in the axial region by forming or adding a sliding mechanism between the pressing portion 91 and the first structure 901. A detailed explanation of the sliding mechanism is omitted as it overlaps with Embodiment 1.

[0118] In such a case, when the pressing portion 91 is slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses against the liquid holding member 102c, the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102c may be discharged from the outside of the second opening 302c and from the inside of the fifth opening 305. That is, the pressing portion 91 may have the function of passing the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102c to the side of the fifth opening 305.

[0119] Furthermore, the pressing portion 91 is donut-shaped, as shown in Figure 10, for example, and has at least one through-hole that penetrates from one upper surface to the other. When the pressing portion 91 is slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses against the liquid holding member 102c, the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102c may be discharged from the inside of the fifth opening 305 through the through-hole.

[0120] In Figure 10, the through-hole is shown as being circular, but this is not the case. The shape of the axially perpendicular cross-section of the through-hole may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, slit-shaped, or a combination thereof. Specifically, for example, the pressing portion 91 may have a structure in which a part of the slit shape is formed on the inner or outer rim, and liquid may pass through the removed portion.

[0121] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the pressing portion 91 may have a concave slit on its outer circumferential surface. That is, when the pressing portion 91 is slidable in the axial direction from a first position to a second position on the liquid holding member 102c side relative to the first position, a convex shape may be provided on one of the outer circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91 and the inner circumferential surface of the second structure 902, and two concave shapes may be provided in the other axial direction. When the pressing portion 91 is held in the first position, one of the two concave shapes is fitted with the convex shape, and when the pressing portion 91 is held in the second position, the other of the two concave shapes is fitted with the convex shape.

[0122] Figure 12 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the pressing portion 91 before sliding. Figure 13 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the pressing portion 91 after sliding. As shown in Figure 12, for example, two concave molds may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91, and a convex mold 1201 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second structural portion 902. The concave molds and convex molds may be provided around the outer circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91 and the inner circumferential surface of the second structural portion 902, or one or more may be provided at positions that can interlock with each other. That is, it is sufficient that concave molds and convex molds are provided in a predetermined cross-section, and concave molds and convex molds may not be provided in any cross-section.

[0123] In such a case, as shown in Figure 12, one of the concave molds in the pressing portion 91 located at the first position may engage with the convex mold 1201. Furthermore, as will be described later, when the pressing portion 91 is pressed by the projection and slides to the second position, as shown in Figure 13, the other of the two concave molds may engage with the convex mold 1201.

[0124] In the explanation of Figures 12 and 13, it was described that two concave molds are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91 and a convex mold 1201 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second structure 902. However, it is also possible that the convex mold 1201 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91 and two concave molds are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second structure 902.

[0125] Furthermore, although the above description described a case in which the convex and concave moldings can be fitted together between the pressing portion 91 and the second structure 902, the convex and concave moldings may also be fitted together between the inner circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91 and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901.

[0126] In other words, when the pressing portion 91 is slidable in the axial direction from a first position to a second position on the liquid holding member 102c side relative to the first position, a convex mold is provided on one of the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901 and the inner circumferential surface of the pressing portion 91, and two concave molds are provided in the other axial direction, and when the pressing portion 91 is held in the first position, one of the two concave molds is mated with the convex mold, and when the pressing portion 91 is held in the second position, the other of the two concave molds is mated with the convex mold.

[0127] In this way, by making the pressing part 91 capable of engaging with the first structure 901 or the second structure 902, the position of the pressing part 91 can be maintained before and after sliding. Furthermore, for example, when a cartridge 10c is used for mist generation as described later, when the pressing part 91 slides, locking the pressing part 91 in the second position prevents unsanitary reuse by the user.

[0128] For example, if the liquid contained in the liquid-holding member 102c is refillable by the user, and pure water is filled into the liquid-holding member 102c, there is a possibility that bacteria or other contaminants may be present in the generated mist. Also, if a high concentration of aroma oil is filled into the liquid-holding member 102c, it could lead to a malfunction of the mist generator 1c. Therefore, by employing a mechanism that locks the pressing part 91 in the second position, the user can be protected.

[0129] Next, the base 20c will be described with reference to Figure 9 and other figures. As shown in Figure 9, the base 20c may include a mounting portion 200, a projection portion 203, a liquid storage portion 201c, and a mist generating portion 202c.

