U.S. patent application number 11/794361 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for mist ejecting toy and mist generating unit.
Invention is credited to Hitoshi Itakura, Hiroshi Shinohara, Tomohisa Ueno, Kimitaka Watanabe, Yosuke Yoneda.
Application Number | 20080085657 11/794361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032074 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080085657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe; Kimitaka ; et
al. |
April 10, 2008 |
Mist Ejecting Toy And Mist Generating Unit
Abstract
A mist ejecting-toy includes: a liquid-retaining member fixed to
a toy body; a jet cylinder provided in the toy body; an ultrasound
generating element having a vibrating plate fixed to a
piezoelectric vibrator; and a controller to drive and control the
ultrasound generating element, wherein a vibrating section of the
vibrating plate is abutted against the liquid retaining member, the
controller vibrates the vibrating section to generate mist
particles, the mist particles are ejected from the jet cylinder,
and the vibrating plate is placed at a position where a liquid drop
produced by adhesion of the mist particles to the jet cylinder does
not fall onto the vibrating section, so that the mist particles can
be generated and ejected effectively.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Kimitaka; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Itakura; Hitoshi; (Chiba, JP) ;
Shinohara; Hiroshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Yoneda; Yosuke;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Ueno; Tomohisa; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
36032074 |
Appl. No.: |
11/794361 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
December 27, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP05/23860 |
371 Date: |
June 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/475 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 17/26 20130101;
A63H 19/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/475 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/30 20060101
A63H033/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 2004 |
JP |
2004-379080 |
Claims
1. A mist ejecting toy comprising: a liquid retaining member fixed
to a toy body; a jet cylinder provided in the toy body; an
ultrasound generating element having a vibrating plate fixed to a
piezoelectric vibrator; and a controller to drive and control the
ultrasound generating element, wherein a vibrating section of the
vibrating plate is abutted against the liquid retaining member, the
controller vibrates the vibrating section to generate mist
particles, the mist particles are ejected from the jet cylinder,
and the vibrating plate is placed at a position where a liquid drop
produced by adhesion of the mist particles to the jet cylinder does
not fall onto the vibrating section.
2. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 1, wherein when a
silhouette of an introducing port of the jet cylinder standing on
the toy body projected directly below is conceived, the vibrating
plate is disposed away from the silhouette.
3. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 1, wherein the
vibrating plate is disposed in such a direction that the vibrating
plate can introduce the mist particles generated in the vibrating
section into an introducing port of the jet cylinder from a
diagonally lower location.
4. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 1, wherein illuminating
means to illuminate the mist particles is disposed in the toy
body.
5. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 1, wherein illuminating
means to illuminate the ejected mist particles from inside of the
jet cylinder is disposed in the toy body.
6. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 4, wherein the toy body
is provided with a speaker to output a voice, and the controller
controls the illuminating means and the speaker so that the
illuminating means illuminates the mist particles and the speaker
outputs a voice or changes a voice in association with ejection of
the mist particles.
7. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 1, further comprising a
movable member on which the ultrasound generating element is
mounted, wherein the movable member is operated by gravity acting
on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
and the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the
liquid retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base
frame, and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
8. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 7, wherein the movable
member is mounted on the base frame through a hinge.
9. A mist generating unit comprising a base frame on which a liquid
retaining member is mounted and which is mountable on a toy body,
and a movable member on which an ultrasound generating element
constituted by fixing a vibrating plate to one of two end surfaces
of the piezoelectric vibrator having electrodes on the two end
surfaces is mounted, and which relatively moves with respect to the
base frame to bring a vibrating section of the vibrating plate into
abutment against the liquid retaining member.
10. The mist generating unit according to claim 9, further
comprising a spring, wherein the vibrating section of the vibrating
plate is brought into abutment against the liquid retaining member
by a force of the spring acting on the movable member.
11. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 2, wherein the
vibrating plate is disposed in such a direction that the vibrating
plate can introduce the mist particles generated in the vibrating
section into an introducing port of the jet cylinder from a
diagonally lower location.
12. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 2, wherein
illuminating means to illuminate the mist particles is disposed in
the toy body.
13. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 3, wherein
illuminating means to illuminate the mist particles is disposed in
the toy body.
14. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 2, wherein
illuminating means to illuminate the ejected mist particles from
inside of the jet cylinder is disposed in the toy body.
15. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 3, wherein
illuminating means to illuminate the ejected mist particles from
inside of the jet cylinder is disposed in the toy body.
16. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 5, wherein the toy
body is provided with a speaker to output a voice, and the
controller controls the illuminating means and the speaker so that
the illuminating means illuminates the mist particles and the
speaker outputs a voice or changes a voice in association with
ejection of the mist particles.
17. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 2, further comprising
a movable member on which the ultrasound generating element is
mounted, wherein the movable member is operated by gravity acting
on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
and the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the
liquid retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base
frame, and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
18. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 3, further comprising
a movable member on which the ultrasound generating element is
mounted, wherein the movable member is operated by gravity acting
on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
and the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the
liquid retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base
frame, and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
19. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 4, further comprising
a movable member on which the ultrasound generating element is
mounted, wherein the movable member is operated by gravity acting
on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
and the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the
liquid retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base
frame, and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
20. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 5, further comprising
a movable member on which the ultrasound generating element is
mounted, wherein the movable member is operated by gravity acting
on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
and the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the
liquid retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base
frame, and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
21. The mist ejecting toy according to claim 6, further comprising
a movable member on which the ultrasound generating element is
mounted, wherein the movable member is operated by gravity acting
on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
and the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the
liquid retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base
frame, and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a mist ejecting toy and a
mist generating unit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There is known a smoking toy in which a plate-like
piezoelectric ceramic is formed with electrodes opposed to each
other with the plate-like piezoelectric ceramic interposed
therebetween. The smoking toy has a piezoelectric vibrator having
an atomizing application surface on which one of the electrodes is
formed, and a porous or mesh thin plate which is at least partially
opposed to the atomizing application surface with a fine gap
interposed therebetween. Liquid is supplied to the fine gap between
the atomizing application surface and the porous or mesh thin plate
is atomized by a ultrasound atomizer which atomize liquid using
ultrasound vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator and the atomized
liquid is discharged (e.g., patent document 1).
[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application
Laid-open Publication No. H5-70592
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the smoking toy in the patent document 1, however, since
it is necessary to dispose the porous or mesh thin plate such that
it at least partially opposed to the atomizing application surface
with the fine gap interposed therebetween, there is a problem that
it is difficult to adjust to dispose the thin plate. Even if the
adjustment is made, there is a problem that if the gap size is
varied due to vibration of the toy itself or other reason, the mist
particles are not generated easily.
[0005] The present invention has been accomplished in view of such
problems, and it is an object of the invention to provide a mist
ejecting toy and a mist generating unit capable of effectively
generating and ejecting mist particles.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] According to a first invention, there is provided a mist
ejecting toy comprising a liquid retaining member fixed to a toy
body, a jet cylinder provided in the toy body, an ultrasound
generating element having a vibrating plate to a piezoelectric
vibrator, and a controller for driving and controlling the
ultrasound generating element, wherein a vibrating section of the
vibrating plate is abutted against the liquid retaining member, the
controller vibrates the vibrating section to generate mist
particles, the mist particles are ejected from the jet cylinder,
and the vibrating plate is placed at a position where liquid drop
produced by adhesion of the mist particles to the jet cylinder does
not fall onto the vibrating section. According to the ultrasound
generating element in this case, the vibrating plate may be fixed
to one of end surfaces of the piezoelectric vibrator, or the
vibrating plate may be sandwiched between two piezoelectric
vibrators and the outer surfaces (opposite from the sandwiching
surfaces) of the two piezoelectric vibrators may be electrodes.
[0007] According to a second invention, in the mist ejecting toy of
the first invention, when a silhouette of an introducing port of
the jet cylinder standing on the toy body projected directly below
is conceived, the vibrating plate of the jet cylinder is disposed
away from the silhouette.
[0008] According to a third invention, in the mist ejecting toy of
the first or second invention, the vibrating plate is disposed in
such a direction that the vibrating plate can introduce the mist
particles generated in the vibrating section into the introducing
port of the jet cylinder from a diagonally lower location.
[0009] According to a fourth invention, in the mist ejecting toy of
any one of the first to third inventions, illuminating means which
illuminates the mist particles is disposed in the toy body.
[0010] According to a fifth invention, in the mist ejecting toy of
any one of the first to third inventions, illuminating means for
illuminating the ejecting mist particles from inside of the jet
cylinder is disposed in the toy body.
[0011] According to a sixth invention, in the mist ejecting toy of
the fourth or fifth invention, the toy body is provided with a
speaker which outputs a voice, and the controller controls the
illuminating means and the speaker in association with ejection of
the mist particles so that the illuminating means illuminates the
mist particles and the speaker outputs a voice or changes a
voice.
