JP2003275684A - Ultrasonic generator and ultrasonic beauty instrument using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic generator for suppressing unnecessary parasitic motion to a large extent or not generating the same while keeping an arbitrary acting area, and an ultrasonic beauty instrument utilizing the same. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic generator has an ultrasonic vibrator 1 for generating ultrasonic vibration, a drive circuit 2 for driving the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and a horn 3 having the ultrasonic vibrator 1 joined thereto and radiating ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1 outwardly. The horn 3 is formed into a structure for bringing the ultrasonic vibration on the whole surface of the horn 3 to the same form. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic wave generator for generating vibrational energy in an ultrasonic wave region, and using this ultrasonic wave generator, beauty treatment or massage of a skin surface of a living body or a target portion in a living body. It is an invention relating to an ultrasonic beauty device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultrasonic wave generator has been shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a drive circuit 2 that supplies electric vibration to the ultrasonic vibrator 1, an ultrasonic vibrator 1 that generates ultrasonic vibration that is mechanical vibration upon receiving the electric vibration, and the ultrasonic vibrator 1 And a horn 3 that amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated in 1 and radiates it outside the device. Then, this ultrasonic wave generator is installed inside the tip of the probe 11 having the grip 16 at the base end, and the outside of the bottom 3a of the bottomed cylindrical horn 3 is used as the ultrasonic radiation surface 9. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is directed toward the tip of the probe 11,
Used in ultrasonic beauty devices. In this ultrasonic beauty device, the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of the horn 3 is brought close to the cosmetic treatment portion C such as a living body skin by holding the grip portion 16 of the probe 11, and the horn 3
The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave radiating surface 9 to the cosmetic treatment portion C which is a living body skin. In this example, an ultrasonic wave transmission medium 18 such as a gel is interposed between the cosmetic treatment portion C which is a living body skin and the ultrasonic wave emission surface 9 of the horn 3, and the ultrasonic wave transmission medium 18 is used. The ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of the horn 3 are efficiently transmitted to the cosmetic processing section C.

By the way, the horn 3 shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder bottom surface 3a of the horn 3 to which the ultrasonic transducer 1 is attached is set as the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 mainly emits ultrasonic vibration to the outside of the horn 3. However, in reality, ultrasonic vibration propagates inward and outward in the entire region of the horn 3, and a standing wave due to the ultrasonic vibration is generated and vibrates (FIG. 19). In this way, the ultrasonic vibration propagating to other than the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 sometimes causes unnecessary parasitic vibration (E portion in FIG. 18), and the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 to the outside of the horn 3 is generated. It was a cause of obstructing stable radiation.

FIG. 20 shows the impedance frequency characteristic of the ultrasonic generator. Here, the horizontal axis represents the oscillation frequency of the drive circuit 2, and the vertical axis represents the impedance of the ultrasonic generator. The impedance frequency characteristic of this ultrasonic generator is as shown in FIG.
As shown in, it has a characteristic having a resonance point where the impedance is minimum and an anti-resonance point where the impedance is maximum, but when the above-mentioned unnecessary parasitic vibration occurs,
In addition to the resonance point and the anti-resonance point, the characteristics having the sub-resonance point are provided. In the ultrasonic wave generator that causes this unnecessary parasitic vibration, for example, when the drive circuit 2 is configured by a self-excited oscillation circuit, oscillation may occur at the sub-resonance point in addition to the resonance point. In some cases, the ultrasonic vibration propagated from No. 3 to the skin surface was not stable. This phenomenon occurs because the higher the frequency of electric vibration of the drive circuit 2 supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator 1, the higher the ultrasonic vibrator 1
Since the wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration generated in 1 becomes short, it appears remarkably.

By the way, in recent ultrasonic beauty devices, 1 MH
The mainstream is shifting to instruments that oscillate ultrasonic vibrations exceeding z, and the adverse effects of the above-mentioned unnecessary parasitic vibrations cannot be ignored in such high-frequency ultrasonic beauty devices.

[0006]

However, in order to suppress the generation of unnecessary parasitic vibration, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the width dimension of the horn 3 is reduced (L ₂ <L ₁ ) so that the ultrasonic action is generated. It was considered to reduce the area. According to this, although a certain effect can be obtained to suppress the generation of unnecessary parasitic vibration, it is insufficient, and the range of the treated portion C to which the ultrasonic wave can be applied is narrowed. , Was not applicable to ultrasonic beauty devices.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an ultrasonic generator which does not significantly suppress or generate unnecessary parasitic motion while maintaining an arbitrary working area, and this ultrasonic generator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic beauty device using the.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an ultrasonic generator according to the present invention comprises an ultrasonic vibrator 1 for generating ultrasonic vibration, and a drive circuit for driving the ultrasonic vibrator 1. 2 and a horn 3 that joins the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and radiates the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1 outward, and makes the ultrasonic vibrations on all surfaces of the horn 3 the same. It is characterized by the structure. According to this, since the entire horn 3 vibrates at the same time at the same time, it is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary parasitic motion in the horn 3 and prevent the disturbance of the ultrasonic waveform propagating in the horn 3, and the ultrasonic vibration from the horn 3 is generated. The stable radiation of can be achieved.

