Powder spraying device

Abstract

To continuously eject powders.SOLUTION: A powder ejector has a chamber 12 that stores powders 24, a nozzle plate 14 that is provided at an outlet 12B of the powders 24 from the chamber 12 and has a large number of minute nozzle holes, a pressure pump 18 (pressurizer) that pressurizes the inside of the chamber 12, a decompression pump 19 that decompresses the inside of the chamber 12, and a control portion 22 that alternately intermittent-operates the pressure pump 18 and the decompression pump 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been disclosed in which a pressurized slurry is supplied to one side of a permeable membrane, and the permeable membrane is vibrated while allowing the permeating components to pass through to the other side, thereby extracting a slurry containing only fine particles from the other side, and a slurry containing large particles from one side (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-37688 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to the above-mentioned technology, a technology is also generally available for atomizing a liquid by vibrating a nozzle plate having many nozzle holes. However, when attempting to spray powder into the air using this technology, it is difficult to spray continuously because the powder particles block and clog the nozzle holes in the nozzle plate.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable powder to be ejected continuously from a nozzle plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The powder jetting device of the first aspect comprises a chamber in which powder is contained, a nozzle plate provided at an outlet of the powder from the chamber and having a large number of fine nozzle holes, a pressurizer for pressurizing the inside of the chamber, a pressure reducer for depressurizing the inside of the chamber, and a control unit for intermittently operating the pressurizer and the pressure reducer alternately.

[0007] In this powder ejection device, the pressure in the chamber is increased by operating the pressurizer, so that the powder in the chamber is pressed against the nozzle hole in the nozzle plate, and the powder is forcibly ejected from the nozzle hole to the outside. If such ejection continues, the powder in the chamber will eventually adhere to the nozzle hole in the nozzle plate and block the nozzle plate, so the operation of the pressurizer is stopped and the pressure reducer is started. This operation reduces the pressure in the chamber, so when the powder adhering to the nozzle hole in the nozzle plate is forcibly detached from the nozzle hole and begins to float in the chamber, the operation of the pressure reducer is stopped and the pressurizer is started. In this way, by alternately and intermittently operating the pressurizer and the pressure reducer, the powder can be ejected continuously without clogging the nozzle hole in the nozzle plate.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the powder jetting device according to the first aspect, the powder jetting device further includes a piezoelectric vibrator that vibrates the nozzle plate.

[0009] In this powder jetting device, the nozzle plate, which is prevented from clogging by intermittent operation of the pressurizer and the decompressor, is vibrated by a piezoelectric vibrator, thereby making it possible to further improve the efficiency of powder jetting.

[0010] In the third aspect, in the powder ejection device of the first or second aspect, the operation time of the pressurizer per cycle is T1, the operation time of the pressure reducer per cycle is T3, and the interval time when switching between the pressurizer and the pressure reducer is T2, where T1>0, T2≧0, and T3>0.

[0011] In this powder ejection device, the efficiency of ejecting powder can be further improved by appropriately setting the operating times of the pressurizer and the pressure reducer, and the interval time when switching between the pressurizer and the pressure reducer. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the nozzle holes of the nozzle plate are not clogged, and powder can be ejected continuously. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a powder jetting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of a control unit. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a flow of control by a control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a chart showing operation timing and pressure changes of a pressurizer and a decompressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated descriptions and reference numerals in the embodiments described below may be omitted. In addition, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, etc. shown in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual ones. In addition, the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, etc. between multiple drawings do not necessarily match.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the powder jetting device 10 according to this embodiment has a chamber 12, a nozzle plate 14, a piezoelectric vibrator 16, a pressure pump 18 as an example of a pressurizer, a pressure reduction pump 19 as an example of a pressure reducer, and a control unit 22.

[0016] The chamber 12 is a cylindrical container that contains the powder 24, and is arranged, for example, so that the axial direction is the up-down direction. The powder 24 is, for example, a powdered inhalant, and the nozzle hole (not shown) of the nozzle plate 14 is manufactured to have a fine shape with a diameter of 5 μm, so that the powder 24 of 5 μm or less can be selectively fractionated and ejected to reach the lungs.

[0017] The upper end of the chamber 12 is a supply port 12A for the powder 24. This supply port 12A is normally closed by a lid 26, but can be opened when supplying the powder 24. A seal member 28 is provided on the end face of the supply port 12A to ensure airtightness between the lid 26 and the chamber 12. Meanwhile, the lower end of the chamber 12 is an outlet 12B for the powder 24. A nozzle unit 30 is attached to this outlet 12B. A seal member 32 is provided on the end face of the outlet 12B to ensure airtightness between the nozzle unit 30 and the chamber 12.

[0018] A decompression vent 39 is provided at the upper part of the side of the chamber 12. A pressurization vent 38 is provided below the vent 39 on the side of the chamber 12. That is, the decompression vent 39 is provided on the side of the chamber 12 farther from the outlet 12B, and the pressurization vent 38 is provided on the side closer to the outlet 12B. This is to prevent the powder 24 from flowing out from the decompression vent 39.

