Atomizer structure optimization method, terminal device and storage medium

Abstract

An optimization method, terminal device, and storage medium for an atomizer structure, the optimization method comprising: obtaining a three-dimensional model of the atomizer and extracting a fluid channel of the three-dimensional model; calculating the flow field of the fluid channel using a preset flow field calculation rule; judging whether the flow field has converged based on a preset convergence standard; if the flow field has converged, setting a preset first particle size distribution for atomized liquid particles at the incident surface of the fluid channel, simulating the process of atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field using a preset particle calculation rule, obtaining a second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet surface of the fluid channel, judging whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirement; if so, outputting the three-dimensional model. By using the three-dimensional model to extract the fluid channel and using the preset calculation rule to perform flow field calculation and particle calculation, it is determined that the current three-dimensional model of the atomizer meets the atomization effect and particle size requirements, thereby reducing the R&D cycle and R&D costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of atomizers, and in particular to an optimization method for an atomizer structure, a terminal device, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] At present, the structural design of atomizers generally adopts the conventional structural design process of drawing-proofing-testing. Repeated proofing and testing will not only increase the product development cycle, but also increase material consumption and testing costs, and reduce R&D efficiency.

[0003] Nebulizer inhalation therapy uses a nebulizer inhalation device to transform a drug solution into aerosol particles with a diameter of 0.01-10μm. These are inhaled and deposited in the airways and lungs, exerting their therapeutic effects. The diameter of the aerosolized particles directly affects the location of drug deposition. Particles with a diameter of 5-10μm are primarily deposited in the oropharynx, particles with a diameter of 3-5μm are primarily deposited in the lungs, and 50%-60% of particles with a diameter less than 3μm are deposited in the alveoli. The effective aerosolized particle diameter should be between 1-5μm.

[0004] Therefore, the existing atomizer structure design method requires proofing to obtain the atomization effect, which takes a long time and is costly to develop. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main technical problem solved by the present invention is that the existing atomizer structure design method requires proofing to determine whether the atomization effect meets the requirements, the overall research and development time is long, and the cost is high.

[0006] According to the first aspect, an embodiment provides a method for optimizing an atomizer structure, comprising:

[0007] Obtaining a three-dimensional model of the atomizer and extracting a fluid channel of the three-dimensional model;

[0008] Calculating the flow field of the fluid channel using a preset flow field calculation rule;

[0009] According to the preset convergence standard, judge whether the flow field converges;

[0010] If the flow field converges, a preset first particle size distribution is set for the atomized liquid particles at the incident surface of the fluid channel, and the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field is simulated using a preset particle calculation rule to obtain a second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet surface of the fluid channel. It is determined whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements; if so, a three-dimensional model is output.

[0011] According to the second aspect, an embodiment provides a terminal device, including:

[0012] A model processing module is used to obtain a three-dimensional model of the atomizer and extract the fluid channel of the three-dimensional model; when the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements, the three-dimensional model is output;

[0013] The flow field calculation module is used to calculate the flow field of the fluid channel using a preset flow field calculation rule; and to determine whether the flow field has converged according to a preset convergence standard;

[0014] The particle calculation module is used to set a preset first particle size distribution for the atomized liquid particles at the incident surface of the fluid channel when the flow field converges, simulate the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field using a preset particle calculation rule, obtain the second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet surface of the fluid channel, and determine whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements.

[0015] According to a third aspect, an embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a program is stored. The program can be executed by a processor to implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0016] According to the atomizer structure optimization method, terminal device, and storage medium described in the above embodiment, a three-dimensional model is used to extract fluid channels and, using pre-set calculation rules, flow field and particle size calculations to determine whether the current atomizer three-dimensional model meets atomization effect and particle size requirements. Processing based on the current three-dimensional model ensures that the product meets design requirements, reducing R&D cycles and costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a method for optimizing an atomizer structure provided by an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a method for optimizing an atomizer structure provided in another embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a first particle size distribution curve provided in one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a fluid flow channel provided in one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 is a columnar schematic diagram of a second particle size distribution of a fluid flow channel;

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a second particle size distribution for another fluid flow channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below by means of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are numbered with associated similar elements. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are provided to enable the present application to be better understood. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that some of the features may be omitted in different circumstances, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid the core portion of the present application being overwhelmed by excessive descriptions, and for those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail. They will fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0024] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any appropriate manner to form various embodiments. Furthermore, the steps or actions in the method description may be reordered or adjusted in a manner readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and drawings are provided solely for the purpose of clearly describing a particular embodiment and are not intended to be mandatory, unless otherwise specified.