[0130] The mounting portion 200 has a sixth opening 306, and the cartridge 10c may be mounted inside the sixth opening 306 when the fifth opening 305 and the sixth opening 306 are facing each other. As shown in Figure 9, the mounting portion 200 has a sixth opening 306, and the inner circumference of the sixth opening 306 may be wider than the outer circumference of the second structure 902 so that the cartridge 10c can be mounted. In Figure 9, the inner surface of the mounting portion 200 is shown as having a uniform shape in the axial direction, but this is not limited to the case. For example, the inner surface of the mounting portion 200 may be given a predetermined design, or it may be a structure that performs a predetermined function.

[0131] The predetermined structure may be, for example, a locking mechanism 903 for locking the mounted cartridge 10c. That is, if the mounting portion 200 further has a groove on its inner circumferential surface, the second structure 902 may further have a locking mechanism 903 that uses the groove to hold the cartridge 10c when the cartridge 10c is mounted.

[0132] The locking mechanism 903 is particularly useful when, for example, a mechanism is provided in which a predetermined switch is pressed when the cartridge 10c is installed in the mounting section 200, and the power to the mist generating section 202c, described later, is turned on when the predetermined switch is pressed. For example, if a structure is adopted in which the power is turned on when the switch is pressed by the installation of the cartridge 10c in the mounting section 200, a mechanism may be adopted in which the power to the mist generating section 202 is not turned on when the cartridge 10c is not installed, using a spring or the like. In such a case, by providing the locking mechanism 903, when the cartridge 10c is installed in the mounting section 200, it is possible to prevent the cartridge 10c from being pushed back in the anti-gravity direction by the spring.

[0133] Furthermore, the cartridge 10c and the mounting portion 200 only need to be detachable from each other. In this disclosure, the cartridge 10c is described as being mountable to the mounting portion 200, but it may also be described as being able to be fitted together, for example. In such a case, the mounting portion 200 may be referred to as the fitting portion 200.

[0134] The projection 203 is provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 200 when the sixth opening 306 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, and may slide the pressing portion 91 when the cartridge 10c is mounted. The axial height of the projection 203 corresponds to the distance at which the liquid holding member 102c is pressed, and may be set arbitrarily according to the desired amount of mist generated, as described later.

[0135] The projection 203 may also apply a reaction force to the action from the pressing portion 91 when the pressing portion 91 is pressed against the projection 203 and slid from the pressing portion 91 from the first position to the second position.

[0136] In Figure 9, the projection 203 is shown to contact a part of the pressing portion 91 when the cartridge 10c is mounted on the mounting portion 200, but this is not limited to the projection. The projection 203 may be provided, for example, as a single donut-shaped structure on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 200, or as one or more predetermined shaped structures. The predetermined shape may be, for example, a cube, a cone, a cylinder, a dome, etc., and the shape of the projection 203 is not limited to the scope of this disclosure. If the projection 203 is a single donut shape and the size of that shape is substantially the same as that of the pressing portion 91, the projection 203 may be provided with a through hole, similar to the pressing portion 91, and the liquid may reach the bottom surface of the mounting portion 200 through the through hole.

[0137] Furthermore, when the projection 203 presses against the pressing portion 91, as described above, the pressing portion 91 presses against the liquid holding member 102c, and the discharged liquid may reach the bottom surface where the projection 203 is provided via the fifth opening 305.

[0138] The liquid storage section 201c may be formed below the bottom surface and connected to the bottom surface, and may be capable of storing liquid discharged from the fifth opening 305. The liquid storage section 201c may be connected to the bottom surface by a channel (not shown), and may receive liquid that reaches the bottom surface through the channel. Alternatively, the liquid storage section 201c may receive liquid that reaches the bottom surface through a seventh opening 307, which will be described later.

[0139] In other words, the specific details of the path by which the liquid reaching the bottom surface reaches the liquid storage section 201c are not limited to the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the description of the aqueous solution storage section 201 in Embodiment 1 and other modifications may be applied to the liquid storage section 201c in Modification 3.

[0140] The liquid storage section 201c is formed downward relative to the seventh opening 307 (described later) and the bottom surface when the sixth opening 306 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, and may store the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102c. The dimensions of the liquid storage section 201c, such as its shape, depth, and size, can be arbitrarily set.

[0141] Furthermore, the liquid storage section 201c may include a component similar to the liquid holding member 102c. That is, the liquid storage section 201c may include, for example, a foaming member, and the liquid may be stored by allowing the foaming member to absorb the liquid. In this way, by holding the liquid using a foaming member, the mist generation efficiency can be increased, especially when an ultrasonic transducer is used in the mist generation section 202 described later.