[0019] For example, a suction pipe 34 can be attached to the nozzle unit 30. The nozzle unit 30 is provided with a flow path 30A that communicates with the chamber 12 side and the suction pipe 34. The flow path 30A is provided with a nozzle plate 14 to which a piezoelectric vibrator 16 is attached. The powder 24 that enters the flow path 30A from the chamber 12 passes through the nozzle holes of the nozzle plate 14 and is sprayed to the outside, that is, to the suction pipe 34 side.

[0020] The nozzle plate 14 is provided at the outlet 12B of the powder 24 from the chamber 12, specifically at the nozzle unit 30, and has many fine nozzle holes. The piezoelectric vibrator 16 is a piezoelectric element that vibrates the nozzle plate 14, and is attached to the nozzle plate 14.

[0021] The pressure pump 18 is a pressurizer that pressurizes the inside of the chamber 12, and is connected to the vent port 38, for example, via a connecting pipe 48. The pressure pump 18 supplies compressed air into the chamber 12 in the direction of arrow A, thereby pressurizing the inside of the chamber 12.

[0022] The decompression pump 19 is a pressure reducer that reduces the pressure inside the chamber 12, and is connected to the vent 39 via, for example, a connecting pipe 49. The decompression pump 19 reduces the pressure inside the chamber 12 by sucking air inside the chamber 12 in the direction of arrow B. In order to prevent the powder 24 from being sucked into the decompression pump 19, the vent 39 or the connecting pipe 49 may be provided with a filter (not shown).

[0023] In FIG. 1, the control unit 22 is a device that alternately and intermittently operates the pressure pump 18 and the pressure reduction pump 19. The control unit 22 is connected to the piezoelectric vibrator 16, the pressure pump 18, and the pressure reduction pump 19. The control unit 22 is also connected to an operation panel 42. The circuit configuration of the control unit 22 is as shown in FIG. 2. The control unit 22 has, for example, a pump control board 44 and an oscillation circuit board 46. The pump control board 44 has an ON / OFF switching function 51, a timer 1, a timer 2, and a timer 3. The oscillation circuit board 46 is connected to the pump control board 44 and controls the voltage supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 16 and the frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator 16. The voltage and frequency may be adjusted appropriately depending on the type of powder 24 (FIG. 1), or may be selected appropriately from preset values ​​depending on the type.

[0024] It is also possible to preset the set times of the timers 1, 2, and 3 and the number of times of a series of operations that combine these. In this case, the set times of the timers 1, 2, and 3 and the number of times of a series of operations may be appropriately adjusted depending on the type of powder 24 (FIG. 1), or may be appropriately selected from preset values ​​depending on the type.

[0025] If the operation time of the pressurizing pump 18 per cycle is T1, the operation time of the decompression pump 19 per cycle is T3, and the interval time when switching between the operation of the pressurizing pump 18 and the decompression pump 19 is T2, then T1>0, T2≧0, and T3>0.

[0026] (action) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the powder jetting device 10 according to this embodiment, the pressure in the chamber 12 is increased to a positive pressure by operating the pressure pump 18, whereby the powder 24 in the chamber 12 is pressed against the nozzle holes of the nozzle plate 14, and the powder 24 is forcibly jetted outward from the nozzle holes.

[0027] If this ejection continues, the powder 24 in the chamber 12 will eventually adhere to the nozzle holes in the nozzle plate 14 and block the nozzle plate 14, so the operation of the pressurizing pump 18 is stopped and the operation of the decompression pump 19 is started.

[0028] This operation reduces the pressure inside the chamber 12 to a negative pressure, and when the powder 24 adhering to the nozzle holes in the nozzle plate 14 is forcibly pulled away from the nozzle holes and begins to float inside the chamber 12, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 19 is stopped and the operation of the pressure increasing pump 18 is started.

[0029] In this way, by alternately and intermittently operating the pressure pump 18 and the pressure reduction pump 19, the nozzle holes of the nozzle plate 14 do not become clogged, and the powder 24 can be continuously ejected to the outside (suction pipe 34).

[0030] In addition, during such operation, the nozzle plate 14, which is prevented from clogging, is vibrated by the piezoelectric vibrator 16, thereby further improving the ejection efficiency of the powder 24. In addition, by appropriately setting the operation times T1 and T3 of the pressurizing pump 18 and the decompression pump 19 and the interval time T2 when switching between the operation of the pressurizing pump 18 and the decompression pump 19, the ejection efficiency of the powder 24 can be further improved. This allows the powder 24 to be ejected continuously. By applying this powder ejection device 10 to a powdered medicine inhalation device, it becomes easy for a patient to hold the suction tube 34 in his mouth and ingest the powdered medicine ejected from the device by inhalation. By inhaling the medicine, the medicine can also be directly administered to the affected part of the lung.

[0031] An example of the control flow will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The power supply to the operation panel 42 is turned on, and in step S1, the piezoelectric vibrator 16 is driven to start vibrating the nozzle plate 14. In step S2, it is determined whether the operation lamp (not shown) of the nozzle plate is lit, and if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S3, and if the determination is NO, the process returns to step S1.