[0025] The serial numbers assigned to components herein, such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely to distinguish the objects being described and do not convey any sequential or technical meaning. References to "connection" and "coupling" herein, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0026] In the traditional atomizer structure design, the design and adjustment of the structure are based on the personal experience of the design engineer. After the design is completed, proofs are made for testing, and then the various structures of the atomizer are repeatedly modified according to the tested structure. Atomizers are products such as atomization therapy devices or electronic cigarettes, which are products in which the atomized liquid is directly inhaled by the human body. The particle size of the atomized liquid affects the effect of atomization, such as the therapeutic effect or taste. Different types of products require different atomization effects, and generally only the particle size distribution of the atomizer component after the first atomization can be measured. The particles atomized by the atomizer component are discharged along the internal fluid flow channel under the action of the airflow, and the particle size of the atomized liquid will change at this time. Simply measuring the particle size after the atomization of the atomizer component cannot meet the application requirements of the product.

[0027] Furthermore, different fluid channels have different effects on the change in the size of the atomized liquid particles. Sometimes the designed structure cannot meet the basic requirements in theory, such as the overall increase or decrease in the size of the particles. The cost of repeated proofing and modification of the structural model is high.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, by incorporating CFD (computational fluid dynamics) into the structural design process, a significant number of non-compliant solutions can be eliminated through simulation calculations, effectively reducing the number of proofing and testing times, saving time and costs, and improving R&D efficiency. The present invention incorporates particle size distribution characteristic calculations into the CFD analysis process and uses this as a key indicator for evaluating whether the atomizer structure has good atomization performance, thereby determining whether parameter modifications and iterative calculations are necessary.

[0029] It should be noted that the present application can use any available CFD software to implement the optimization method, and is not limited to the specific software type. The optimization method can be implemented using one or more software. The CFD software can be CFX, FIDAP, FLUENT, PHOENICS, or STAR-CD, etc.

[0030] Example 1:

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 This embodiment provides a method for optimizing an atomizer structure, comprising:

[0032] Step 1: Obtain a 3D model of the atomizer and extract the fluid channels of the 3D model. Through the pre-processing module (or defined as the model processing module), the 3D model (also known as the geometric model, geometric structure) can be constructed and modified.

[0033] At this point, step 1 may include the following steps:

[0034] Step 101: Input a 3D model, or modify an existing 3D model.

[0035] Step 102: Extract the fluid flow path of the three-dimensional model to obtain the corresponding fluid flow path.

[0036] Step 2: Calculate the flow field of the fluid channel using the preset flow field calculation rules.

[0037] When using CFD software for flow field calculation, the above-mentioned preset flow field calculation rules are the software's built-in flow field calculation model. Before using the flow field calculation model, the fluid flow channel needs to be meshed. In this case, step 2 may include:

[0038] Step 201: Meshing the fluid flow channel, using a preset mesh size and skew angle, or iteratively modifying the mesh parameters of the previous 3D model.

[0039] Step 202: Select a preset fluid calculation model to calculate the flow field of the fluid channel. After selecting the fluid calculation model, set the model parameters in the solver module of the CFD software, such as setting boundary conditions and solution settings.

[0040] Specifically, when the atomizer application environment is an electronic cigarette, the fluid calculation model can be a turbulence model, and the boundary conditions of the corresponding fluid calculation model include inlet form, outlet form, fluid flow and pressure setting; among them, the inlet form can be a flow inlet form, the outlet form can be a pressure outlet form, and the pressure is set to atmospheric pressure.

[0041] Step 3: Determine whether the flow field has converged based on a preset convergence criterion. Whether the flow field has converged is determined based on the set convergence criterion, namely, the residual between the preset value and the simulated measurement time. Specifically, this can be the parameters of the simulated flow field, which include velocity, pressure distribution, and flow field stability. Convergence is determined by the residual between the preset value and the simulated measurement time. If the flow field has converged, proceed to step 4; otherwise, proceed to step 6.

[0042] Step 4: If the flow field converges, a preset first particle size distribution is set for the atomized liquid particles at the incident surface (inlet) of the fluid channel, and the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field is simulated using the preset particle calculation rules to obtain the second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet surface (outlet) of the fluid channel, and determine whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements; if so, output the three-dimensional model.

