A touch-controlled nebulizer

Abstract

The application discloses a touch-controlled atomizer, which comprises a suction nozzle and at least one piezoelectric sensor mounted on the suction nozzle, the piezoelectric sensor is used for collecting the touch of the user on the suction nozzle to control the power of the atomizer, the piezoelectric sensor comprises a surface layer, an inner layer and a shielding layer, the surface layer comprises an electrode and a nanofiber membrane made of polyvinylidene fluoride, the electrode is etched on the front surface and the back surface of the fiber membrane; the inner layer is prepared by doping carbon nanotubes in a polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer film through a solution casting method; the shielding layer is arranged between the surface layer and the inner layer and is used for grounding, and the shielding layer is a silver-plated nylon net. The piezoelectric sensor senses the pressure generated by the touch of the user's lips on the atomizer suction nozzle and produces corresponding electric signals to control the power of the atomizer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of piezoelectric sensor technology, and in particular to a touch-controlled atomizer. Background Technology

[0002] Existing atomizers, in addition to using airflow sensors (microphones) to control their activation, also employ pressure or piezoelectric sensors. These sensors collect the pressure from the user's lips against the atomizer's mouthpiece and convert that pressure into an electrical signal to control the atomizer's start or stop. However, the accuracy of existing pressure / piezoelectric sensors is easily affected by the amount of fluid in the user's mouth and the contact area between the sensor's sensing surface and the lips, which can lead to atomizers automatically activating or malfunctioning. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to propose a touch-controlled atomizer that can improve the atomizer's start-up accuracy.

[0004] On the one hand, to achieve the above objectives, this application provides a touch-controlled atomizer. The atomizer includes a mouthpiece and at least one piezoelectric sensor mounted on the mouthpiece. The piezoelectric sensor is used to detect the user's touch on the mouthpiece to control the power of the atomizer. The piezoelectric sensor includes:

[0005] The surface layer includes two independent electrodes and a nanofiber membrane made of polyvinylidene fluoride. The two electrodes are etched on the front and back sides of the fiber membrane and are electrically connected through the fiber membrane.

[0006] The inner layer was obtained by solution casting of carbon nanotubes in a polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer film.

[0007] A shielding layer, disposed between the outer and inner layers and used for grounding, is a Faraday cage made of silver-plated nylon.

[0008] Specifically, the piezoelectric sensor generates an electrical signal when touched by the user's lips, and the atomizer outputs power based on the electrical signal to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale through the mouthpiece.

[0009] When a user inhales from the atomizer, they contact the mouthpiece with their mouth and then draw air into the atomizer through the mouthpiece, allowing outside air to enter the atomizer and carrying away the aerosol generated inside the atomizer through the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the atomizer has multiple piezoelectric sensors distributed on different sides of the mouthpiece to select an appropriate output power based on the contact area between the mouthpiece and the user's lips.

[0010] In some embodiments, the atomizer includes not only the piezoelectric sensor described above, but also a microphone for detecting airflow activity generated when the user inhales through the mouthpiece.

[0011] On the one hand, at the first moment, the piezoelectric sensor acquires the first pressure generated by the user's operation of the atomizer and outputs a first electrical signal. The atomizer outputs a drive signal to acquire a second pressure, which is included in the first electrical signal output by the piezoelectric sensor at the second moment based on the pressure generated by the user's operation of the atomizer. When the second pressure is greater than the first pressure, the atomizer responds to the first electrical signal and adjusts the output power according to the pressure value contained in the first electrical signal.

[0012] On the other hand, the atomizer obtains the user's inhalation activity through the microphone and outputs a second electrical signal; after receiving the second electrical signal, the atomizer responds to the first electrical signal and outputs power.

[0013] When the inhalation rate generated by the user's inhalation activity is less than a preset threshold, the atomizer receives the second electrical signal and drives the piezoelectric sensor to acquire the first electrical signal.

[0014] When the inhalation rate generated by the user's inhalation activity exceeds a preset threshold, the atomizer directly outputs power. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the touch-controlled atomizer provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the piezoelectric sensor in the embodiments provided in this application.