[0012] According to a seventh invention, in the mist ejecting toy
of any one of the first to sixth inventions, the toy further
comprises a movable member on which the ultrasound generating
element is mounted, the movable member is operated by gravity
acting on the movable member to bring the vibrating section of the
vibrating plate into abutment against the liquid retaining member,
the liquid retaining member is mounted on a base frame, the liquid
retaining member is fixed to the toy body through the base frame,
and the movable member is mounted on the base frame.
[0013] According to an eighth invention, in the mist ejecting toy
of the seventh invention, the movable member is mounted on the base
frame through a hinge.
[0014] A ninth invention provides a mist generating unit comprising
a base frame on which a liquid retaining member is mounted and
which can be mounted on a toy body, and a movable member on which
an ultrasound generating element constituted by fixing a vibrating
plate to one of two end surfaces of the piezoelectric vibrator
having electrodes on the two end surfaces is mounted, and which is
relatively operated with respect to the base frame to bring a
vibrating section of the vibrating plate into abutment against the
liquid retaining member.
[0015] According to a tenth invention, the mist generating unit of
the ninth invention further comprises a spring, and the vibrating
section of the vibrating plate is brought into abutment against the
liquid retaining member by a force of the spring acting on the
movable member.
[0016] According to the mist ejecting toy of the first to eighth
inventions, since the liquid retaining member and the vibrating
section are abutted against each other to generate the mist
particles, the mist particles can stably be generated. Since the
liquid drop produced by adhesion of the mist particles is prevented
from falling onto the vibrating section, the generation of the mist
particles is not hindered by the falling of the liquid drop.
[0017] According to the mist ejecting toy of the second invention,
since the liquid drop produced by adhesion of the mist particles is
prevented from falling onto the vibrating section, the generation
of the mist particles is not hindered by the falling of the liquid
drop.
[0018] According to the mist ejecting toy of the third invention,
since the mist particles generated in the vibrating section are
introduced into the introducing port of the jet cylinder from the
diagonally lower location, it is possible to prevent liquid drop
from falling, and the jet cylinder can be used for another
purpose.
[0019] According to the mist ejecting toy of the fourth and fifth
inventions, since the mist particles are illuminated with light and
colored, it is possible to realize a succulent mist ejecting
toy.
[0020] According to the mist ejecting toy of the sixth invention,
the ejection of the mist particles, illumination of the mist
particles, output of voice or change of voice of the mist particles
are carried out in synchronization with each other, it is possible
to visually enjoy the decorated mist particles, and to auditorily
enjoy by means of a voice. The illumination may be changed (in
color or in brightness) in synchronization with ejection of the
mist particles.
[0021] According to the mist ejecting toy of the seventh and eighth
inventions, since the liquid retaining member and the vibrating
section are abutted against each other by the gravity to generate
the mist particles. Therefore, the liquid retaining member and the
vibrating section are reliably abutted against each other, and it
is possible to stably generate the mist particles. Further, the
liquid retaining member and the movable member are mounted on the
base frame, and the ultrasound generating element is mounted on the
movable member. Therefore, the liquid retaining member and the
ultrasound generating element can be mounted on the toy body only
by mounting the base frame to the toy body, and the assembling
operation of the mist ejecting toy becomes easy.
[0022] According to the mist generating unit of the ninth and tenth
inventions, the liquid retaining member and the movable member are
mounted on the base frame, and the ultrasound generating element is
mounted on the movable member. Therefore, the liquid retaining
member and the ultrasound generating element can be mounted on the
toy body only by mounting the base frame to the toy body, and the
assembling operation of the mist ejecting toy becomes easy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of a mist ejecting toy of an
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mist ejecting toy as
viewed from side;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mist ejecting toy as
viewed from front;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mist generating unit in
the mist ejecting toy;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the mist generating unit;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the mist generating unit as
viewed from side;
[0029] FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view of a mounting
structure of a ultrasound generating element to the mist generating
unit;
[0030] FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view of a structure of the
ultrasound generating element in the mist ejecting toy;
[0031] FIG. 9 is an explanatory sectional view of a structure of a
vibrating plate of the ultrasound generating element;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram in the mist ejecting toy;
and
[0033] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the circuit
diagram.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a mist ejecting toy 1 is copied
from a traction engine of a steam locomotive. A motor 3 (see FIG.
