Atomizer

Abstract

An atomizer. An outer pipe is sleeved outside a center pipe, the axis of the center pipe coincides with the axis of the outer pipe, and a gap is present between the outer pipe and the center pipe to form an annular gas path. A liquid feeding pipe communicates with one end of the center pipe, a nozzle is connected to the other end of the center pipe, a gas feeding pipe communicates with the side wall of the outer pipe, and a carrier gas enters the annular gas path through the gas feeding pipe and is sprayed out through the nozzle. A support structure is arranged in the outer pipe, and the support structure is fixed between the outer pipe and the center pipe.

Description

atomizer

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 28, 2023, with application number 2023232373912 and application name “Atomizer”, parts of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 28, 2023, with application number 2023116147880 and application name “Atomizer”, parts of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of atomizers, and in particular to an atomizer. Background Art

[0004] A nebulizer is a device that converts liquid into tiny particles to form a mist suspension. This mist substance can be water vapor, drug solution, aroma, etc., depending on the application of the nebulizer.

[0005] In related technologies, the atomizer is produced through a 3D printing process. Since the concentricity of the air inlet pipe and the liquid inlet pipe of the atomizer is not high, the printing stability of the atomizer is poor, the yield rate is low, the quality between product batches is uneven, and the scrap rate remains high.

[0006] Application Contents

[0007] The purpose of this application is to provide an atomizer to solve the technical problem that the concentricity between the air inlet pipe and the liquid inlet pipe of the atomizer is not high, resulting in poor printing stability and low yield of the atomizer.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides a nebulizer, which includes an outer tube, a central tube, an air inlet pipe, a liquid inlet pipe and a nozzle, wherein the outer tube is sleeved on the outside of the central tube, the centerline of the central tube coincides with the centerline of the outer tube, and a gap is formed between the outer tube and the central tube to form an annular air path; the liquid inlet pipe is connected to one end of the central tube, the nozzle is connected to the other end of the central tube, the air inlet pipe is connected to the side wall of the outer tube, the liquid inlet pipe is used to pass a sample solution to be atomized, and the air inlet pipe is used to pass a carrier gas, and the carrier gas enters the annular air path through the air inlet pipe and is ejected from the nozzle;

[0009] Wherein, a support structure is provided inside the outer tube, one end of the support structure is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube, and the other end thereof is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube.

[0010] Furthermore, a plurality of the support structures are provided inside the outer tube, and the plurality of support structures are arranged at intervals along the centerline direction of the central tube.

[0011] Furthermore, the support structure includes a plurality of support members, which are arranged at intervals around the center line of the central tube, one end of the support member is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube, and the other end thereof is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube.

[0012] Furthermore, a plurality of the support members are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of the central tube.

[0013] Furthermore, the thickness of the support member at a side away from the nozzle is greater than the thickness of the support member at a side close to the nozzle.

[0014] Furthermore, the support member includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, and the first curved surface and the second curved surface are symmetrically arranged.

[0015] Furthermore, the curvature radius of the first curved surface and / or the second curved surface gradually increases from a direction away from the nozzle to a direction close to the nozzle.

[0016] Furthermore, one side of the first curved surface is connected to one side of the second curved surface, and the other side of the first curved surface is connected to the other side of the second curved surface, so as to form a water drop-shaped structure.

[0017] Furthermore, the nozzle has a mist outlet, and the nozzle includes a shell and a plurality of protrusions provided on the inner wall of the shell. The protrusions gradually bend and extend from one end close to the outer tube toward the end face of the shell. The plurality of protrusions are arranged at intervals around the center line of the shell, and the plurality of protrusions and the shell enclose the mist outlet to form the mist outlet.

[0018] Furthermore, the plurality of protrusions are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of the shell.

[0019] Furthermore, the protrusion is a spiral blade-shaped structure, and a plurality of the protrusions surround the center line of the shell to form a spiral blade-shaped mist outlet structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the atomizer is integrally formed by 3D printing.