It is also preferable that the entire thickness of the horn 3 be uniform. According to this, with a simple structure such that the thickness of the entire surface of the horn 3 is uniform, the occurrence of unnecessary parasitic motion of the horn 3 is suppressed, and the disturbance of the waveform of the standing wave formed in the horn 3 is prevented. Therefore, stable radiation of ultrasonic vibration from the horn 3 can be achieved. That is, the horn 3 is used for stable radiation of ultrasonic vibration.
Since it suffices that the wall thickness is made uniform as a whole, the horn 3 can be formed in any shape and size.

It is also preferable that the thickness of the horn 3 be an integral multiple of a half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. According to this, the standing wave formed in the horn 3 when the ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic vibrator 1 propagates in the horn 3 can be made to match the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration, and therefore the horn It is possible to reduce the loss of the ultrasonic vibration within 3, and to improve the radiation efficiency of the ultrasonic vibration.

Further, the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 which are joined together
It is also preferable that the total wall thickness of and is set to an integral multiple of the half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. According to this, the ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and resonating in the horn 3 forms a standing wave in the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and the horn 3. Therefore, the loss of ultrasonic vibration in the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 can be reduced, and the radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration can be improved.

Further, it is assumed that the drive circuit 2 supplies electric vibration to the ultrasonic vibrator 1, and the ultrasonic vibrator 1 receives the electric vibration to generate ultrasonic vibration which is mechanical vibration. It is also preferable to set the frequency of electric vibration of the drive circuit 2 so that the vibrator 1 vertically vibrates in the thickness direction. According to this, the vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1 can be radiated outward from the horn 3 substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the horn 3, and the radiation efficiency of the ultrasonic vibration can be improved. it can.

It is also preferable that the joint surface between the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 is substantially aligned with the antinode plane A of the standing wave due to ultrasonic vibration. Since the standing wave due to ultrasonic vibration has a property that the stress on the antinode plane A is minimized, when the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 are joined on the antinode plane A as described above, they are joined. It is possible to reduce the risk that the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 are separated.

Further, electrodes 4 and 5 are provided on a joint surface 1a of the ultrasonic transducer 1 with the horn 3 and an open surface 1b opposite to the joint surface 1a, and one of the electrodes is provided on the joint surface 1a. The electrode 4 is provided with a folded-back portion 6 reaching the open surface 1b via the outer peripheral edge 1c of the ultrasonic transducer 1, and the lead wire 7 connected to the drive circuit 2 is provided on the open surface 1b. It is also preferable to connect to the folded-back portion 6 of one of the electrodes 4, respectively. According to this, when the electric field is applied in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic transducer 1 in a state where one end surface in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is joined to the horn 3 as the joining surface 1a, one provided on the joining surface 1a. By providing the electrode 4 with a folded-back portion 6 reaching the open surface 1b via the outer peripheral edge 1c of the ultrasonic transducer 1, and connecting the lead wire 7 to the folded-back portion 6, both electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer 1 are formed. The lead wires 7 can be connected to the wires 4 and 5 only on the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic vibrator 1, that is, the lead wire 7 is not wired on the bonding surface 1a of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 where it is difficult to secure a wiring space. Therefore, the structure of the ultrasonic generator can be simplified.

Further, the horn 3 having conductivity is used as one electrode 4, and the other electrode 5 is provided on the open surface 1b opposite to the bonding surface 1a of the ultrasonic transducer 1 bonded to this horn 3,
It is also preferable that the lead wire 7 connected to the drive circuit 2 is connected to each of the electrodes 4 and 5. According to this, when an electric field is applied in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 in a state where one end face in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is bonded to the horn 3 as the bonding surface 1a, conductivity is applied to the horn 3 itself. Since the electrode 4 is provided, the connection of the lead wire 7 to the ultrasonic transducer 1 is limited to the electrode 5 on the open surface 1b, and it is difficult to secure a wiring space on the bonding surface 1a of the ultrasonic transducer 1. The lead wire 7 need not be wired, and the structure of the ultrasonic wave generator can be simplified.

It is also preferable that the connection between the lead wire 7 and the electrodes 4 and 5 provided on the ultrasonic oscillator 1 is located near the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic oscillator 1. According to this, the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is a portion that does not vibrate as compared with the central portion, and the lead wire 7 and the electrodes 4 provided on the ultrasonic transducer 1 near the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer 1. The connection with the lead wire 7 and the electrode 4 due to the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 1
It is possible to reduce the influence on the connection portion with 5, and to improve the connection between the lead wire 7 and the electrodes 4 and 5, and consequently the durability strength of the ultrasonic generator.

It is also preferable to provide a support member 8 for pressing and fixing the ultrasonic transducer 1 toward the horn 3. According to this, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1 can be concentrated and acted on the horn 3 side, and the efficiency of the ultrasonic generator can be improved.