[0043] Specifically, after the flow field converges, the particle calculation model can be started to simulate the flow of the atomized liquid in the flow field to obtain the change in particle size of the atomized liquid particles after flowing through the flow field, and then determine whether the atomization particle size requirements are met.

[0044] This application separates the flow field calculation and the particle calculation into separate simulation calculations, and then performs the particle calculation of the atomized liquid after ensuring that the flow field meets the requirements. On the one hand, this can reduce the impact of the particle calculation on the flow field calculation. At the same time, if the simulation calculation is performed, the overall boundary conditions and solution settings are complicated; on the other hand, the step-by-step simulation can improve the efficiency of structural design.

[0045] At this point, step 4 may include the following steps:

[0046] Step 401: A preset first particle size distribution is applied to the atomized liquid particles at the incident surface of the fluid channel. Specifically, the first particle size distribution is applied at the inlet of the flow channel to simulate the particle distribution of the atomized liquid after atomization by the atomizer assembly. The first particle size distribution can be based on actual measurements of the particle size distribution after atomization by the atomizer assembly. The first particle size distribution at the inlet is generally determined by the atomizer assembly and can be set based on actual measurements, depending on the atomizer assembly currently used.

[0047] Step 402: Set a preset particle calculation model, set the boundary conditions and solution settings for the particle calculation model, and perform particle field calculations. The boundary conditions for the particle calculation model include a fluid incidence method, which is a surface incidence method. In other words, the boundary conditions for the particle calculation model and the corresponding solution settings are output to the solver module of the CFD software.

[0048] Step 403: Obtain a second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet of the fluid channel and determine whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements. If so, output the three-dimensional model. If not, proceed to step 5.

[0049] Specifically, the following methods can be used to determine whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements, for example:

[0050] Obtain the mass fraction of each particle size of the atomized liquid particles at the outlet of the fluid channel and calculate the total mass fraction within a preset particle size range. Based on the total mass fraction, determine whether the preset particle size requirements are met. The preset particle size requirements include a preset particle size range and a preset total mass fraction.

[0051] Step 5: If the second particle size distribution does not meet the preset particle size requirement, modify the 3D model and re-evaluate whether the flow field has converged. In other words, re-execute step 1.

[0052] For example, if the second particle size distribution does not meet the preset particle size requirements, it proves that the current fluid flow path cannot actually meet the requirements, that is, the current 3D model does not meet the product requirements. This can be determined in this step, thus avoiding ineffective proofing and testing. The purpose of modifying the 3D model is to modify the fluid flow path. This can be done by modifying the length, width, and radius of the 3D model, or by modifying the volume of the atomizer's atomizing component to modify the fluid channel.

[0053] Step 6: If the flow field does not converge, modify the parameters of the flow field calculation rules, recalculate the flow field, and re-judge whether the flow field has converged. When using CFD software for calculation, modify the parameters of the fluid calculation model, recalculate the flow field, and re-judge whether the flow field has converged.

[0054] For example, based on the type of fluid calculation model, the boundary conditions and solution settings of the corresponding fluid calculation model are modified. Obviously, different fluid flow channels have different corresponding fluid calculation models, so the fluid calculation model needs to be adjusted.

[0055] In summary, the present invention introduces CFD means in the atomizer flow channel structure design stage, and optimizes key geometric parameters through iterative calculation through simulation, so as to achieve the purpose of optimizing the structure. First, the internal flow channel of the existing atomizer geometric structure is extracted, and then the flow channel is meshed. The corresponding fluid calculation model is selected and the boundary conditions and solution method are set according to the actual situation. After the flow field converges, the particle field calculation is started, the initial particle size distribution is input, the boundary conditions and solution settings of the particle calculation model are updated, and the solution is completed. The above process is continuously iterated until the particle size distribution at the key monitoring position meets the requirements, and the optimized geometric model is output.

[0056] As can be seen, using CFD software for pre-proofing simulations can calculate whether the atomizer structure meets flow field and particle size requirements. During the simulation phase, modifications and adjustments can be made based on the results until the particle size distribution meets the requirements. This can help determine whether the atomizer's three-dimensional model at least meets the simulation requirements. This can reduce the possibility that the atomization effect of the physical atomizer after proofing fails to meet application requirements and shorten the R&D time required for design and proofing. This can improve the user experience of the product and enhance the product's market competitiveness.

