Fluid Control Device

Abstract

This fluid control device includes two piezoelectric pumps, namely, a u-piezoelectric pump (12) and a d-piezoelectric pump (14). The two piezoelectric pumps are connected by a connection tube (13A). The inner surface of the connection tube (13A) includes, as a tube (1302), a tube (1304), and a tube (1306), for example, surfaces that intersect a direction connecting from an outlet (12u) of the u-piezoelectric pump (12) to an inlet (14i) of the d-piezoelectric pump (14). This direction is indicated by the arrow (A1).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid control device, and more particularly to a fluid control device including a plurality of piezoelectric pumps. [Background technology]

[0002] A fluid control device including a piezoelectric pump and a control circuit has been developed. International Publication No. 2019 / 202831 (Patent Document 1) describes a fluid control device in which multiple piezoelectric pumps are connected in series to improve performance, such as pressure, for use. More specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to electrical settings for multiple piezoelectric pumps in a fluid control device in which multiple piezoelectric pumps are connected in series, in order to avoid device failure due to heat generation from the multiple piezoelectric pumps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 202831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Currently, there is a demand for further advances in technology to prevent equipment failure due to heat generation.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for avoiding failure of a fluid control device due to heat generation in which multiple piezoelectric pumps are connected in series. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A fluid control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first piezoelectric pump, a second piezoelectric pump, and a pipe connecting a fluid outlet of the first piezoelectric pump and a fluid inlet of the second piezoelectric pump, the inner surface of the pipe including a surface intersecting a direction connecting the outlet and the inlet. and a cooling unit for cooling the outer surface of the tube. .

[0007] A fluid control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first piezoelectric pump, a second piezoelectric pump, a tube connecting a fluid outlet of the first piezoelectric pump and a fluid inlet of the second piezoelectric pump, and a cooling unit that cools an outer surface of the tube. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the inner surface of the tube includes a surface that intersects in the direction connecting the outlet and the inlet, so that the tube comes into contact with the fluid sent from the first piezoelectric pump to the second piezoelectric pump over a larger area. Also, according to the present disclosure, the outer surface of the tube is cooled by the element covered by the member, so that more heat is transferred from the fluid sent from the first piezoelectric pump to the second piezoelectric pump to the tube. This makes it difficult for heat generated in the first piezoelectric pump to be transferred to the second piezoelectric pump, and prevents the fluid control device from breaking down due to heat generation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a nebulizer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a pump unit 10. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing a first specific example of the structure of a connecting pipe 13. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing a third specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a fourth specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a fifth specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. FIG. [Figure 8]4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for cooling a connecting pipe 13. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration for cooling the connecting pipe 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a fluid control device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0011] (Embodiment) In the following embodiment, an example will be described in which a pump unit (fluid control device) in which two piezoelectric pumps are connected in series is used in a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a device that allows patients suffering from asthma or the like to orally inhale medicinal liquid, and atomizes the medicinal liquid with a strong air flow generated by the pump unit. Devices in which the pump unit is used are not limited to nebulizers. The pump unit may be used in, for example, an aroma diffuser, a humidifier, or other discharge-type device, or in a suction-type device, such as a nasal aspirator.

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a nebulizer 1 according to an embodiment. Nebulizer 1 includes a pump unit 10, an air nozzle 20, an atomizing nozzle 30, a liquid medicine tank 40, and a mouthpiece 50. A patient P holds the tip of mouthpiece 50 in his or her mouth and inhales the atomized liquid medicine discharged from the tip.

[0013] The pump unit 10 is configured by connecting two piezoelectric pumps (u piezoelectric pump 12 and d piezoelectric pump 14, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2) in series to improve the performance (e.g., pressure). The piezoelectric pump produces compressed air. By using a piezoelectric pump, the pump unit 10 can reduce the size and weight compared to a pump that uses a motor. Although not shown, the piezoelectric pump has a piezoelectric element and a pump chamber in a housing, and conveys fluid by varying the volume and pressure of the pump chamber by displacing the piezoelectric element when driven. The detailed configuration of the pump unit 10 will be described later.