10) is mounted in a toy body 2 of the mist ejecting toy 1. The
motor 3 drives wheels 4 and the mist ejecting toy 1 runs. The mist
ejecting toy 1 can run manually also. The toy body 2 has a speaker
5 (see FIG. 10). A pseudo steam generating sound is output from the
speaker 5. The toy body 2 has a mist generating unit 6 as shown in
FIG. 2. The mist generating unit 6 atomizes particle (mist
particles) 40 and the mist particles is ejected from a chimney (jet
cylinder) 7. The mist particles 40 eject the mist particles in
synchronization with the output of the pseudo steam generating
sound. The mist particles 40 ejected from the chimney 7 is
illuminated with light from inside of the chimney 7. The mist
particles 40 are illuminated with light in synchronization with the
ejection of the mist particles 40. As shown in FIG. 10, the mist
ejecting toy 1 is provided with a battery 30 and switches 21, 22
and 23. Details of the mist ejecting toy 1 will be explained
below.
[0035] First, the mist generating unit 6 will be explained. As
shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the mist generating unit 6 includes a
movable member 13, and a base frame 9 which can be mounted on the
toy body 2. A liquid retaining member 8 is mounted on the base
frame 9. A piezoelectric vibrator 10 is provided at its opposite
end surfaces with electrodes 10a and 10b, a vibrating plate 11 is
fixed to one end surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, thereby
constituting an ultrasound generating element 12 attached on the
movable member. The movable member 13 is operated with respect to
the base frame 9, thereby bringing a vibrating section 11a of the
vibrating plate 11 into abutment against the liquid retaining
member 8.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 has a
rectangular piezoelectric ceramic 10c. The piezoelectric vibrator
10 as a piezoelectric ceramic 10c, the piezoelectric ceramic 10c is
formed at its opposite end surfaces with Au electrodes 10a and 10b,
and terminals 10d and 10e are mounted on the Au electrodes 10a and
10b. The vibrating plate 11 is mounted such that a portion thereof
is superposed on one end surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 10.
A portion of the vibrating plate 11 which projects from the
piezoelectric vibrator 10 constitutes the vibrating section 11a. As
shown in FIG. 9, the vibrating section 11a is formed with a large
number of fine holes 11b such as to penetrate the vibrating section
11a in its thickness direction. Each hole 11b is tapered toward the
ejection side of the mist particles 40. A sponge is used as the
liquid retaining member 8 for example.
[0037] The base frame 9 is mounted on the toy body 2 through a
screw (not shown) which passes through a through hole 9a. The
liquid retaining member 8 is fitted and mounted to the base frame 9
from below (opposite side from the movable member 13) in FIG. 6. A
portion of the liquid retaining member 8 is led out to the upper
side of the base frame 9. In this case, it is not always necessary
to mount the entire liquid retaining member 8 to be used on the
base frame 9 only if a minimum portion is mounted on the base frame
9. For example, only a portion of the liquid retaining member 8
which is abutted against the vibrating section 11a may be mounted
on the base frame 9. In this case, since the liquid retaining
amount is reduced, it is preferable that another liquid retaining
member 8 is provided on a lower side of the base frame 9. The
liquid retaining member 8 is replenished with water or the like
using a dropping syringe for example. The replenish using the
dropping syringe is not especially limited, but the liquid
retaining member 8 is replenished with water through a dropping
syringe inserting hole formed in the toy body 2. When another
liquid retaining member that is different from the liquid retaining
member 8 which corresponds to the portion abutting against the
vibrating section 11a is provided, a liquid retaining member
container for accommodating this other liquid retaining member is
detachably attached to the toy body 2, the liquid retaining member
is moistened with water and then, the liquid retaining member is
mounted from below the toy body 2 and brought into abutment against
the liquid retaining member 8, and the liquid retaining member may
be replenished with water. A tank may be provided, and water used
for moisten the liquid retaining member 8 corresponding to the
portion abutting against the vibrating section 11a may be stored.
When the tank is provided, if the mist ejecting toy 1 is inclined,
it should be noted that liquid may leak.
[0038] The movable member 13 is mounted on the base frame 9 through
a hinge 14. That is, the mist ejecting toy 1 is mounted on the base
frame 9 so that the movable member 13 can turn around a shaft 14a.
An ultrasound generating element 12 is mounted on a tip end of the
movable member 13. That is, the movable member 13 is provided at
its tip end with an accommodating recess 13a of the rectangular
piezoelectric vibrator 10 whose upper side and tip end are opened.