Further, the horn 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and an ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 which is a portion for radiating ultrasonic vibration is provided on the cylinder bottom surface of the horn 3, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is formed in a flat plate shape. It is also preferable that According to this, since the opening edge portion of the bottomed tubular horn 3 has a shape that can be easily held by a housing or the like, the ultrasonic generator can be easily incorporated in various devices, and the bottom surface 3a of the horn 3 can be easily incorporated. The position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is easy to see and the usability of the ultrasonic wave generating device can be improved. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is flat, it is emitted to the outside of the horn 3. The uniformity of sound wave vibration can be improved.

The ultrasonic oscillator 1 is joined to the bottom surface 3a of the horn 3, and the vibration center B of the ultrasonic oscillator 1 and the center position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of the horn 3 are substantially aligned with each other. Is also preferable. According to this, the vibration center B, which is the maximum vibration point of the ultrasonic transducer 1, can be located at the center position of the ultrasonic radiation surface 9 of the horn 3, and the ultrasonic vibration can be efficiently emitted from the horn 3. it can.

Further, in the space inside the cylinder of the bottomed cylindrical horn 3,
It is also preferable that the sound absorber 10 having an acoustic impedance different from that of the material of the horn 3 and the ultrasonic transducer 1 is filled. According to this, the directivity of the ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic transducer 1 can be regulated, that is, the propagation of the ultrasonic vibration in an unnecessary direction can be extinguished by the sound absorbing body 10, and the ultrasonic generator The function of can be improved.

It is also preferable that the sound absorber 10 is made of rubber. According to this, the cost of the ultrasonic wave generation device can be reduced by using rubber for the sound absorber 10 that is easy to obtain, form and process and is inexpensive.

It is also preferable that the horn 3 is made of light metal or light alloy. According to this, the strength of the horn 3 with respect to an external force load can be improved, and thus the strength of the ultrasonic generator can be improved.

It is also preferable that the outer surface of the horn 3 made of light metal or light alloy is subjected to a glossy surface treatment.
According to this, it is possible to improve the appearance of the horn 3, and by extension, the ultrasonic generator.

It is also preferable that the ultrasonic wave generator is provided with the above-mentioned ultrasonic wave generator at the tip portion of the probe 11. According to this, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic beauty device in which stable generation of ultrasonic vibration is ensured.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic wave generator includes a drive circuit 2 for supplying electric vibrations to an ultrasonic vibrator 1 and ultrasonic waves for receiving the electric vibrations and generating ultrasonic vibrations which are mechanical vibrations. The vibrator 1 and the horn 3 that joins the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and radiates the ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic vibrator 1 to the outside (refer to FIG. 1A).
Then, the ultrasonic beauty device using the ultrasonic generator is shown). The ultrasonic oscillator 1 is formed into a disk shape by incorporating a piezoelectric element or a magnetostrictive element between conductive metal sheets having a function as electrodes, and the drive circuit 2 causes the electrodes 4 and 5 of the ultrasonic oscillator 1 to electrically vibrate. It is composed of an electric circuit for supplying. Then, the ultrasonic vibrator 1 converts the electric vibrations supplied from the driving circuit 2 into mechanical vibrations by using the piezoelectric element or the magnetostrictive element as a driving source to generate ultrasonic vibrations. Further, the horn 3 is formed in the shape of a cap with a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the ultrasonic transducer 1 is attached and bonded inside the cylindrical bottom surface 3a, and the outside of the cylindrical bottom surface 3a serves as the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9. Here, the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is a portion for emitting ultrasonic vibration from the horn 3 toward the target. As shown in FIG. 2, the horn 3 resonates with the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1, amplifies the ultrasonic vibration, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 causes the horn 3 to move.
Ultrasonic vibration is radiated outward. That is, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2A, the horn 3 is generated by the ultrasonic transducer 1.
When the ultrasonic vibration resonating with is longitudinally vibrated in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic vibrator 1, microscopically, the ultrasonic vibrator and the horn contract as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic transducer and the horn expand as in c). Further, in the drawings, the amplitude of the vibration is shown by converting the original longitudinal wave into the transverse wave for convenience, and the propagation direction of the vibration is shown by the direction of the arrow.

The ultrasonic wave generator of this example having the above-mentioned structure is characterized by the shape of the horn 3. That is, the thickness of the entire surface of the horn 3 is made uniform [Fig. 1
(C) Medium T]. The ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1 propagates in the horn 3 in the thickness direction and is radiated to the outside of the horn 3. At this time, a standing wave is generated in the horn 3. When the wall thickness of the entire surface of the horn 3 is made uniform as described above,
As shown in FIG. 4, the waveform of the standing wave formed in the horn 3 can be made constant over the entire surface of the horn 3. That is, the horn 3 having a uniform thickness on the entire surface suppresses the generation of unnecessary parasitic movement in the horn 3, and the disturbance of the waveform of the standing wave formed in the horn 3 is eliminated.
Stable radiation of ultrasonic vibrations is achieved from the ultrasonic radiation surface 9 of the horn 3. As described above, in order to achieve stable radiation of ultrasonic vibrations, it is sufficient to make the thickness of the entire surface of the horn 3 uniform. Therefore, the horn 3 can be formed in any shape and size. For example, horn 3
By forming the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of (1) to be large, an ultrasonic wave generating device capable of stably emitting ultrasonic vibration in a wide range is obtained.