[0021] The present application provides an atomizer, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The atomizer of the present application is provided with a support structure in the annular air path between the outer tube and the central tube, one end of the support structure is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube, and the other end of the support structure is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube. With this design, the support structure can connect the outer tube and the central tube into one, improve the concentricity of the outer tube and the central tube, and when the atomizer is printed by 3D technology, the support structure can form a certain supporting force on the outer tube and the central tube to prevent the annular air path from being deformed, or prevent the structure of the outer tube or the central tube from being deformed, thereby enhancing the stability of the 3D printing process and improving the yield rate of the atomizer. When using the atomizer, the sample solution enters the central tube from the liquid inlet pipe and reaches the nozzle. A certain flow of carrier gas enters the annular air path from the side air inlet pipe to form a high-speed airflow. The high-speed airflow passes through the annular air path to reach the nozzle to generate negative pressure, and breaks the solution into a mist-like aerosol at the nozzle, and finally carries the aerosol out of the nozzle, thereby realizing the atomization process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an atomizer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIG2 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of an atomizer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a radial cross-section of an atomizer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a support structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a nozzle provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] The markings in the figure are as follows: 10, outer tube; 20, central tube; 30, air inlet pipe; 40, liquid inlet pipe; 50, nozzle; 501, mist outlet; 51, shell; 52, protrusion; 60, annular air path; 70, supporting structure; 71, supporting member; 711, first curved surface; 712, second curved surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "inside", "outside", etc. used in this application to indicate the orientation or position relationship are based on the position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices and elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various types of information, but such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, "first" information may also be referred to as "second" information, and similarly, "second" information may also be referred to as "first" information, without departing from the scope of this application.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an embodiment of the present application provides a nebulizer, which includes an outer tube 10, a central tube 20, an air inlet pipe 30, a liquid inlet pipe 40 and a nozzle 50. The outer tube 10 is sleeved on the outside of the central tube 20, the center line of the central tube 20 coincides with the center line of the outer tube 10, and the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20 have a gap to form an annular air path 60; the liquid inlet pipe 40 is connected to one end of the central tube 20, the nozzle 50 is connected to the other end of the central tube 20, the air inlet pipe 30 is connected to the side wall of the outer tube 10, the liquid inlet pipe 40 is used to introduce the sample solution to be atomized, and the air inlet pipe 30 is used to introduce the carrier gas, which enters the annular air path 60 through the air inlet pipe 30 and is ejected by the nozzle 50; wherein, a support structure 70 is provided inside the outer tube 10, one end of the support structure 70 is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube 10, and the other end thereof is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube 20.

[0034] Based on the above technical solution, please refer to Figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment, a support structure 70 is provided in the annular gas path 60 between the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20. One end of the support structure 70 is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube 10, and the other end of the support structure 70 is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube 20. With this design, the support structure 70 can connect the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20 into one body, improving the concentricity of the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20. When the atomizer is printed using 3D technology, the support structure 70 can form a certain supporting force on the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20, preventing the annular gas path 60 from deforming, or preventing the structure of the outer tube 10 or the central tube 20 from deforming, thereby enhancing the stability of the 3D printing process and improving the yield rate of the atomizer.

[0035] When using the nebulizer, the sample solution enters the central tube 20 from the liquid inlet pipe 40 and reaches the nozzle 50. A certain flow of carrier gas enters the annular gas path 60 from the side air inlet pipe 30 to form a high-speed airflow. The high-speed airflow passes through the annular gas path 60 to reach the nozzle 50, generating negative pressure, and breaks the solution into a mist-like aerosol at the nozzle 50. Finally, the aerosol is carried out of the nozzle 50, thereby realizing the atomization process.

[0036] As an embodiment, a plurality of support structures 70 are disposed inside the outer tube 10 , and the plurality of support structures 70 are spaced apart along the centerline direction of the central tube 20 .

[0037] Specifically, referring to FIG2 , in this embodiment, three support structures 70 are arranged at intervals along the centerline direction of the central tube 20, forming a supporting force on the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20 from three different positions: the front, middle, and rear of the annular gas path 60. This is more conducive to improving the concentricity of the outer tube 10 and the central tube 20, and fully preventing the structure of the outer tube 10 or the central tube 20 from deformation.

[0038] When using the atomizer, carrier gas needs to be introduced from the air inlet pipe 30 and the atomized aerosol needs to be sprayed out from the nozzle 50. Therefore, the air inlet pressure at the front and rear positions is relatively high. In this embodiment, two of the support structures 70 are respectively arranged at a position close to the nozzle 50 and a position close to the air inlet pipe 30, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the front and rear positions and avoiding deformation of the structure of the outer tube 10 or the center tube 20 during the atomization process.

[0039] As an embodiment, the support structure 70 includes a plurality of support members 71 , which are arranged at intervals around the center line of the central tube 20 , with one end of the support member 71 fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube 10 and the other end fixed to the outer wall of the central tube 20 .