[0142] The mist generating unit 202c is connected to a seventh opening 307 provided on the bottom surface opposite the second opening 302c when the cartridge 10c is installed, and may generate mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 201c.

[0143] Specifically, for example, the mist generating unit 202c may be located below the seventh opening 307 when the seventh opening 307 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction. The mist generating unit 202c may generate mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 201c. The mist generating unit 202c may be, for example, an ultrasonic transducer that atomizes the liquid, or a heater that vaporizes the liquid by heat. The ultrasonic transducer may have a function of diffusing water particles by vertical vibration using a piezoelectric element, for example. Since the techniques for atomizing liquid using ultrasonic transducers and heaters are well known, a detailed explanation is omitted. The circuit configuration for electrically or mechanically operating the mist generating unit 202c is not shown in the figures. The circuit configuration may be, for example, at least one of the following circuit elements: a power supply, a control circuit, and a switch circuit.

[0144] Based on the above configuration, in the mist generator 1c, when the cartridge 10c is mounted on the base 20c, the generated mist may be discharged from the first opening 301 through the seventh opening 307 and the second opening 302.

[0145] Figure 14 shows an example of how the cartridge 10c according to Modification 3 is mounted on the base 20c. As shown in Figure 14, when the cartridge 10c is mounted on the base 20c with the first opening 301c facing the anti-gravity direction, the projection 203 pushes the pressing portion 91 upward in the anti-gravity direction, causing the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102c to reach the bottom surface of the mounting portion 200 via the fifth opening 305. The liquid that reaches the liquid storage portion 201c from the bottom surface, for example via the waterway, is atomized by the mist generating portion 202, and the generated mist may be released from the first opening 301 through the second opening 302.

[0146] As described above, the mist generating device 1 according to this modified example 3 comprises a cylindrical first structure 901 having a first opening 301 on its first end face and a second opening 302 on its second end face, and a second structure 90 which is joined to the first structure 901 at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and is formed by extending axially from the contact surface toward the second end face so as to provide a gap region between it and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and has a fifth opening 305 at the extended tip. The housing portion 90 includes 2, a liquid holding member 102 housed in the void region and capable of holding liquid, from which liquid is discharged by external pressure, and a third structure housed in the void region on the side of the fifth opening 305 than the liquid holding member 102, covering the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901 and slidable in the axial direction, and when slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses the liquid holding member 102, the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member 102 is discharged to the outside of the second opening 302 and the fifth opening 305 A cartridge 10 including a pressing part 91 that discharges from the inside, a mounting part 200 having a sixth opening 306 into which the cartridge 10 can be mounted inside the sixth opening 306 when the fifth opening 305 and the sixth opening 306 are facing each other, a projection 203 provided on the bottom surface of the mounting part 200 when the sixth opening 306 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, which slides the pressing part 91 when the cartridge 10 is mounted, and a part molded below the bottom surface that connects to the bottom surface, the fifth opening The device includes a base 20 which includes a liquid storage section 201 capable of storing liquid discharged from the mouth 305, and a mist generating section 202 connected to a seventh opening 307 provided on the bottom surface facing the second opening when the cartridge 10 is mounted, and which generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 201. When the cartridge 10 is mounted on the base 20, the generated mist may be released from the first opening 301 via the seventh opening 307 and the second opening 302.

[0147] This makes it possible to easily generate mist by holding liquid in a cartridge with a mist outlet and attaching the cartridge to a base.

[0148] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the invention relating to the mist generating device 1 can also be considered as the invention relating to the cartridge 10.

[0149] In other words, the cartridge 10 according to this modified example 3 comprises a cylindrical first structure 901 having a first opening 301 on its first end face and a second opening 302 on its second end face, and a second structure 902 that is joined to the first structure 901 at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure 901, and is formed by extending axially from the contact surface toward the second end face so as to provide a gap region between it and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and has a fifth opening 305 at the extended tip. The first structure includes a housing 90 containing a liquid-holding member 102 housed in the void region and capable of holding liquid, from which liquid is discharged by external pressure; a third structure housed in the void region on the side of the fifth opening 305 that is closer to the liquid-holding member 102 than the liquid-holding member 102, covering the outer surface of the first structure and slidable in the axial direction, and a pressing part 91 which, when slid in the anti-gravity direction and pressing the liquid-holding member 102, discharges the liquid discharged from the liquid-holding member 102 from the outside of the second opening 302 and the inside of the fifth opening 305; a mounting part 200 having a sixth opening 306 into which the cartridge 10 can be mounted inside the sixth opening 306 when the fifth opening 305 and the sixth opening 306 are facing each other; a projection 203 provided on the bottom surface of the mounting part when the sixth opening 306 is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, which slides the pressing part 91 when the cartridge 10 is mounted; and a part molded below the bottom surface and connected to the bottom surface, which discharges from the fifth opening 305. The base 20 is detachable from the cartridge 10, and includes a liquid storage section 201 capable of storing the stored liquid, and a mist generating section 202 connected to a seventh opening 307 provided on the bottom surface opposite the second opening 302 when the cartridge 10 is installed, which generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 201. When the cartridge 10 is installed on the base 20, the generated mist may be released from the first opening 301 through the seventh opening 307 and the second opening 302.