As described above, in the ultrasonic wave generator of the present embodiment, since the thickness of the entire horn 3 is made uniform and the generation of unnecessary parasitic movement of the horn 3 is suppressed, the impedance frequency characteristic of the ultrasonic wave generator is It becomes like FIG. That is, a sub-resonance point due to unnecessary parasitic movement of the horn 3 does not occur between the resonance point where the impedance of the impedance frequency characteristic of the ultrasonic wave generator is the minimum and the anti-resonance point where the impedance is the maximum. is there. Therefore, even when the drive circuit 2 is configured by a self-excited oscillation circuit, the drive circuit 2 does not oscillate at the sub-resonance point, which is a conventional problem, and the drive circuit 2 is stabilized. That is, the stability of ultrasonic vibrations emitted from the horn 3 can be improved.

In the ultrasonic generator of this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the uniform thickness of the entire horn 3 is formed so as to be an integral multiple of a half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. By doing so, the standing wave formed in the horn 3 can be made to match the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration, the loss of the ultrasonic vibration in the horn 3 can be reduced, and the radiation efficiency of the ultrasonic vibration can be reduced. Is being improved.

In addition, the ultrasonic wave generator of this embodiment is also characterized by the structure of the joint portion between the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and the horn 3. That is, the total thickness of the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 joined to the horn 3 is an integral multiple of a half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration (FIG. 4). At the portion where the horn 3 and the ultrasonic transducer 1 are laminated and joined, a continuous standing wave is generated not only inside the horn 3 but also in the ultrasonic transducer 1. The total thickness of the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the ultrasonic transducer 1 is set to be an integral multiple of a half wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration.
The standing wave formed in the horn 3 and the horn 3 can match the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration.
The radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration is improved by reducing the loss of ultrasonic vibration in the inside. In FIG. 4, as an example, the case where the total thickness of the horn 3 and the ultrasonic transducer 1 is 1 and 5 times the half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration is shown. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is preferable that the joint surface 1a between the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 is substantially aligned with the antinode plane A of the standing wave due to ultrasonic vibration. The abdomen of the standing wave (FIG. 6) is the site where the stress is minimal. By joining the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 on the belly plane A, it is possible to reduce the risk that the joined ultrasonic transducer 1 and the horn 3 are separated from each other, and to improve the durability of the ultrasonic generator. It is possible to improve.

When the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and the horn 3 are joined together, the vibration center B of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and the horn 3 are joined together.
The center position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of is substantially matched.
As a result, the vibration center B, which is the maximum vibration point of the ultrasonic transducer 1, is located at the center position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of the horn 3,
The radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration is improved.

Further, the ultrasonic wave generator of this embodiment is also characterized by the electrodes 4 and 5 provided on the ultrasonic vibrator 1. 7 to 9 show examples of the electrodes 4 and 5 of the ultrasonic transducer 1. The electrodes 4 and 5 of the ultrasonic transducer 1 for connecting the lead wire 7 connected to the drive circuit 2 are provided on both end faces in the thickness direction of the disc-shaped ultrasonic transducer 1. Here, one of the both end faces in the thickness direction is the horn 3
The surface of the ultrasonic transducer 1 on the opposite side of the joint surface 1a is referred to as an open surface 1b. Bonding surface 1
The outer peripheral edge 1 of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is attached to the one electrode 4 located at a.
The folded-back portion 6 is provided so as to reach the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic transducer 1 via c, while the notch 12 for preventing the folded-back portion 6 from contacting the other electrode 5 on the open surface 1b. Has been formed. In the example of FIG. 7, the folded portion 6 extends from a part of the outer peripheral edge of the one electrode 4, and the notch 12 is formed in a part of the outer peripheral edge of the other electrode 5. Further, in the example of FIG. 8, the folded-back portion 6 extends from four positions which are shifted by 90 ° from the outer peripheral edge of the one electrode 4, and the cutout portion 12 has the above-described outer peripheral edge of the other electrode 5. It is formed at four positions corresponding to the folded-back portion 6. In addition, in the example of FIG. 9, the folded-back portion 6 extends from the entire outer peripheral edge of the one electrode 4, and the cutout portion 12 reduces the outer diameter of the other electrode 5 to the entire outer peripheral edge. It is formed over.