[0014] The air nozzle 20 sends out the compressed air produced by the pump unit 10 toward the atomizing nozzle 30. At the tip of the atomizing nozzle 30, negative pressure is generated by the strong air flow produced by the air nozzle 20, and the medicinal liquid is sucked up from the medicinal liquid tank 40 through the piping 42. The medicinal liquid sucked up to the tip of the atomizing nozzle 30 is atomized by the air flow from the air nozzle 20 and sent to the oral cavity of the patient P through the mouthpiece 50.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic example of the configuration of the pump unit 10. According to the configuration illustrated in Fig. 2, the pump unit 10 further includes a connecting pipe 13, a driving circuit 110, and a u piezoelectric pump 120 in addition to the u piezoelectric pump 12 and the d piezoelectric pump 14.

[0016] The u piezoelectric pump 12 is located upstream of a fluid transport path in the pump unit 10, and the d piezoelectric pump 14 is located downstream of the transport path. The u piezoelectric pump 12 and the d piezoelectric pump 14 each have a fluid inlet and outlet. The connecting pipe 13 connects the outlet of the u piezoelectric pump 12 and the inlet of the d piezoelectric pump 14. As a result, the u piezoelectric pump 12 and the d piezoelectric pump 14 are connected in series in the transport path.

[0017] The drive circuit 110 drives each of the u piezoelectric pump 12 and the d piezoelectric pump 14 using power supplied from the u piezoelectric pump 120. The control circuit 100 controls the drive of the u piezoelectric pump 12 and the d piezoelectric pump 14 by the drive circuit 110.

[0018] The connecting pipe 13 may be made of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the material of the connecting pipe 13 may have a thermal conductivity of 0.4 W / mK or more. This can prevent heat generated in the u piezoelectric pump 12 from being transmitted to the d piezoelectric pump 14 by the fluid passing through the connecting pipe 13.

[0019] The connecting pipe 13 may be made of a material having a relatively high Young's modulus, which makes the connecting pipe 13 less likely to deform and can prevent poor connection between the u piezoelectric pump 12 and the d piezoelectric pump 14.

[0020] The connecting tube 13 may include, as its material, a silicone resin, a metal (copper alloy, silver alloy, magnesium alloy, etc.), a ceramic (aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, carbon steel, alumina, titanium alloy, etc.), a glass (soda glass, etc.), a polymer material (high density polyethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, etc.), or an elastomer (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, etc.), or a combination of these materials.

[0021] (Structural example of the connecting pipe 13) In order to prevent the heat of the u piezoelectric pump 12 from being transferred to the d piezoelectric pump 14, the connecting pipe 13 may have a structure for receiving heat from the fluid introduced from the u piezoelectric pump 12. Specific examples of the structure of the connecting pipe 13 will be described below with reference to Figs. 3 to 7.

[0022] 3 is a diagram showing a first specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. In the example of FIG. 3, a plurality of fins 13X (six on each of the right and left sides) are attached to the inner wall of the connecting pipe 13. By including the fins 13X, the connecting pipe 13 comes into contact with the air being transferred from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the d piezoelectric pump 14 over a wider area. This allows more heat to be transferred from the air inside the connecting pipe 13 to the connecting pipe 13 (the fins 13X). This more reliably prevents the heat generated in the u piezoelectric pump 12 from being transferred to the d piezoelectric pump 14.

[0023] In the example of Fig. 3, the outlet 12u represents an opening provided in the u piezoelectric pump 12 for discharging air to the d piezoelectric pump 14. The inlet 14i represents an opening provided in the d piezoelectric pump 14 for introducing air from the u piezoelectric pump 12. The u piezoelectric pump 12 discharges air introduced from the inlet (not shown) via the outlet 12u. The d piezoelectric pump 14 discharges air introduced from the inlet 14i via the outlet (not shown).

