Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0638—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers spray being produced by discharging the liquid or other fluent material through a plate comprising a plurality of orifices
  • B05B17/0646—Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
  • B05B15/50—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
  • B05B15/58—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage by recirculating the fluid to be sprayed from upstream of the discharge opening back to the supplying means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0623—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers coupled with a vibrating horn
  • B05B17/063—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers coupled with a vibrating horn having an internal channel for supplying the liquid or other fluent material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0653—Details
  • B05B17/0676—Feeding means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0653—Details
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0653—Details
  • B05B17/0669—Excitation frequencies

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a liquid atomizer comprising a piezoelectric element fixed on a vibratory amplification amplifying tube comprising a cavity containing the liquid to be atomized and relates more particularly to an atomizer in which the horn is mechanically and acoustically coupled to an atomiser. micro-perforated membrane closing one side of the cavity.
• an ultrasonic liquid atomizer comprising a piezoelectric element fixed on a vibratory amplification amplifying vibrator comprising an end coupled to a micro-perforated membrane closing a cavity formed inside the trunk containing the liquid to be atomized
• Such an atomizer has the advantage of vibrating in a longitudinal mode and to allow the instantaneous spraying of a quantity of liquid very accurately with drops of regular size.
• the limited height of water above the membrane and the presence of an airtight tank make it possible to avoid the problems of dripping through the membrane when the atomizer is at a standstill.
• an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid atomizer, comprising a vibratory displacement amplifying amplification tube comprising a cavity containing the liquid to be atomized closed by a micro-membrane. perforated, which can work for a long time, or even continuously, and which has no problem of dripping when the atomization is stopped.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an iron equipped with such an atomizer.
• the subject of the invention is a liquid atomiser comprising a piezoelectric element fixed on a vibratory displacement amplifying probe comprising a cavity containing the liquid to be atomized, the trunk comprising a first part receiving the piezoelectric element and a second part , distinct from the first part, mechanically and acoustically coupled to a micro-perforated membrane closing one side of the cavity, characterized in that the cavity is fed with liquid from a reservoir with a flow rate greater than the spray rate of the atomizer in operation and in that the horn comprises at least one outlet hole connecting the cavity to a bypass duct to the tank.
• the exit hole will be sufficiently distant from the first part receiving the piezoelectric element not to disturb too much the vibratory operation of the atomizer.
• the exit hole will also be advantageously sufficiently far from the micro-perforated membrane so that the flow of liquid through the exit hole does not come to disturb the operation of the micro-perforated membrane.
• Such an atomizer has the advantage of having a micro-perforated membrane fixed on a part of the vibrating horn in a longitudinal mode, which makes it possible to produce an aerosol with very little dispersion in the diameter of the microdroplets.
• the cavity is fed with liquid from the reservoir by means of a pump operating continuously during the liquid atomization phases by the atomizer.
• the pump has the advantage of cleaning the upper surface of the membrane and preventing the deposition of undesirable particles.
• the pump also operates, punctually or continuously, outside phases atomization of liquid by the atomizer.
• the piezoelectric atomiser vibrates in a longitudinal mode in the range 50 kHz to 200 kHz.
• the horn has a sectional variation between the first portion supporting the piezoelectric element and the second portion coupled to the micro-perforated membrane.
• Such a section variation has the advantage of amplifying the longitudinal ultrasonic waves emitted by the piezoelectric element and makes it possible to have a level of amplitude such that the scale that can be deposited on the micro-perforated membrane is eliminated.
• the micro-perforated membrane is attached to a longitudinal end of the horn.
• the trunk has an axis of revolution and comprises at least two exit holes arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of revolution, the outlet holes communicating with an evacuation chamber connected to the duct. diversion to the reservoir.
• Such an arrangement of the exit holes has the advantage of not disturbing the vibratory mode of the horn and makes it possible to obtain a vibration mode of the horn adapted to obtain the spraying of micro-droplets having a mono median diameter. -dispersed centered in a range that can be between 20 ⁇ and 100 ⁇ .
• the micro-perforated membrane is coupled to one end of a cylindrical body of the horn, the outlet holes being formed on the cylindrical body.
• the micro-perforated membrane is made of electro-formed stainless steel and is covered with a non-stick coating.
• non-stick coating is meant a coating on which a drop of liquid makes a contact angle greater than 90 °.
• the micro-perforated membrane comprises holes having a diameter of less than 40 ⁇ , the holes being distant from each other by more than 400 ⁇ . Such a construction makes it possible to reduce the problem of dripping through the membrane.