The tip portion of the folded portion 6 described above is located on the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic transducer 1 together with the other electrode 5, and the tip portion of the folded portion 6 and the other electrode 5 are respectively driven. The lead wire 7 extending from the circuit 2 is connected. That is, although the lead wire 7 is connected to both electrodes 4 and 5 on the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic vibrator 1, an electric field can be applied in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic vibrator 1. In this way, since the lead wires 7 are connected to both electrodes 4 and 5 of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 only at the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic vibrator 1, it is difficult to secure a wiring space. The structure does not require wiring of the lead wire 7 on the joint surface 1a, which simplifies the structure of the ultrasonic wave generator. In addition, in the ultrasonic transducer 1 of the examples of FIGS.
Since the center of the disk constitutes the vibration center B which is the maximum vibration point, there is also an advantage that the vibration center B of the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the center position of the ultrasonic radiation surface 9 of the horn 3 can be easily matched.

10 and 11 show another example of the electrodes 4 and 5 of the ultrasonic transducer 1. In this example, the contact portion between the horn 3 and the ultrasonic oscillator 1 is only the joint surface 1a of the ultrasonic oscillator 1, the horn 3 is provided with conductivity, and the lead wire 7 is connected to the horn 3. One electrode 4
This is an example of using as. The open surface 1b of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is provided with the other electrode 5,
The lead wire 7 is also connected to the other electrode 5. The horn 3 serving as one of the electrodes 4 is a joint surface 1 a of the ultrasonic transducer 1.
Since the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is provided with the other electrode 5 as described above, an electric field can be applied in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic vibrator 1. Even in this example, it is possible to provide a structure in which the lead wire 7 does not have to be provided on the joint surface 1a of the ultrasonic transducer 1 in which it is difficult to secure a wiring space, and the structure of the ultrasonic generator can be simplified. In FIG. 10, the horn 3 of the lead wire 7 is shown.
Fig. 1 shows that the connection to the
Reference numeral 1 shows a lead wire 7 connected to the horn 3 through a connecting tool 17 to enhance the assembling property and the connection strength. In the case where the horn 3 functions as the one electrode 4 and the open surface 1b of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is provided with the other electrode 5 as in the examples of FIGS. Since the disk center of the child 1 constitutes the vibration center B which is the maximum vibration point, there is also an advantage that the vibration center B of the ultrasonic transducer 1 and the center position of the ultrasonic radiation surface 9 of the horn 3 can be easily matched. ing.

In the connection between the electrodes 4 and 5 and the lead wire 7 provided in the ultrasonic vibrator 1 described above, the connecting portion between the electrodes 4 and 5 and the lead wire 7 is the ultrasonic vibrator 1. It is preferable to be located in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion. This is because the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is a portion where the vibration is less than the central portion, so that the lead wire 7 due to the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used.
Since it is possible to reduce the influence on the connection portion between the electrodes 4 and 5, the durability strength of the connection between the lead wire 7 and the electrodes 4 and 5 can be improved.

The ultrasonic generator of this example is also characterized by the structure of joining the ultrasonic vibrator 1 to the horn 3. In FIG. 12, a support member 8 is installed between a portion of the horn 3 that faces the inside of the bottom surface 3 a of the horn and the inside of the bottom surface 3 a of the horn 3, and the ultrasonic transducer 1 faces the inside of the bottom surface 3 a of the horn 3. An example of being pressed and fixed is shown. Since the ultrasonic oscillator 1 is pressed and fixed to the horn 3 in this way, the ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic oscillator 1 can be concentrated and acted on the horn 3 side, and the efficiency of the ultrasonic generator is improved. Is being improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also preferable to fill the in-cylinder space of the bottomed cylindrical horn 3 with a sound absorber 10 having an acoustic impedance different from the material of the horn 3 and the ultrasonic transducer 1. . Here, the in-cylinder space is a space surrounded by a cylinder bottom surface 3a and a cylinder side surface 3b rising from an outer end portion of the cylinder bottom surface 3a. According to this, since the sound absorbing body 10 can regulate the directivity of the ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic transducer 1, that is, the sound absorbing body 10 can eliminate the propagation of the ultrasonic vibration in an unnecessary direction. The function of the ultrasonic generator can be improved. The sound absorbing body 10 is preferably made of rubber. Rubber is easy to obtain, is easy to form and process, and is inexpensive, so that the cost of the ultrasonic generator can be reduced.

Although the horn 3 of the ultrasonic wave generator of this example is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, this makes it easier to hold the opening edge portion of the horn 3 with a housing or the like. The sound wave generator can be easily attached to various devices. In addition, the bottom surface 3 of the bottomed cylindrical horn 3
a The outer surface of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is made flat, but this makes it easier to visually recognize the position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 and improves the usability of the ultrasonic wave generator. The uniformity of the ultrasonic vibrations radiated from the ultrasonic wave radiating surface 9 is enhanced, so that the stable ultrasonic vibrations are radiated. Here, the horn 3 is
It is composed of a light metal or a light alloy such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or a titanium alloy, and is formed by subjecting its outer surface to a glossy surface treatment. According to this, the strength of the horn 3 against the load of the external force, and hence the strength of the ultrasonic wave generator, is improved, and the rust prevention effect is also improved. Further, the outer surface of the horn 3 is subjected to a glossy surface treatment, so that the appearance of the horn 3, and thus the ultrasonic generator, is improved. Here, the rust prevention effect can also be improved by performing this glossy surface treatment by plating treatment such as chrome plating. In the figure, numeral 15 is a glossy surface treatment layer.