A lower side of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is fitted into the
accommodating recess 13a. In this case, if the entire surface of
the piezoelectric vibrator 10 comes into contact with a bottom
surface of the accommodating recess 13a, there is a danger that the
piezoelectric vibrator 10 does not vibrate. Hence, a plurality of
abutting portions 13b which come into contact only with a portion
of a side peripheral of the one of the surfaces of the
piezoelectric vibrator 10 are provided on the bottom surface of the
accommodating recess 13a. The movable member 13 is provided at its
tip end with a lid body 13c for covering the accommodating recess
13a from above. The lid body 13c is also provided with abutting
portions 13d which come into contact only with portions of the side
periphery of the other surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 10.
Screws (not shown) passing through the through holes 13e are
threadedly engaged with the screw holes 13f, respectively, thereby
mounting the lid body 13c on the movable member 13.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the vibrating section 11a of the
vibrating plate 11 projects from the tip end of the movable member
13 when the ultrasound generating element 12 is mounted on the
movable member 13. When the movable member 13 is closed with
respect to the base frame 9, the vibrating section 11a abuts
against the liquid retaining member 8. In this case, the movable
member 13 may be constituted such that it automatically closes with
respect to the base frame 9 by gravity acting on the movable member
13. Further, the movable member 13 may be constituted such that a
spring is mounted between the movable member 13 and the base frame
9, and the movable member 13 is biased in its closing direction
with respect to the base frame 9 by the spring force.
[0040] The mist generating unit 6 having the above-described
structure is placed at a position where liquid produced by adhesion
of the mist particles does not drop onto the vibrating section 11a.
As shown in FIG. 2 for example, when a silhouette of an introducing
port of the chimney 7 for the mist particles 40 standing on the toy
body 2 projected directly below is conceived, the mist generating
unit 6 is disposed such that the vibrating plate 11 is located away
from the silhouette. The mist generating unit 6 is disposed such
that mist particles 40 generated by the vibrating section 11a can
effectively be introduced into the introducing port of the chimney
7. As shown in FIG. 2 for example, the mist generating unit 6 is
disposed in such a direction that the vibrating plate 11 can
introduce the mist particles 40 into the introducing port of the
chimney 7 from diagonally lower location.
[0041] Illuminating means 16 for illuminating the mist particles 40
is disposed in the toy body 2. The illuminating means 16 illuminate
the ejecting mist particles 40 from inside of the chimney 7. The
illuminating means 16 is not especially limited, but a
light-emitting diode 16a is used. When a silhouette of the
introducing port of the chimney 7 for the mist particles 40
projected directly below is conceived, if the light-emitting diode
16a is disposed in the silhouette, a transparent waterproofing
cover is put on the chimney 7 so that liquid does not drop from the
chimney 7. In the case of the embodiment, since the toy is the
traction engine in the steam locomotive, a red light-emitting diode
is used as the light-emitting diode 16a. In the case of the red
light-emitting diode, since the inside of the chimney 7 and lower
sides of the ejected mist particles 40 are colored with red, the
red light-emitting diode create such an image that an internal
combustion engine is operated in the toy body 2. A red filter, a
red transparent cover or a red mirror may be used instead of using
the red light-emitting diode. The inside of the chimney 7 and the
ejecting mist particles 40 may be illuminated with another color of
course. In such a case, a fantastic image can be created. An
electric bulb may be used instead of the light-emitting diode
16a.
[0042] FIG. 10 shows an example of a circuit applied to the mist
ejecting toy 1 of the embodiment.
[0043] In the drawing, a symbol 20 represents a control IC, and
symbols 21, 22 and 23 represent the switches.
[0044] The switch 21 is a mode switch 21. The mode switch 21 is
provided in the toy body 2 and is artificially operated. As shown
in FIG. 11, the self-excited circuit 21 can assume three positions
from a position 1 to a position 3. In the position 1, both the
motor 3 and a self-excited circuit 21 can be operated. In the
position 2, the motor 3 can not be operated and the self-excited
circuit 21 can be operated. The self-excited circuit 21 assumes the
position 2 when the mist ejecting toy 1 runs manually. In the
position 3, both the motor 3 and self-excited circuit 21, can not
be operated. The self-excited circuit 21 assumes the position 3
when a power supply is turned OFF.