[0024] 3, arrow A1 indicates the direction of air flowing from outlet 12u to inlet 14i (for example, a straight line connecting the center point of outlet 12u to the center point of inlet 14i). Each fin 13X has a surface that intersects with arrow A1.

[0025] In the example of FIG. 3, the fins 13X are provided on the inner surface of the connecting pipe 13. The fins 13X may be provided on the outer wall of the connecting pipe 13. When the fins 13X are provided on the outer wall of the connecting pipe 13, the ability of the connecting pipe 13 to release heat to the outside of the connecting pipe 13 is improved. This improves the ability of the air transported to the d piezoelectric pump 14 to transfer heat to the connecting pipe 13 before being transported to the d piezoelectric pump 14. When the fins 13X are provided on the inner surface of the connecting pipe 13, it is preferable that the tip of the fins 13X is disposed closer to the inlet 14i side than the portion where the fins 13X are joined to the connecting pipe 13. That is, it is preferable that the fins 13X are disposed so as to be inclined from the discharge port 12u toward the inlet 14i. This can prevent the flow of air discharged from the discharge port 12u from being obstructed by the fins 13X.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. In the example of FIG. 4, the connecting pipe 13 is shown as a connecting pipe 13A consisting of seven parts. More specifically, the connecting pipe 13A consists of pipes 1301 to 1307. In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 3, the arrow A1 indicates the direction of air flowing from the discharge port 12u to the inlet 14i. In the example of FIG. 4, the air discharged from the discharge port 12u passes through the pipe 1301, the pipe 1302, the pipe 1303, the pipe 1304, the pipe 1305, the pipe 1306, and the pipe 1307 in this order, and reaches the inlet 14i.

[0027] In the example of FIG. 4, in the connecting pipe 13A, the inner surfaces of the pipes 1301, 1303, 1305, and 1307 are aligned with the arrow A1. On the other hand, the pipes 1302, 1304, and 1306 extend in a direction intersecting with the arrow A1 and correspond to a first portion. As a result, at least a part of the inner surfaces of the pipes 1302, 1304, and 1306 intersect with the arrow A1. By including the pipes 1302, 1304, and 1306, the connecting pipe 13A comes into contact with the air conveyed from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the d piezoelectric pump 14 over a larger area. As a result, more heat is transferred from the air in the connecting pipe 13 to the connecting pipe 13A.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a third specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. In the example of Fig. 5, the connecting pipe 13 is shown as a connecting pipe 13B having a bellows-shaped portion. In Fig. 5, as in Fig. 3, the arrow A1 indicates the direction of air flowing from the discharge port 12u to the inlet 14i. The connecting pipe 13B includes a surface that intersects with the arrow A1, and thus comes into contact with the air transported from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the d piezoelectric pump 14 over a wider area.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. In the example of Fig. 6, the connecting pipe 13 is shown as a connecting pipe 13C having a convex portion on its inner surface. In Fig. 6, as in Fig. 3, the arrow A1 indicates the direction of air flowing from the discharge port 12u to the inlet 14i. The convex portion of the connecting pipe 13C includes a surface that intersects with the arrow A1, so that the connecting pipe 13C comes into contact with the air transported from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the d piezoelectric pump 14 over a wider area.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a fifth specific example of the structure of the connecting pipe 13. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the connecting pipe 13C of Fig. 6. In the example of Fig. 7, the connecting pipe 13C further includes, on its inner wall, tufts of bristles 13Y such as those used in a brush. In the example of Fig. 7, the surface area of ​​the connecting pipe 13C is further increased by the tufts of bristles 13Y. This allows a larger area of ​​the connecting pipe 13C to come into contact with the air being transported from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the d piezoelectric pump 14.