The ultrasonic wave generator having such a structure is used in an ultrasonic beauty device as shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 14 and 15, for example. The ultrasonic beauty device utilizes the vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic generator to generate a cosmetic treatment portion C on the surface of the living body skin or inside the living body (see FIG. 17).
It is a device for performing beauty treatment and massage, and is configured to have a probe 11 having an ultrasonic wave generation device attached to its tip. More specifically, the housing 1 of the probe 11
1a is provided with a mounting opening 13, the horn 3 of the ultrasonic generator is inserted into the mounting opening 13, and the mounting opening 13 holds the opening edge portion of the horn 3 from the outside.
The ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is projected into the mounting opening 13 of the horn 3
Are arranged. In the probe 11 of this example, an elastic proof 14 is attached to the attachment opening 13 of the housing 11a, and this elastic material 14 prevents the vibration of the horn 3 from propagating to the gripping portion 16 of the probe 11 and the probe 11 and the horn. It is intended that the fixing to the 3 has a close contact property. This ultrasonic beauty device has a gripping portion 16 provided at a base end portion of a probe 11 to bring an ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 of a horn 3 of an ultrasonic wave generating device close to a treatment target portion C, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 The ultrasonic vibration radiated from the cosmetic processing part C
The ultrasonic beauty device is improved in usability because the position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface 9 is visually recognizable as described above.

Here, in the ultrasonic generator used in the ultrasonic beauty device, ultrasonic vibrations are radiated from the ultrasonic radiation surface 9 substantially vertically to efficiently transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the treatment target portion C. In order to do so, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is set so as to perform longitudinal vibration in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic vibrator 1 and the horn 3. Here, the ultrasonic vibrator 1 has individual impedance frequency characteristics depending on the shape, size, and structure of the ultrasonic vibrator 1. By changing the frequency of electric vibration of the drive circuit 2, the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is Various vibrations such as longitudinal vibration, lateral vibration, and torsional vibration are performed, and various ultrasonic vibrations are generated by this (FIG. 16). Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 1
In order to set the frequency of the electric vibration of the drive circuit 2 so that the vibrator vibrates longitudinally in the thickness direction, the ultrasonic vibrator 1
The frequency of the electric vibration of the drive circuit 2 for causing the longitudinal vibration is experimentally investigated, and the frequency of the electric vibration suitable for the ultrasonic vibrator 1 to make the longitudinal vibration in the thickness direction is determined. The drive circuit 2 is set so as to be supplied to (D portion in the figure). By doing so, a high-frequency, high-power ultrasonic beauty device can be obtained.

[0041]

As described above, in the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, an ultrasonic vibrator for generating ultrasonic vibration,
The ultrasonic transducer includes a drive circuit for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and a horn that joins the ultrasonic transducer and radiates outward the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer. Since the vibrations have the same structure, it is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary parasitic motion in the horn, prevent the disturbance of the ultrasonic waveform propagating in the horn, and achieve stable radiation of ultrasonic vibrations from the horn. it can.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, since the thickness of the entire surface of the horn is made uniform, the thickness of the entire surface of the horn is made uniform. , It is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary parasitic motion of the horn, eliminate the disturbance of the waveform of the standing wave formed in the horn, and achieve stable radiation of ultrasonic vibrations from the horn.
That is, in order to achieve stable radiation of ultrasonic vibration, it is sufficient to make the wall thickness uniform throughout the horn. Therefore, the shape and size of the horn can be arbitrary, and the degree of freedom in forming the horn can be improved. You can do it.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 2, since the wall thickness of the horn is set to an integral multiple of a half wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration, the ultrasonic vibration is generated in the horn. The standing wave formed in the horn when propagating can be made to match the frequency of ultrasonic vibration, and therefore the loss of ultrasonic vibration in the horn can be reduced and the radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration can be improved. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of any one of claims 1 to 3, the total thickness of the bonded ultrasonic transducer and the horn is defined as a half wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration. Since it is an integral multiple of, a standing wave due to ultrasonic vibration is formed in the overlapping ultrasonic vibrator and horn, but the total thickness of the bonded ultrasonic vibrator and horn is the half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. By making it an integral multiple, the standing wave can be made to match the frequency of ultrasonic vibration, therefore, the loss of ultrasonic vibration in the ultrasonic vibrator and horn can be reduced, and the radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration can be reduced. Can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the drive circuit supplies electric vibration to the ultrasonic vibrator, and the ultrasonic vibrator generates the electric vibration. The ultrasonic vibration, which is a mechanical vibration, is received and the frequency of the electric vibration of the drive circuit is set so that the ultrasonic vibrator vertically vibrates in its thickness direction. Radiation can be performed from the outer surface in a substantially vertical direction, and the radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration can be improved.