[0040] Specifically, referring to FIG3 , each support member 71 is arranged at intervals around the center line of the outer tube 10 or the center tube 20. Each support member 71 forms a supporting force on the outer tube 10 and the center tube 20 from all directions, preventing the structure of the outer tube 10 or the center tube 20 from being deformed from all directions, and is more conducive to improving the concentricity of the outer tube 10 and the center tube 20.

[0041] As an embodiment, a plurality of support members 71 are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of the central tube 20 .

[0042] Exemplarily, referring to FIG. 3 , the support structure 70 includes three support members 71 , which are evenly spaced and have an angle of 120 degrees between two adjacent support members 71 , thereby forming a more balanced support force on the outer tube 10 and the center tube 20 .

[0043] As an embodiment, the thickness of the support member 71 at a side away from the nozzle 50 is greater than the thickness of the support member 71 at a side close to the nozzle 50 .

[0044] Specifically, referring to FIG4 , when viewing the support member 71 from the bottom, the thickness of the left side of the support member 71 is greater than that of the right side, so that the carrier gas can be further diverted when passing through the support member 71 , thereby changing the movement mode of the airflow and improving the atomization effect.

[0045] As an embodiment, referring to FIG. 4 , the support member 71 includes a first curved surface 711 and a second curved surface 712 , and the first curved surface 711 and the second curved surface 712 are symmetrically arranged.

[0046] Specifically, the structural design of the first curved surface 711 and the second curved surface 712 of the support member 71 conforms to fluid dynamics. When the carrier gas passes through the surface of the support member 71, the flow velocity is further increased, thereby improving the atomization effect.

[0047] As an embodiment, referring to FIG. 4 , the curvature radius of the first curved surface 711 and / or the second curved surface 712 gradually increases from a direction away from the nozzle 50 to a direction close to the nozzle 50 .

[0048] Specifically, referring to FIG4 , the structural design on both sides of the support member 71 conforms to fluid dynamics. When the carrier gas flows from left to right, the smooth curved edges facilitate the carrier gas to flow along the surface of the support member 71 , thereby avoiding poor airflow caused by the setting of the support member 71 .

[0049] As an embodiment, referring to FIG. 4 , one side of the first curved surface 711 is connected to one side of the second curved surface 712 , and the other side of the first curved surface 711 is connected to the other side of the second curved surface 712 to form a teardrop-shaped structure.

[0050] As an embodiment, please refer to Figure 5, the nozzle 50 has a mist outlet 501; the nozzle 50 includes a shell 51 and a plurality of protrusions 52 provided on the inner wall of the shell 51, the protrusion 52 gradually bends and extends from one end close to the outer tube 10 toward the end face of the shell 51, and the plurality of protrusions 52 are arranged at intervals around the center line of the shell 51, and the plurality of protrusions 52 and the shell 51 enclose to form the mist outlet 501.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, a plurality of annular protrusions 52 are provided on the inner wall of the shell 51 of the nozzle 50. The protrusions 52 gradually bend and extend from one end near the outer tube 10 toward the end face of the shell 51, so that the liquid can form a clockwise or counterclockwise flow when passing through the curved and extended protrusions 52. The water pressure causes the liquid to generate centrifugal force, thereby ejecting a cone-shaped spray. When the atomizer is used, the sample solution enters the central tube 20 from the liquid inlet pipe 40 and reaches the nozzle 50. The carrier gas enters the annular gas path 60 from the air inlet pipe 30 to form a high-speed airflow. The sample solution is broken into an aerosol by the high-speed carrier gas at the nozzle 50. When the aerosol passes through the spiral blade-shaped mist outlet 501, it hits the protrusions 52 to form a mist aerosol, thereby improving the atomization effect and atomization efficiency of the atomizer.

[0052] As an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 52 are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of the housing 51 .

[0053] For example, please refer to Figure 5, the three protrusions 52 are spaced at equal intervals, and the angle between two adjacent protrusions 52 is 120 degrees. The water flows through the nozzle 50 and hits the three protrusions 52 at the same time, producing a more uniform layered spray effect at the mist outlet 501, and can spray out a more regular conical spray, thereby improving the atomization effect of the atomizer.

[0054] As an embodiment, the protrusion 52 is a spiral blade-shaped structure, and a plurality of protrusions 52 surround the center line of the shell 51 to form a spiral blade-shaped mist outlet 501 structure.