[0150] Furthermore, the contents of this Modification 3 may be applied not only to the contents of the embodiment but also to the contents of the other modifications.

[0151] Note that the above explanation omits descriptions of publicly known technologies related to each function.

[0152] In the above explanation, "at least one of A, B, and C is included" may also mean "one or two or more of A, B, and C are included." [Industrial applicability]

[0153] The mist generator and cartridge according to the present invention are effective for all technologies related to mist generation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1. Mist Generator 10 cartridges 20 bases 90 Housing section 101 Inner cylinder 102 Aqueous solution holding member 103 Outer cylinder 200 Mounting part 201 Aqueous solution storage section 202 Mist generation unit 203 Protrusion 301 First opening 302 Second opening 303 Third opening 304 Fourth opening 305 Fifth opening 306 Sixth opening 307 Seventh opening 501 Slit section 502 Stretching section 701 First locking structure 702 Second locking structure 703 Alignment means 800 Concave locking structure 901 1st structure 902 Second structure 1201 Convex molding

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising: a cylindrical first structure having a first opening on its first end face and a second opening on its second end face; a housing portion including a second structure which is joined to the first structure at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and is formed by extending in the axial direction from the contact surface toward the second end face so as to provide a gap region between itself and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and which has a fifth opening at the extended tip; a liquid holding member housed in the gap region and capable of holding liquid, from which the liquid is discharged by external pressure; a third structure housed in the gap region on the side of the fifth opening than the liquid holding member, covering the outer circumferential surface of the first structure and slidable in the axial direction, and which, when slid in the anti-gravity direction and presses the liquid holding member, discharges the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member from the outside of the second opening and the inside of the fifth opening; A base comprising: a mounting portion having a sixth opening, which allows the cartridge to be mounted inside the sixth opening when the fifth opening and the sixth opening are facing each other; a projection provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion when the sixth opening is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, which slides the pressing portion when the cartridge is mounted; a liquid storage portion molded below the bottom surface and connected to the bottom surface, which is capable of storing the liquid discharged from the fifth opening; and a mist generating portion connected to a seventh opening provided on the bottom surface facing the second opening when the cartridge is mounted, which generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion; The cartridge is mounted on the base, and when the cartridge is mounted on the base, the generated mist is released from the first opening through the seventh opening and the second opening. Mist generator.

2. A housing portion comprising a cylindrical first structure having a first opening on its first end face and a second opening on its second end face, and a second structure which is joined to the first structure at a contact surface that surrounds a predetermined axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and is formed by extending in the axial direction from the contact surface toward the second end face so as to provide a gap region between it and the outer circumferential surface of the first structure, and which has a fifth opening at the extended tip, A liquid-holding member housed in the aforementioned void region, capable of holding liquid, and from which the liquid is discharged by external pressure, A third structure housed in the aforementioned void region on the side of the fifth opening rather than the liquid holding member, covering the outer circumferential surface of the first structure and slidable in the axial direction, comprising a pressing portion that, when slid in the anti-gravity direction and pressing against the liquid holding member, discharges the liquid discharged from the liquid holding member from the outside of the second opening and the inside of the fifth opening, Equipped with, A base comprising a mounting portion having a sixth opening, a projection provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion when the sixth opening is oriented in the anti-gravity direction, a liquid storage portion molded and connected to the bottom surface below the bottom surface, and a mist generating portion connected to a seventh opening provided on the bottom surface, can be mounted inside the sixth opening when the fifth opening and the sixth opening are facing each other. When mounted on the base, the projection slides the pressing portion, the liquid storage portion stores the liquid discharged from the fifth opening, the mist generating portion generates mist based on the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion, and the generated mist is released from the first opening via the seventh and second openings. cartridge.

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