[0031] (Example of configuration for cooling the connecting pipe 13) In order to prevent the heat of the u piezoelectric pump 12 from being transferred to the d piezoelectric pump 14, the pump unit 10 may have a configuration for cooling the connecting pipe 13. Hereinafter, a specific example of a configuration for cooling the connecting pipe 13 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for cooling the connecting pipe 13. In the example of FIG. 8, the structure of the liquid medicine tank 40 is changed from that of FIG. 2. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 8, the liquid medicine tank 40 is shown as a liquid medicine tank 40A, which is an example of a liquid storage section and has a structure in which the connecting pipe 13 penetrates inside. As a result, the connecting pipe 13 is cooled by the liquid medicine tank 40A (air and liquid medicine in the liquid medicine tank 40A). Therefore, the transfer of heat from the air sent from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the connecting pipe 13 is promoted, and the rise in temperature of the air flowing into the d piezoelectric pump 14 can be suppressed. The liquid medicine tank 40A is an example of a box body that contains a medicine to be sprayed by discharging the fluid from the d piezoelectric pump 14 through the air nozzle 20. The liquid contained in the liquid storage section may be a liquid in which a solid such as a medicine is dissolved, or may be a liquid that does not contain a medicine.

[0033] Instead of the connecting pipe 13 penetrating the liquid chemical tank 40A, at least a part of the outer wall of the liquid chemical tank 40A may be in contact with the connecting pipe 13. Even with such a configuration, the connecting pipe 13 can be cooled by the liquid chemical tank 40A.

[0034] Moreover, the pump unit 10 may further include a cooling tank that contains a medium for cooling the connecting pipe 13. In this case, the pump unit 10 may cool the connecting pipe 13 by bringing the cooling tank into contact with the connecting pipe 13 instead of or in addition to the chemical tank 40A.

[0035] 9 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration for cooling the connecting pipe 13. In the example of Fig. 9, the pump unit 10 further includes an intake pipe 90, in comparison with the example of Fig. 2.

[0036] More specifically, FIG. 9 includes a cover 1X that covers the outer shell of the nebulizer 1. The intake pipe 90 is connected to the outside of the nebulizer 1 by a hole (intake port 90A) provided in the cover 1X. As a result, air can be introduced from the outside of the nebulizer 1 into the intake pipe 90, as shown by the arrow A2. The intake port 90A is an example of a hole that connects the outside and the inside of the nebulizer 1. The intake pipe 90 may also have an opening on the inside side of the housing of the nebulizer 1. When negative pressure is generated at the tip of the atomizing nozzle 30, an air flow may be generated from the intake port 90A toward the opening of the intake pipe 90, and thus outside air may be taken into the intake pipe 90. The intake pipe 90 is an example of a member for forming a passage that introduces outside air from the outside of the nebulizer 1 to the vicinity of the connecting pipe 13.

[0037] The connecting pipe 13 passes through the intake pipe 90. In Fig. 9, as in Fig. 3, the arrow A1 indicates the direction of air flowing from the discharge port of the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the inlet of the d piezoelectric pump 14. The connecting pipe 13 is not connected to the intake pipe 90. That is, the pressure of the air flowing from the u piezoelectric pump 12 to the d piezoelectric pump 14 is not reduced by leakage into the intake pipe 90.

[0038] The connecting pipe 13 is cooled by the intake pipe 90 (the air in the intake pipe 90). Therefore, the transfer of heat from the air sent from the piezoelectric pump 12 (u) to the connecting pipe 13 is promoted, and the increase in the temperature of the air flowing into the piezoelectric pump 14 (d) can be suppressed.

[0039] Instead of the connecting pipe 13 penetrating the intake pipe 90, at least a part of the outer wall of the intake pipe 90 may be in contact with the connecting pipe 13. Even with this configuration, the connecting pipe 13 can be cooled by the intake pipe 90.