• the outlet hole or holes are remote from the micro-perforated membrane with a height h of less than 10 mm and preferably of the order of 2 mm.
• Such a feature makes it possible to eliminate the problems of dripping and to obtain optimized operation of the atomizer during the start and stop phases.
• the outlet hole or holes have a diameter greater than or equal to 2 mm.
• the atomizer comprises a feed chamber communicating on the one hand with the cavity and on the other hand with a water inlet duct connected to the pump, the feed chamber having an air inlet.
• the air inlet orifice comprises a filtration device preventing the intrusion of a foreign body into the feed chamber.
• the cavity is fed with liquid from the reservoir by a feed circuit comprising a water filter and a device for dispensing an antibiotic product, such as colloidal silver.
• a feed circuit comprising a water filter and a device for dispensing an antibiotic product, such as colloidal silver.
• the invention also relates to an iron having a heating soleplate surmounted by a housing enclosing a reservoir and comprising a liquid atomizer as previously described.
• the atomizer is carried by the housing of the iron and moistens a treatment zone located outside the sole.
• the atomizer sprays water with a flow rate of between 6 and 20 g / min and preferably of the order of 9 g / min.
• the atomizer diffuses a mist of micro-droplets whose median mono-dispersed diameter is between 30 ⁇ and 60 ⁇ .
• Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a fog which at the same time does not fly off too much and does not make water stains on the clothes to be ironed.
• the atomizer has a diffusion spectrum adapted to humidify a treatment zone extending along the two edges of a front tip of the sole.
• Such a feature allows, with a single atomizer, to moisten the laundry located on both sides of the front tip of the sole.
• the holes of the micro-perforated membrane are distributed in a V-shape.
• Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a scattering spectrum of the microdroplets conforming to the V shape of the front tip of the sole.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an iron equipped with a liquid atomizer according to a particular embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the ironing apparatus of Figure 1 schematically illustrating the reservoir and the pump for supplying the atomizer;
• FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the atomizer equipping the iron of Figures 1;
• FIG. 4 is a top view of the micro-perforated membrane. Only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention have been represented. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.
• FIG. 1 represents a steam iron 1 comprising, in a manner known per se, a sole 2 in thermal contact with a heating body, not shown in the figures, containing an electric resistance of a power of the order of 1600 W and having a vaporization chamber sized to produce a steam flow of the order of 20 gr / min to be distributed through holes in the sole 2, the temperature of the sole 2 being controlled by a thermostat of which the set temperature can be changed by the user by means of a setting knob 3.
• the sole 2 is surmounted by a plastic casing 4 incorporating a grip handle 40 and comprising a heel 41 on which the iron can stand vertically during the inactive ironing phases, the heel 41 being advantageously equipped with a connector , not visible in the figures, allowing the electrical connection of the iron to a charging base.
• the casing 4 encloses a reservoir 5 of water, schematically represented in dashed lines, and has a tapered front end supporting a spraying device consisting of an ultrasonic liquid atomizer 6 producing micro-droplets, of sizes mainly between 30 ⁇ and 60 ⁇ of diameter, for moistening a spray zone located in front of the front tip of the sole 2.
• the iron 1 also comprises a scraper element 10 extending to the outside the insole 2 heating, at a distance of about 3 mm from the edge of the sole 2, for mechanically penetrating the droplets of liquid inside the laundry to be ironed before the sole 2 heating reaches on the spray area.
• a scraper element 10 is written in more detail in the patent application FR1 158318 filed by the applicant.
• the atomizer 6 comprises a cylindrical envelope 60 hollow plastic comprising a lateral protrusion 61 provided with a bore adapted to receive a fixing screw of the atomizer 6 on the casing 4 of the iron, the casing 60 comprising a receiving chamber 62 in which is disposed a electromechanical aerosol generator 7 operating in the range 50 kHz to 200 kHz.
• the receiving chamber 62 has an open lower end 62A and an opposite end having an opening 62B communicating with a supply chamber 63 located above the receiving chamber 62 when the iron is resting on its sole 2, the chamber supply 63 having an upper end closed by a cover 64 and comprising a lateral orifice 63A forming a vent ensuring an atmospheric pressure of the feed chamber 63, this vent 63A is advantageously equipped with a filter, not shown in the figures, preventing the intrusion of a foreign body into the feed chamber 63.
• the feed chamber 63 receives water from the tank 5 by a feed circuit comprising a water inlet duct 50 passing through the cover 64, the water supply duct 50 being connected to a pump 51, schematically shown on the fi FIG. 2, the operation of which is controlled by means of a push-button 1 placed in front of the handle 40.
• the feed circuit also comprises a water filter and an antibiotic diffuser device, such as colloidal silver, not shown in the figures.
• the aerosol generator 7 comprises a piezoelectric ceramic 8 bonded to a vibratory displacement amplifying tube 9 traversed by a cavity 90 comprising the liquid to be atomized, the cavity 90 extending along an axis of revolution R of the horn 9 and being closed at one end by a micro-perforated membrane 91 of small thickness, between 20 and 200 ⁇ , mechanically and acoustically coupled to the horn 9.