[0045] The switch 22 is operated when the wheels 4 of the mist
ejecting toy 1 rotate. The switch 22 is operated by cams provided
on rotation shafts of the wheels 4 and cams integrally provided on
the wheels 4. The switch 22 is thrown whenever the wheel 4 rotates
once. When the switch 22 is thrown, a self-excited excitation
circuit 24 is driven by the control IC20, the vibrating plate 11 of
the ultrasound generating element 12 vibrates and the mist
particles 40 are generated. With this, the light-emitting diode 16a
which is the 116 is lit by the control IC20, and steam generating
sound is output from the speaker 5. The switch 23 is thrown by a
manual operation. When the switch 23 is thrown, sound other than
the steam generating sound is output from the speaker 5. The switch
23 is thrown temporarily. That is, if a person pushes a button for
throwing the switch 23 with his or her hand and moves the hand off
the button, the switch 23 returns to its original position.
[0046] Along them, the self-excited excitation circuit 24 will be
explained. The self-excited excitation circuit 24 has a current
feedback transformer. If the self-excited excitation circuit is
employed, an adjusting element such as a tuned circuit is
unnecessary, and a driving circuit having both oscillation and
drive can simply be constituted. The self-excited excitation
circuit 24 is driven when a driving transistor (e.g., NPN
transistor) 25 is turned ON. The driving IC 25 is turned ON when
the s22 is thrown. In this case, whenever the switch 22 is thrown,
the driving transistor 25 may be driven by the control IC20 for
predetermined time, or the whenever the number of throwing times of
the switch 22 reaches predetermined times, the driving transistor
25 may be driven for predetermined time by the control IC20. When
the switches 22 and 23 are thrown at the same timing or close
timing, a sound based on the throwing of the switch 23 is output
with high priority. In this case, the light-emitting diode 16a is
not lit by the control IC20.
[0047] The total operation of the circuit having the
above-described structure will be explained. When the mode switch
21 assumes the position 1, the motor 3 is driven and the mist
ejecting toy 1 automatically runs. At that time, as the wheels 4
rotate, the driving transistor 25 is turned ON and with this, the
ultrasound generating element 12 is driven and the mist particles
40 are generated. A pseudo steam generating sound is output from
the speaker 5 based on sound data stored in the control IC20, and
the light-emitting diode 16a is lit.
[0048] When the mode switch 21 assumes the position 2, the mist
ejecting toy 1 runs manually, the driving transistor 25 is turned
ON as the wheels 4 rotate and with this, the ultrasound generating
element 12 is driven and the mist particles 40 are generated. At
that time, a pseudo steam generating sound is output from the
speaker 5 based on the sound data stored in the control IC20, and
the light-emitting diode 16a is lit.
[0049] If the switch 23 is thrown in the position 1 and the
position 2, the toy speaks for predetermined time. For example, a
sound "I am a locomotive 0000 (name)" or "I am now passing through
OO (name of place)" is output. When the switch 23 is thrown, the
toy speaks with precedence over the pseudo steam generating
sound.
[0050] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been
explained above, the invention is not limited to the embodiment,
and various modifications can be made within a range not departing
from the subject matter.
[0051] For example, a core can be placed in the jet cylinder and
the mist particles 40 can be ejected in a form of a ring. In the
case of the embodiment, a guide plate for introducing the mist
particles 40 also to a lower portion of the vehicle body may be
provided and the mist particles 40 may be ejected from the lower
side of the vehicle body. A smoke reservoir may be provided, and if
this is intermittently pushed out by a piston or the like, the mist
particles 40 can be ejected intermittently.
[0052] Although the invention is applied to the traction engine of
the steam locomotive in this embodiment, the invention can also be
applied to other toys such as an automobile toy. In the case of the
automobile toy, a tractor toy or a ship toy, if the mist particles
40 are ejected from an exhaust cylinder, the toy can be close to a
real one. In the case of a fountain, if the mist particles are
ejected from a jet cylinder which looks like a nozzle, an image
that a fountain is actually operating can be created.
[0053] According to the embodiment, the ultrasound generating
element 12 has such a structure that the vibrating plate 11 is
fixed to one of the end surfaces of the piezoelectric vibrator 10,
the vibrating plate may be sandwiched between two piezoelectric
vibrators, and outer surfaces (opposite from the sandwiching
surfaces) of the two piezoelectric vibrators may be formed as
electrodes.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0054] The invention of the present Application can preferably be
utilized for a mist ejecting toy and a mist generating unit capable
of generating and ejecting mist particles.
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