[0017] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0018] 1-Fluorosiloxane; 2-Electrode; 3-Fiber membrane; 4-Shielding layer; 5-Inner layer; 10-Atomizer; 101-Mouthpiece. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0020] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] On one hand, this application provides a touch-controlled atomizer, which is equipped with a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor detects the user's touch on the atomizer, thereby activating different operating modes of the atomizer based on the touch action. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the atomizer 10 includes a mouthpiece 101 and at least one piezoelectric sensor mounted on the mouthpiece 101.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the piezoelectric sensor includes a surface layer, an inner layer 5, and a shielding layer 4. The surface layer includes an electrode 2 and a nanofiber membrane 3 made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The electrode 2 is etched on the front and back sides of the nanofiber membrane 3. The inner layer 5 is obtained by solution casting of carbon nanotubes into a PVDF-TrFE copolymer film. The shielding layer 4 is disposed between the surface layer and the inner layer 5 and is used for grounding. The shielding layer 4 is a silver-plated nylon mesh. Specifically, the surface layer, the shielding layer 4, and the inner layer 5 are connected by conductive silver paste.

[0023] Specifically, the surface layer is used for contact with the user. When the user touches the surface layer, the surface layer deforms under pressure, causing a change in resistance. This results in a voltage difference between the surface layer and the inner layer 5, and the voltage value varies with the size of the contact area between the surface layer and the user. Understandably, the larger the contact area between the user and the surface layer, the greater the voltage value.

[0024] The fiber membrane 3 is made of polyvinylidene fluoride using an electrospinning process. The fiber membrane 3 also has a porous structure with pore sizes ranging from 10 to 50 μm.

[0025] When a user comes into contact with the surface through their mouth, liquids or moisture from the user's mouth will adhere to the surface. A 3μm layer of fluorosiloxane 1 is coated on the surface of the fiber membrane 3 to form a humidity barrier, and the surface has a water contact angle of 150°.

[0026] In the use of piezoelectric sensors, the sensor can be fixed to the surface of an object operated by the user. This object can be a surface extending laterally, a surface extending longitudinally, or a combination thereof, allowing the piezoelectric sensor to sense the user's touch on the object from different surfaces. The piezoelectric sensor releases a corresponding electrical signal indicating the size of the contact area between the user and the object. Understandably, the user can apply different levels of pressure to the piezoelectric sensor to obtain a service corresponding to that pressure.

[0027] The suction nozzle may include a first side that contacts the user's upper lip, a second side that contacts the user's lower lip, and a third side connecting the first and second sides, or a fourth side disposed opposite to the third side. A piezoelectric sensor may be mounted on at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sides. It is understood that the suction nozzle may be trapezoidal, conical, or cylindrical, and its cross-section may be annular or rectangular.

[0028] When the user holds the atomizer through their mouth, at least one of the upper or lower lip comes into contact with the piezoelectric sensor. The surface of the piezoelectric sensor is subjected to pressure by the lips and converts the pressure into an electrical signal for release. The atomizer is driven by the electrical signal to output power and realize the atomizer to turn on or generate aerosol.

[0029] The atomizer has multiple piezoelectric sensors, which are divided into multiple pressure sensing areas along the length or circumference of the mouthpiece. Specifically, the piezoelectric sensors may be divided into multiple sensing units based on the mouthpiece shape or the number of sides of the mouthpiece, and these sensing units or piezoelectric sensors do not interfere with each other. Each sensing unit releases an electrical signal representing a different pressure value due to the influence of its pressure sensing area. For example, a user can change the contact area by sliding their lips on the sensing surface of the piezoelectric sensor; or move their lips to a preset area to trigger the corresponding electrical signal output by that preset area.

[0030] Furthermore, the atomizer can determine whether to respond to a touch event based on the corresponding pressure value or the voltage value converted from pressure, in order to provide a service corresponding to the event. This service includes, but is not limited to, the atomizer entering standby mode, transitioning from standby to active mode, generating aerosol, and increasing the power of aerosol generation. For example, a piezoelectric sensor can respond to a touch event, transitioning from standby to active mode, and awaiting the next event to trigger the next action of the atomizer. Alternatively, a piezoelectric sensor can respond to a touch event, causing the atomizer to output power and generate aerosol.