[0032] In step S3, operation times T1, T2, and T3 of timers 1, 2, and 3 are set, and a series of operation times (N times) of the combination of timers 1, 2, and 3 are set. These settings may be appropriately adjusted according to the type of powder 24 (FIG. 1), or may be appropriately selected from preset values ​​according to the type.

[0033] In step S4, the operation of the pressure pump 18 starts. The operation time is T1 (>0). As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure in the chamber 12 during the operation time T1 changes, for example, in a trapezoidal shape. This is because there is a pressure fluctuation when the operation starts and stops. During the operation time T1, the pressure in the chamber 12 in FIG. 1 is pressurized to a positive pressure.

[0034] When the operation time T1 has elapsed, in step S5, the operation of the pressurizing pump 18 is stopped. When the interval time T2 (≧0) has elapsed, in step S6, the operation of the decompression pump 19 is started. The operation time is T3 (>0). As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure inside the chamber 12 during operation time T3 changes, for example, in a trapezoidal shape. This is because there is a pressure fluctuation when operation starts and stops. During operation time T3, the pressure inside the chamber 12 in FIG. 1 is reduced to a negative pressure.

[0035] When the operation time T3 has elapsed, in step S7, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 19 is stopped. Then, when the interval time T2 (≧0) has elapsed, it is determined whether the number of times of the series of operations (N times) has been reached, and if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S9. If the determination is NO, the process returns to step S4, and the series of operations is repeated. The series of operations is pressurization during the operation time T1, stopping during the first interval time T2, depressurization during the operation time T3, and stopping during the second interval time T2.

[0036] The interval time T2 may be 0. In this case, the operation times T1 and T3 may be operated so as to overlap each other. In other words, the operation of the decompression pump 19 may be started before the operation of the pressurization pump 18 is stopped, or the operation of the pressurization pump 18 may be started before the operation of the decompression pump 19 is stopped. In this case, the switching between positive and negative pressures in the chamber 12 proceeds more quickly than when the interval time T2 is provided. Even in this case, the pressurization pump 18 and the decompression pump 19 each operate intermittently independently.

[0037] In step S9, the power supply to the operation panel 42 is turned off, and in step S10, the vibration of the nozzle plate 14 is stopped, and the process ends.

[0038] (Test Example) It was visually confirmed how the amount of powder ejected changed depending on the operating conditions shown in Table 1. The numerical values ​​are shown as indexes with the amount of ejection when the nozzle plate was vibrated being set to 0, as in Patent Document 1, which is a prior art document. When the nozzle plate was only vibrated, the ejection of powder was not confirmed, but when only pressure was applied, some ejection (index 1) was confirmed. Next, when pressure and pressure were repeatedly applied, three times the amount of ejection was confirmed compared to when pressure was only applied. Furthermore, when pressure and pressure were repeatedly applied and the nozzle plate was vibrated, ten times the amount of ejection was confirmed compared to when pressure was only applied. Thus, it was confirmed that powder can be ejected even by repeating pressure and pressure reduction, and that by combining this with the vibration of the nozzle plate, more efficient powder ejection is possible.

[0039] [Table 1]

[0040] [Other embodiments] An example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0041] For example, the piezoelectric vibrator 16 may not be provided, or a control mode may be set that does not use the piezoelectric vibrator 16. This is because, as shown in the test example, the powder 24 can be ejected by only pressurization and depressurization.

[0042] With respect to the operation time T1 of the pressurizing pump 18 per operation, the operation time T3 of the decompression pump 19 per operation, and the interval time T2, it has been assumed that T1>0, T2≧0, and T3>0, but the settings of each time are not limited to this. Note that the operation times T1, T2, and T3 vary depending on the pressure of the pressurizing pump 18 and the pressure of the decompression pump 19, the internal volume of the chamber 12, and the amount of powder 24, but are preferably set in seconds, and in this case, it is estimated that the powder 24 will be sprayed continuously for about several tens of seconds. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Powder injection device 12. Chamber 12B Exit 14 Nozzle plate 16 Piezoelectric vibrator 18 Pressure pump (pressurizer) 19 Pressure reducing pump (pressure reducer) 22 Control section 24 Powder T1 Operating time of the pressurizer per one time T2 Interval Time T3 Pressure reducer operation time per cycle

Claims

1. a chamber in which powder is contained and which is provided with a vent for decompression and a vent for pressurization on a side thereof; a nozzle plate provided at an outlet of the powder from the chamber and having a large number of minute nozzle holes; A pressurizer for pressurizing the inside of the chamber; a pressure reducer for reducing the pressure inside the chamber; A control unit that alternately and intermittently operates the pressurizer and the decompressor; having The powder ejection device, wherein the decompression vent is provided on a side of the chamber farther from the outlet, and the pressurization vent is provided on a side closer to the outlet.

2. 2. The powder ejecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a piezoelectric vibrator for vibrating the nozzle plate.

3. The operation time of the pressurizer per one operation is T1, The operation time of the pressure reducer per one operation is T3, If the interval time when switching between the pressurizer and the decompressor is T2, 3. The powder ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein T1>0, T2≧0, and T3>0.

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