[0057] Example 2:

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, in a practical application, the internal flow channel of the geometric structure is extracted, and after obtaining the internal flow channel structure, it is meshed. Then, the mesh file is input into the CFD software for solution setting. The k-omega model is selected as the turbulence model, and the inlet adopts the flow inlet form. The flow rate is set according to the measured value generated when the human body inhales the atomized liquid, which can be 18.3 ml / s. The outlet adopts the pressure outlet form, and the pressure is set to atmospheric pressure. The solution method adopts SIMPLEC, and the flow field calculation is started after initialization. After the flow field calculation converges, the particle calculation model is turned on, aerosol particles of the first particle size distribution are added, and the surface incidence method is selected.

[0059] The following Rosin-Rammler distribution function can be used to describe the functional relationship between the first particle size distribution at the inlet and the mass fraction:

[0060]

[0061] Among them, Y d is the mass fraction of particles larger than the specified particle size d, is the average particle size, d is the particle size, and n is the size distribution index.

[0062] The following method is used in CFD software to estimate the value of the size distribution index n, taking the following data as an example:

[0063] Particle size (μm) Quality score 0～1 0.05 1～3 0.2 3～5 0.25 5～7 0.35 7～10 0.15

[0064] The mass fraction of each particle size range mentioned above can be displayed by actually measuring the particle size distribution at the inlet of the fluid flow channel of the atomizer, and obtaining the mass fraction Y of particles exceeding the particle size according to the actual situation. d .

[0065] Particle size (μm) <![CDATA[Mass fraction Y exceeding this particle size d > 1 0.95 3 0.75 5 0.5 7 0.15 10 0

[0066] First estimate the average particle size. When the particle size is the average particle size, that is When , the quality score is:

[0067] Y d =e -1 =0.368

[0068] At this time linear interpolation:

[0069]

[0070] Calculated

[0071] Substituting into the formula, the size distribution index can be obtained:

[0072]

[0073] The n values corresponding to different particle sizes are averaged and then inserted into the RR function fitting curve. The initial input particle size distribution is as follows: Figure 3 as shown and enter the n value into the software.

[0074] Particle size (μm) <![CDATA[Mass fraction Y exceeding this particle size d > Size distribution index (n) 1 0.95 1.698031 3 0.75 1.915037 5 0.5 2.622409 7 0.15 3.255228 10 0 / average value 2.372676

[0075] This application uses the Rosin-Rammler distribution function to associate the size distribution index required by the CFD software with the preset first particle size distribution, so that the parameters of the simulation input on the CFD software are more consistent with the particle size distribution of the initial atomized liquid particles generated by the actual atomization component.

[0076] After completing the first particle size distribution of the inlet, the particle field solution calculation is started to obtain the particle size distribution of the preset monitoring position (such as the outlet of the fluid flow channel), such as obtaining a histogram of the particle size distribution, and making a judgment based on the Figure 1 or Figure 2 The steps are repeated until the calculated particle size distribution meets the effective particle size range of atomization inhalation, then the iteration is stopped and the geometric model is output.

[0077] In a practical application, one way to modify the three-dimensional model is to modify the size of the atomizer assembly. The atomizer assembly can be actually used as a heating element. This embodiment optimizes the thickness parameter of the heating element as an example. The internal flow channel structure of the atomizer can be as follows: Figure 4shown.

[0078] According to the above steps, when the thickness of the heating element is 1 mm, the particle size distribution at the outlet surface is calculated as follows: Figure 5 As shown, it can be seen that the proportion of particles with a diameter of 1-5 μm is 48%.

[0079] Change the heating element thickness parameter and continue iterative calculation. When the heating element thickness is 1.5mm, the particle size distribution at the outlet is as follows: Figure 6 As shown in the figure, particles with a diameter of 1-5 μm account for 66%. In actual sample atomization testing, changing the thickness of the heating element resulted in improved atomization. This demonstrates that by incorporating particle size distribution characteristics as an evaluation metric and using them as a judgment parameter in CFD analysis, the internal flow path structure can be optimized during the atomizer design process. This ultimately reduces the cost of atomizer design and development, optimizes the user experience, and enhances the product's market competitiveness.

[0080] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the functions of the various methods in the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware or by computer program. When all or part of the functions in the above embodiments are implemented by computer program, the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium can include: read-only memory, random access memory, disk, optical disk, hard disk, etc., and the program is executed by a computer to implement the above functions. For example, the program is stored in the memory of the device, and when the program in the memory is executed by the processor, all or part of the above functions can be implemented. In addition, when all or part of the functions in the above embodiments are implemented by computer program, the program can also be stored in a storage medium such as a server, another computer, disk, optical disk, flash disk or mobile hard disk, and saved in the memory of the local device by downloading or copying, or the system of the local device is updated. When the program in the memory is executed by the processor, all or part of the functions in the above embodiments can be implemented.