[0031] Specifically, the user repeatedly touches the piezoelectric sensor, and the atomizer collects continuous pressure values ​​through the sensor. When the pressure applied to the piezoelectric sensor a second time is greater than the first time, the atomizer can switch from standby to active state. When the pressure applied a second time is less than the first time, the atomizer may not respond, indicating that the piezoelectric sensor has been falsely activated. Specifically, the atomizer continuously collects data within a time range of 1-5 seconds. At least two piezoelectric sensor touches within this time range will be collected and recorded, and compared with the data using the atomizer's controller.

[0032] On the other hand, the atomizer in this application also includes a controller and a microphone. The microphone is electrically connected in parallel with the piezoelectric sensor to the controller. The microphone is used to collect changes in airflow in the atomizer to generate an electrical signal. The controller is driven by the electrical signal to collect the piezoelectric sensor to collect the user's touch action on the atomizer.

[0033] The user inhales the aerosol produced by the atomizer through the mouthpiece. During inhalation, outside air passes through the atomizer and is supplied to the user via the mouthpiece. The microphone senses changes in airflow velocity or internal air pressure on the atomizer, generating a second electrical signal. Based on this second electrical signal, the atomizer determines that the user has requested to inhale the aerosol. In response to this request, the atomizer uses a piezoelectric sensor to detect whether the mouthpiece is outputting a first electrical signal. Upon detecting the first electrical signal, the atomizer selects the appropriate output power and outputs the corresponding power when inhalation occurs to generate the aerosol.

[0034] In daily life, when users are carrying the atomizer, the microphone may be accidentally touched, and the atomizer will collect a second electrical signal. In some embodiments, when the inhalation rate generated by the user's inhalation activity is less than a preset threshold, the atomizer receives the second electrical signal and drives the piezoelectric sensor to acquire the first electrical signal. Specifically, when the inhalation rate is less than 200 Pa / s, the atomizer does not take any further action. Even if the pressure value received by the piezoelectric sensor meets the conditions for triggering the atomizer to generate aerosol, the atomizer will not collect the first electrical signal through the piezoelectric sensor.

[0035] Understandably, when the inhalation rate generated by the user's inhalation activity exceeds 200 Pa / s, the atomizer directly outputs power. Furthermore, the atomizer prioritizes adjusting the power based on the inhalation rate captured by the microphone.

[0036] The above description is only a part or preferred embodiment of this utility model. Neither the text nor the drawings should limit the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this utility model specification and drawings under the overall concept of this utility model, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A touch-controlled atomizer, characterized in that, The atomizer includes a mouthpiece and at least one piezoelectric sensor mounted on the mouthpiece. The piezoelectric sensor is used to detect user touch on the mouthpiece to control the power of the atomizer. The piezoelectric sensor includes: The surface layer includes two independent electrodes and a nanofiber membrane made of polyvinylidene fluoride. The two electrodes are etched on the front and back sides of the fiber membrane and are electrically connected through the fiber membrane. The inner layer was obtained by solution casting of carbon nanotubes in a polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer film. A shielding layer, disposed between the outer and inner layers and used for grounding, is a Faraday cage made of silver-plated nylon.

2. The atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pore size of the fiber membrane is 10-50 μm.

3. The atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the fiber membrane is coated with 3μm fluorosiloxane, and the water contact angle of the surface layer is 150°.

4. The atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two electrodes respectively divide the fiber membrane into multiple independent sensing units.

5. The atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface layer, the shielding layer, and the inner layer are connected and fixed together by conductive silver paste.

6. The atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The atomizer has multiple piezoelectric sensors, which are divided into multiple pressure acquisition zones along the length or circumference of the mouthpiece.

7. The atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The atomizer also includes a controller and a microphone. The microphone and the piezoelectric sensor are electrically connected in parallel to the controller. The microphone is used to collect changes in airflow in the atomizer to generate an electrical signal. The controller is driven by the electrical signal to collect the piezoelectric sensor to collect the user's touch action on the atomizer.

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