[0055] Specifically, please refer to Figure 5. The protrusion 52 gradually bends and extends from the inside to the outside, and because its extension direction intersects with the center line of the shell 51, the structure of the protrusion 52 is more curved, thereby forming a spiral blade-shaped mist outlet 501 structure, further increasing the centrifugal force generated by the liquid flowing through the protrusion 52. The spiral blade-shaped mist outlet 501 uses an impact method to spray out the spray. When the water flow passes through the nozzle 50 and hits the protrusion 52, a layered spray effect is generated at the mist outlet 501, further improving the atomization effect of the atomizer.

[0056] As an embodiment, the atomizer is integrally formed by 3D printing.

[0057] Specifically, the atomizer of this embodiment does not need to be disassembled after printing, thereby improving the production efficiency of the atomizer. At present, the production of atomizers through 3D printing is an innovative and flexible method, but the following steps and precautions need to be considered during the design and production process:

[0058] First, create a 3D model of the atomizer using computer-aided design (CAD) software, making sure to take into account the atomizer's structure, fluid dynamics, and the interactions of its parts.

[0059] Second, consider the material limitations of 3D printing and choose materials that are heat-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and strong enough for atomizer applications, such as nylon, ABS, PETG, etc.

[0060] Third, choose a 3D printing technology suitable for atomizer production. Common technologies include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), etc.

[0061] Fourth, parameters such as layer height, printing speed, and resolution should be considered to meet the accuracy and surface smoothness requirements of the atomizer.

[0062] Fifth, considering the overhang, overhang, and hanging of the atomizer model, a support structure 70 is added to prevent the part from becoming unstable or deforming during the printing process.

[0063] Sixth, import the CAD model into the 3D printing software and adjust the printing parameters such as layer height, fill density, and printing temperature. Then load the designed atomizer model into the 3D printer for printing. After printing, perform subsequent surface treatment as needed, such as sandpaper polishing and smooth coating.

[0064] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, including these combinations. It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or system that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements that are not explicitly listed, or also includes elements that are inherent to such process, method, article or system. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "including a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or system that includes the element.

[0065] The serial numbers of the embodiments of the present application are for description only and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the embodiments. The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An atomizer, comprising an outer tube, a central tube, an air inlet pipe, a liquid inlet pipe and a nozzle, wherein the outer tube is sleeved on the outside of the central tube, the center line of the central tube coincides with the center line of the outer tube, and a gap is provided between the outer tube and the central tube to form an annular gas path; the liquid inlet pipe is connected to one end of the central tube, the nozzle is connected to the other end of the central tube, the air inlet pipe is connected to the side wall of the outer tube, the liquid inlet pipe is used to introduce a sample solution to be atomized, the air inlet pipe is used to introduce a carrier gas, the carrier gas enters the annular gas path through the air inlet pipe and is ejected from the nozzle; in, A support structure is arranged inside the outer tube, one end of the support structure is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube, and the other end of the support structure is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube.

2. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of the support structures are arranged inside the outer tube, and the plurality of the support structures are arranged at intervals along the center line direction of the central tube.

3. The atomizer according to claim 2, wherein: The support structure includes a plurality of support members, which are arranged at intervals around the center line of the central tube. One end of the support member is fixed to the inner wall of the outer tube, and the other end is fixed to the outer wall of the central tube.

4. The atomizer according to claim 3, wherein: The plurality of support members are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of the central tube.

5. The atomizer according to claim 3, wherein: The thickness of the support member at a side away from the nozzle is greater than the thickness of the support member at a side close to the nozzle.

6. The atomizer according to claim 3, wherein: The support member includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, and the first curved surface and the second curved surface are symmetrically arranged.

7. The atomizer according to claim 6, wherein: From a direction away from the nozzle to a direction close to the nozzle, the curvature radius of the first curved surface and / or the second curved surface gradually increases.

8. The atomizer according to claim 6, wherein: One side of the first curved surface is connected to one side of the second curved surface, and the other side of the first curved surface is connected to the other side of the second curved surface to form a water drop-shaped structure.

9. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein: The nozzle has a mist outlet, and the nozzle includes a shell and a plurality of protrusions arranged on the inner wall of the shell. The protrusions gradually bend and extend from one end close to the outer tube toward the end surface of the shell. The plurality of protrusions are arranged at intervals around the center line of the shell, and the plurality of protrusions and the shell are enclosed to form the mist outlet.

10. The atomizer according to claim 9, wherein: The plurality of protrusions are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of the shell.

11. The atomizer according to claim 9, wherein: The protrusion is a spiral blade-shaped structure, and a plurality of the protrusions surround the center line of the shell to form a spiral blade-shaped mist outlet structure.

12. The atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein The atomizer is integrally formed by 3D printing.

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