[0081] The above examples are used to illustrate the present invention, which are only used to help understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make several simple deductions, modifications or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing an atomizer structure, characterized in that: include: Obtaining a three-dimensional model of the atomizer and extracting a fluid channel of the three-dimensional model; Calculating the flow field of the fluid channel using a preset flow field calculation rule; Determining whether the flow field has converged according to a preset convergence criterion; If the flow field converges, a preset first particle size distribution is set for the atomized liquid particles at the incident surface of the fluid channel, and a preset particle calculation rule is used to simulate the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field to obtain a second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet surface of the fluid channel, and it is judged whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirement; if it meets the requirement, the three-dimensional model is output, wherein the simulation of the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field using the preset particle calculation rule includes: setting a preset particle calculation model, setting boundary conditions and solution settings corresponding to the particle calculation model, and performing particle field calculation; the boundary conditions corresponding to the particle calculation model include a fluid incident mode, and the fluid incident mode is a surface incident mode; The determining whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements includes: obtaining the mass fraction corresponding to each particle size of the atomized liquid particles at the outlet surface of the fluid channel, and calculating the total mass fraction within a preset particle size range; determining whether the preset particle size requirements are met based on the total mass fraction, wherein the preset particle size requirements include a preset particle size range and a preset total mass fraction.

2. The optimization method according to claim 1, wherein: If the second particle size distribution does not meet the preset particle size requirement, modifying the three-dimensional model and re-determining whether the flow field is convergent; If the flow field does not converge, the parameters of the flow field calculation rule are modified, the flow field is recalculated, and whether the flow field converges is re-determined.

3. The optimization method according to claim 1, wherein: Calculating the flow field of the fluid channel using a preset flow field calculation rule, including: gridding the fluid channel, and selecting a preset fluid calculation model to calculate the flow field of the fluid channel; If the flow field does not converge, the parameters of the fluid calculation model are modified, the flow field is recalculated, and whether the flow field converges is re-determined.

4. The optimization method according to claim 3, wherein: Modifying the parameters of the fluid calculation model includes: According to the type of the fluid computational model, the boundary conditions and solution settings corresponding to the fluid computational model are modified.

5. The optimization method according to claim 4, wherein: The fluid calculation model is a turbulence model, and the boundary conditions corresponding to the fluid calculation model include inlet form, outlet form, fluid flow rate and pressure setting; Wherein, the inlet form is a flow inlet form, the outlet form is a pressure outlet form, and the pressure is set to atmospheric pressure.

6. The optimization method according to claim 2, wherein: Modifying the three-dimensional model, comprising: The volume of the atomizing assembly of the atomizer is modified to modify the fluid passage.

7. A terminal device, characterized in that: include: A model processing module, configured to obtain a three-dimensional model of the atomizer and extract a fluid channel of the three-dimensional model; When the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirement, outputting the three-dimensional model; A flow field calculation module, configured to calculate the flow field of the fluid channel using a preset flow field calculation rule; and determine whether the flow field is converged according to a preset convergence standard; A particle calculation module is used to set a preset first particle size distribution for the atomized liquid particles at the incident surface of the fluid channel when the flow field converges, simulate the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field using a preset particle calculation rule, obtain a second particle size distribution of the atomized liquid at the outlet surface of the fluid channel, and determine whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirement, wherein the simulation of the process of the atomized liquid particles passing through the flow field using the preset particle calculation rule includes: setting a preset particle calculation model, setting boundary conditions and solution settings corresponding to the particle calculation model, and performing particle field calculation; the boundary conditions corresponding to the particle calculation model include a fluid incidence mode, and the fluid incidence mode is a surface incidence mode; The determining whether the second particle size distribution meets the preset particle size requirements includes: obtaining the mass fraction corresponding to each particle size of the atomized liquid particles at the outlet surface of the fluid channel, and calculating the total mass fraction within a preset particle size range; determining whether the preset particle size requirements are met based on the total mass fraction, wherein the preset particle size requirements include a preset particle size range and a preset total mass fraction.

8. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The medium stores a program, which can be executed by a processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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