In addition to the effect of the first aspect, the joint surface between the ultrasonic transducer and the horn is substantially coincident with the antinode plane of the standing wave due to the ultrasonic vibration. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer and the horn are bonded to each other on an antinode plane which has a property that the stress in the standing wave due to the ultrasonic vibration is minimized. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer and the horn may be separated from each other. Can be reduced and the durability strength of the device can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 1, electrodes are respectively provided on the joint surface of the ultrasonic transducer with the horn and on the open surface opposite to the joint surface. And a folded-back portion reaching the open surface via the outer peripheral edge of the ultrasonic transducer on one electrode provided on the joint surface,
Since the lead wire connected to the drive circuit is connected to the other electrode provided on the open surface and the folded portion of the one electrode, the lead wire is connected to both electrodes of the ultrasonic vibrator. Can be performed only on the open surface, that is, it is not necessary to wire a lead wire to the bonding surface of the ultrasonic transducer where it is difficult to secure a wiring space, and the structure of the ultrasonic generator can be simplified.

In addition to the effect of claim 1, in the invention of claim 8, a horn having conductivity is used as one electrode, and a bonding surface of the ultrasonic transducer bonded to this horn is used. Since the other electrode is provided on the open surface on the opposite side and the lead wire connected to the drive circuit is connected to each of the above electrodes, it is difficult to secure a wiring space. Therefore, the structure of the ultrasonic generator can be simplified.

Further, in the invention described in claim 9, in addition to the effect of claim 7 or 8, the connecting portion between the lead wire and the electrode provided on the ultrasonic vibrator is provided at the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic vibrator. Since the ultrasonic transducer is located in the vicinity, that is, the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer is a portion that does not vibrate as compared with the central portion, and the lead wire and the electrode provided on the ultrasonic transducer are disposed near the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer. Since the connection is made, the influence of the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer on the connection between the lead wire and the electrode can be reduced, and the connection between the lead wire and the electrode, and by extension, the durability strength of the ultrasonic generator can be improved. it can.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention,
In addition to the effect of claim 1, since the supporting member for pressing and fixing the ultrasonic vibrator toward the horn is provided, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator can be concentrated and acted on the horn side. The efficiency of the ultrasonic generator can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 11,
In addition to the effect of claim 1, the horn is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and an ultrasonic wave emitting surface, which is an ultrasonic vibration radiating portion, is provided on the cylindrical bottom surface of the horn, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is formed in a flat plate shape. Therefore, since the opening edge of the bottomed cylindrical horn is shaped to be easily held by the housing, etc., the ultrasonic generator can be easily installed in various equipment, and the ultrasonic radiation on the bottom of the horn cylinder The surface is visually recognizable and the usability of the ultrasonic generator can be improved. Furthermore, since this ultrasonic wave emitting surface is flat, the uniformity of ultrasonic vibrations emitted outside the horn is improved. It is possible.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention,
In addition to the effect of claim 11, since the ultrasonic vibrator is joined to the bottom surface of the cylinder of the horn and the vibration center of the ultrasonic vibrator and the center position of the ultrasonic radiation surface of the horn are substantially aligned, The vibration center, which is the maximum vibration point of the vibrator, can be located at the center position of the ultrasonic radiation surface of the horn, and the radiation efficiency of ultrasonic vibration can be improved.

Further, in the invention of claim 13,
In addition to the effect of claim 11, since the sound absorbing body having an acoustic impedance different from that of the material of the horn and the ultrasonic vibrator is filled in the in-cylinder space of the bottomed cylindrical horn, the ultrasonic vibrator generates the sound. The directivity of the ultrasonic vibration can be regulated, that is, the propagation of the ultrasonic vibration in an unnecessary direction can be extinguished by the sound absorber, and the function of the ultrasonic generator can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 14,
In addition to the effect of claim 13, since the sound absorbing body is made of rubber, it is possible to use rubber that is easy to obtain, form and process and is inexpensive, as the sound absorbing body, and to reduce the cost of the ultrasonic generator. Can be planned.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention,
In addition to the effect of claim 1, since the horn is made of a light metal or a light alloy, the strength of the horn against an external force load can be improved, and thus the strength of the ultrasonic generator can be improved.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention,
In addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, since the outer surface of the horn made of light metal or light alloy is subjected to the glossy surface treatment, it is possible to improve the appearance of the horn, and thus the ultrasonic generator.

Further, in the invention of claim 17,
An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device comprising a probe having the ultrasonic wave generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 at a tip portion thereof, the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device ensuring stable generation of ultrasonic vibrations. By using, it is possible to obtain an ultrasonic beauty device in which ultrasonic vibration is stably generated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a)
[Fig. 3] is a schematic side view of the ultrasonic beauty device, (b) is a top view of the ultrasonic generator, and (c) is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic generator.

2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic generator, wherein FIG. 2A is a partial side sectional view of a joint surface portion between the ultrasonic vibrator and the horn, and FIG. It is an explanatory view showing a state in which the sonic oscillator and the horn are contracted,
(C) is an explanatory view showing a state where the ultrasonic transducer and the horn are expanded.