[0040] Each of the chemical tank 40A in Fig. 8 and the intake pipe 90 in Fig. 9 is an example of a cooling unit that cools the outer surface of the connecting pipe 13. The cooling unit may cool the connecting pipe 13 by contacting the outer surface of the connecting pipe 13, as in the case of the chemical tank 40A and the intake pipe 90, or may supply a refrigerant (chemical liquid, other liquid, gas, solid including powder, etc.) to the outer surface of the connecting pipe 13 from a location separated from the connecting pipe 13. In the latter case, the cooling unit is realized by, for example, a fan or a solution sprayer.

[0041] (Variations, etc.) Each of the configurations described in this specification may be realized alone or in combination. For example, in one example, a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity such as a metal is shown as the material of the connecting pipe 13, and in another example, a structure of the connecting pipe 13 including fins 13X as shown in Fig. 3 is shown. And, the connecting pipe 13 including fins 13X as shown in Fig. 3 may be made of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity such as a metal.

[0042] In still another example, the pump unit 10 further includes an intake pipe 90 for cooling the connecting pipe 13. When the pump unit 10 includes the intake pipe 90, the connecting pipe 13 may include fins 13X.

[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 nebulizer, 1X cover, 10 pump unit, 12, 14 piezoelectric pump, 13, 13A, 13B, 13C connecting tube, 13X fin, 13Y hair bundle, 20 air nozzle, 30 atomizing nozzle, 40, 40A drug solution tank, 50 mouthpiece, 90 intake tube, 90A intake port, 100 control circuit, 1301 to 1307 tubes.

Claims

1. A first piezoelectric pump; A second piezoelectric pump; a pipe connecting a fluid outlet of the first piezoelectric pump and a fluid inlet of the second piezoelectric pump, the pipe includes a surface that intersects in a direction extending from the outlet to the inlet, a cooling unit for cooling an outer surface of the tube; The cooling unit includes a liquid storage portion that stores liquid sprayed by the discharge of fluid from the second piezoelectric pump.

2. A first piezoelectric pump; A second piezoelectric pump; a tube connecting a fluid outlet of the first piezoelectric pump and a fluid inlet of the second piezoelectric pump, the pipe includes a surface that intersects in a direction extending from the outlet to the inlet, a cooling unit for cooling an outer surface of the tube; A housing that covers an outer shell of the fluid control device, The housing has a hole formed therein, the cooling unit is a passage connecting the hole and an inlet of the first piezoelectric pump, A fluid control device, wherein the cooling unit is in contact with the tube or the tube is disposed within the cooling unit.

3. The pipe includes a first portion extending in a direction intersecting a direction connecting the outlet and the inlet, The fluid control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a surface intersecting a direction extending from the discharge port to the inlet is formed by an inner surface of the first portion.

4. 4. The fluid control device according to claim 1, wherein a surface intersecting a direction extending from the discharge port to the inlet is formed by forming the tube into a bellows shape.

5. The fluid control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface intersecting a direction connecting the discharge port and the inlet is formed as a fin of the tube or a convex portion facing inward of the tube.

6. A first piezoelectric pump; A second piezoelectric pump; a pipe connecting a fluid outlet of the first piezoelectric pump and a fluid inlet of the second piezoelectric pump; a cooling unit for cooling an outer surface of the tube; The cooling unit includes a liquid storage portion that stores liquid sprayed by the discharge of fluid from the second piezoelectric pump.

7. A first piezoelectric pump; A second piezoelectric pump; a pipe connecting a fluid outlet of the first piezoelectric pump and a fluid inlet of the second piezoelectric pump; A fluid control device comprising: a cooling unit for cooling an outer surface of the tube, The fluid control device further includes a housing that covers an outer shell of the fluid control device. The housing has a hole formed therein, the cooling unit is a passage connecting the hole and an inlet of the first piezoelectric pump, A fluid control device, wherein the cooling unit is in contact with the tube or the tube is disposed within the cooling unit.

8. The fluid control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner surface of the pipe includes a surface that intersects with a direction extending from the discharge port to the inlet.

9. The fluid control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tube is made of a material containing a metal.

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