• the piezoelectric ceramic 8 is in a manner known per se electrically powered by means of an electrical supply circuit, not shown in the figures, supplying an alternating current across the terminals of the ceramic piezoelectric 8, the latter being powered electrically only when the push button 1 1 is actuated by the user.
• the trunk 9 has a shoulder 92 on which the piezoelectric ceramic 8 is bonded and comprises a cylindrical body 93 of smaller section at the longitudinal end of which the microperforated membrane 91 is mechanically and acoustically fixed, for example by gluing. brazing, crimping or welding.
• the trunk 9 has a diameter of about 16 mm at the shoulder 92 supporting the piezoelectric ceramic 8 and a diameter of about 8 mm at the height of the cylindrical body 93.
• the micro-perforated membrane 91 has a thickness of 50 ⁇ and comprises a network of holes of diameter less than 40 ⁇ , the holes being spaced from each other by more than 400 ⁇ .
• the micro-perforated membrane 91 is advantageously made of electro-formed nickel or electro-formed stainless steel, preferably coated with gold, to combat the adhesion of limestone.
• the micro-perforated membrane 91 has seventy holes 35 ⁇ m in diameter, preferably distributed in a V-shape as shown in FIG. 4, such a distribution of holes making it possible to obtain, with a single atomizer, a V-shaped micro-droplet diffusion spectrum which is adapted to match the shape of the front tip of the sole 2.
• the cavity 90 has, opposite the micro-perforated membrane 91, an open end communicating with the feed chamber 63 via the opening 62B so that the water present in the feed chamber 63 flows into the cavity 90.
• the flow rate of the pump 51 supplying the cavity 90 is greater than the flow rate of the atomizer 6 during operation, and the horn 9 preferably comprises two exit holes 94 aligned along a horizontal axis and arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of revolution R of the horn 9, each outlet hole 94 opening into an annular discharge chamber 65, surrounding the cylindrical body 93 of the horn 9, which communicates with a bypass duct 66 to the tank 5.
• the atomizer 6 has a water spraying rate of the order of 9 g / min to optimally moisten the clothes to be ironed and the pump 51 supplies water to the chamber of water. supply 63 with a flow rate of the order of 12 gr / min.
• the outlet holes 94 have a diameter greater than or equal to 2 mm to allow a good flow of the excess water sent by the pump 51 to the branch conduit 66, the outlet holes 94 being distant from the micro-perforated membrane 91 with a height h of the order of 2 mm to permanently have a thin film of water covering the micro-perforated membrane 91.
• micro-droplets thus emitted by the atomizer 6 are deposited on the surface of the ironing fabric and then impregnate the fabric being pressed by the wiper element 10 during the advancement of the iron, which causes a humidification and therefore a relaxation of the fibers of the fabric, before the sole 2 hot iron does not come dry the fabric, to obtain a perfect smoothing.
• the push button 1 1 which simultaneously causes the pump 51 and the electrical excitation of the piezoelectric ceramic 8 to be shut off, so that the emission of microparticles droplets is instantly interrupted, without the risk of untimely dripping through the micro-perforated membrane 91 thanks to the low water level maintained above the latter.
• Such an atomizer 6 thus has the advantage of being able to operate continuously until the water in the tank 5 is exhausted, the circulation of the excess water sent by the pump 51 having the advantage of stirring and renewing the water situated above the micro-perforated membrane 91, which makes it possible to evacuate any impurities that may stagnate on the micro-perforated membrane 91 and to improve the cooling of the micro-perforated membrane 91 during use extended atomizer 6.
• Such an atomizer also has the advantage of consuming very little energy and producing micro-droplets of very regular size, which makes it particularly suitable for use on a low-consumption iron and especially on an iron. wireless.
• Such an atomizer comprising a vibrating horn in a longitudinal mode has the advantage of having a diffusion spectrum of the micro-droplets which depends directly on the distribution of the holes on the microperforated membrane. It is thus possible to obtain a V-shaped microdroplet diffusion spectrum which is adapted to match the shape of the front tip of the sole so as to moisten the laundry on the front and sides of the front tip of the sole. without projecting micro-droplets on the iron casing.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the horn may have only one exit hole communicating with the bypass duct.
• the exit holes may have a passage section of non-circular shape and be of smaller size.
• the pump may also operate continuously or episodically, when the piezoelectric ceramic is not electrically powered, that is to say outside the atomization phases of liquid by the atomizer.
• the pump can operate as soon as the iron is electrically connected to the electrical network.
• Such an embodiment variant has the advantage of ensuring a continuous washing of the upper surface of the membrane by the circulation of water.

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• Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=54291557

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Cited By (1)

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Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2015
  • 2015-09-14 FR FR1558571A patent/FR3040897B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2016
  • 2016-09-13 EP EP16777721.8A patent/EP3350367B1/de active Active
  • 2016-09-13 WO PCT/FR2016/052296 patent/WO2017046500A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2016-09-13 CN CN201680051467.6A patent/CN107949672B/zh active Active

Patent Citations (7)

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