3A and 3B are explanatory views of a standing wave generated in the horn of the above, wherein FIG. 3A is a top view and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a standing wave generated in the horn and the ultrasonic transducer of the above, (a) is a top view,
(B) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a state in which the joint surface between the horn and the ultrasonic transducer in the same as above is aligned with the antinode plane of the standing wave;
(A) is a partial side sectional view, and (b) is an explanatory view for explaining a standing wave.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing an impedance frequency characteristic of the ultrasonic generator of the above.

7A and 7B show examples of the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein FIG. 7A is a top view and FIG. 7B is a side sectional view.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a side sectional view.

10A and 10B show another example of the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein FIG. 10A is a top view and FIG. 10B is a side sectional view.

11A and 11B show another example of the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein FIG. 11A is a top view and FIG. 11B is a side sectional view.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a bonding structure of the ultrasonic transducer to a horn, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a top view.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing an example of a bonding structure of the ultrasonic transducer to the horn of the above.

14A and 14B show an ultrasonic beauty device using the same ultrasonic generator, wherein FIG. 14A is a side sectional view of the probe, and FIG. 14B is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic generator attached to the probe. It is a figure.

15A and 15B show an ultrasonic beauty device using the same ultrasonic generator, wherein FIG. 15A is a side sectional view of the probe, and FIG. 15B is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic generator attached to the probe. It is a figure.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing an example of impedance frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic generator of the above.

FIG. 17 shows a conventional ultrasonic beauty device,
(A) is a schematic side view and (b) is a side sectional view of the probe.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining unnecessary parasitic vibrations of the ultrasonic wave generating device of the same as above, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic generator of the above.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing impedance frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic wave generating device of the above.

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of an ultrasonic wave generator of another example of the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Ultrasonic transducer 1a Bonding surface 1b open surface 2 drive circuit 3 horns 4 electrodes 5 electrodes 9 Ultrasonic radiation surface 11 probes

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takafumi Ooba             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Masayuki Hayashi             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Seiji Kaneko             6-27-25 Oizumi Gakuencho, Nerima-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 4C074 AA03 AA04 AA05 BB01 BB05                       CC03 DD05 EE02 GG01 HH09                 5D107 AA16 BB11 CC01 CC07 CC12                       DD11 DE02 FF01 FF03

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibration,
The ultrasonic transducer includes a drive circuit for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and a horn that joins the ultrasonic transducer and radiates outward the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic wave generator having a structure in which vibrations have the same form. 2. The ultrasonic wave generator according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the entire surface of the horn is uniform. 3. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the horn is an integral multiple of a half wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. 4. The ultrasonic wave generator according to claim 1, wherein the total thickness of the bonded ultrasonic vibrator and the horn is set to an integral multiple of a half wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration. 5. The drive circuit supplies electric vibrations to the ultrasonic vibrator, and the ultrasonic vibrator receives the electric vibrations to generate ultrasonic vibrations which are mechanical vibrations. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of electric vibration of the drive circuit is set so as to vertically vibrate in the thickness direction. 6. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, wherein a joint surface between the ultrasonic transducer and the horn is made to substantially coincide with an antinode plane of a standing wave generated by the ultrasonic vibration. 7. An ultrasonic transducer is provided with electrodes on a joint surface with a horn and an open surface opposite to the joint surface, and one electrode provided on the joint surface has an outer peripheral edge of the ultrasonic transducer. And a lead wire connected to the drive circuit is connected to the other electrode provided on the open surface and the folded portion of the one electrode, respectively. Item 2. The ultrasonic generator according to item 1. 8. A conductive horn is used as one electrode, the other electrode is provided on the open surface opposite to the bonding surface of the ultrasonic transducer bonded to this horn, and a lead wire connected to a drive circuit is provided. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic generator is connected to each of the electrodes. 9. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 7, wherein a connecting portion between the lead wire and an electrode provided on the ultrasonic transducer is located near an outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer. . 10. The ultrasonic wave generator according to claim 1, further comprising a support member for pressing and fixing the ultrasonic vibrator toward the horn. 11. The horn is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, an ultrasonic wave emitting surface, which is an ultrasonic vibration radiating portion, is provided on the cylindrical bottom surface of the horn, and the ultrasonic wave emitting surface is formed in a flat plate shape. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 1. 12. The ultrasonic transducer is bonded to the bottom surface of the horn, and the vibration center of the ultrasonic transducer and the center position of the ultrasonic radiation surface of the horn are substantially aligned with each other. The ultrasonic generator according to. 13. A sound absorbing body having an acoustic impedance different from that of the material of the horn and the ultrasonic transducer is filled in the in-cylinder space of the bottomed cylindrical horn.
The ultrasonic generator according to 1. 14. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 13, wherein the sound absorber is made of rubber. 15. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, wherein the horn is made of a light metal or a light alloy. 16. The ultrasonic generator according to claim 15, wherein the horn made of a light metal or a light alloy is subjected to a glossy surface treatment on its outer surface. 17. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device comprising a probe having the ultrasonic wave generating device according to claim 1 at a tip portion thereof.