Aerosol Liquid Temperature Conduction for Stable Atomization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol supply devices are susceptible to fluctuations in liquid atomization rates due to variations in liquid viscosity and surface tension with temperature, leading to unstable aerosol production, and can be hindered by freezing under low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol supply device with a temperature control mechanism, including a piezoelectric substrate and an element-heat conduction part, stabilizes liquid temperature through heat dissipation and absorption, ensuring consistent atomization rates by controlling the temperature of the liquid between the accommodating and storing parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If no temperature control mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the atomization rate becomes unstable due to temperature variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidatomization rate stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the piezoelectric substrate to maintain stable atomization performance. The temperature control unit adjusts the substrate temperature based on detected values, ensuring that the surface acoustic wave properties remain consistent despite environmental temperature variations, thus stabilizing the atomization rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through a temperature detection unit that continuously monitors the piezoelectric substrate temperature and feeds this information to the temperature control unit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust and maintain the substrate temperature within an optimal range, ensuring stable atomization rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the liquid is supplied without temperature control, then the device operation is simple, but the liquid may freeze under low temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid supply operationVSAvoidaerosol generation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control unit actively manages the piezoelectric substrate temperature to prevent the supplied liquid from freezing. By maintaining the substrate above a critical temperature threshold, the system ensures that the liquid remains in liquid phase and can be properly atomized, preventing loss of aerosol generation capability during cold operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies beforehand cushioning by pre-heating or maintaining the piezoelectric substrate at an appropriate temperature before liquid supply. This preventive measure ensures that even if cold liquid is supplied, the substrate temperature is sufficient to prevent freezing, thereby cushioning against potential reliability failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the piezoelectric substrate temperature varies, then the device adapts to environmental conditions, but the atomization rate becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptationVSAvoidatomization rate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature detection unit continuously monitors the piezoelectric substrate temperature and provides feedback to the temperature control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to counteract environmental temperature variations by actively adjusting the substrate temperature, thereby maintaining consistent atomization rate despite changes in environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls the temperature parameter of the piezoelectric substrate to compensate for environmental variations. By actively adjusting this critical parameter, the system maintains stable surface acoustic wave properties and consistent atomization performance, achieving reliability through controlled parameter stabilization rather than passive environmental adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides stable aerosol supply by maintaining consistent atomization rates and preventing freezing, ensuring reliable operation across varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

atomizes a liquid supplied from each liquid feeder via a supply port, by using a surface acoustic wave generated by a piezoelectric substrate and comb-shaped electrodes formed on the piezoelectric substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface acoustic wave: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

surface acoustic wave generated by a piezoelectric substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

an element-heat conduction part connected to the piezoelectric substrate and to the accommodating part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4706416A2Aerosol supply device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4706416A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706416A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706416A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aerosol supply device (1) comprises an accommodating part (4) configured to accommodate a liquid (10); an atomization unit (5) having a storing part (5b) to store the liquid (10) supplied from the accommodating part (4), the atomization unit (5) being configured to generate an aerosol (11) by atomizing the liquid (10) stored in the storing part (5b); and a temperature control part (5a) configured to control a temperature of the liquid (10) at a given location between the accommodating part (4) and the storing part (5b); and further comprises: a housing (45) facing an outside of the aerosol supply device (1) and covering at least the accommodating part (4), wherein the temperature control part (5a) includes an external-heat conduction part (50) having thermal conductivity, the external-heat conduction part (50) being connected to the accommodating part (4) and to an outer surface of the housing (45).