Air-Mixing Atomizing Nozzle for Residue-Free Aerosol Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating systems face issues with clogging due to residue formation and inefficient volatilization, leading to maintenance challenges and slow atomization.
Innovation Solution
An atomizing assembly with a tubing section and atomizing nozzle that mixes air flow with liquid aerosol-forming substrate, enhancing atomization by distributing the liquid into small droplets and ensuring uniform volatilization without residues, using a pumping unit or pressurized storage with a one-way valve for controlled delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid material is heated indirectly through a tube or capillary wick, then the liquid can be volatilized, but heat is lost during the energy transfer process and volatilization is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid material from the confining tube and delivers it directly to the heating element as a free-flowing liquid or spray. This eliminates the intermediate heating step through the tube wall, allowing direct thermal contact between the heating element and liquid material, thereby reducing heat loss and accelerating volatilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carrier gas as an intermediary medium that transports the liquid material to the heating zone. The carrier gas facilitates efficient heat and mass transfer, enabling rapid volatilization while minimizing energy loss through direct contact with the heating element.
2Productivity
If liquid material is heated in a confined tube volume, then volatilization occurs, but the process is slow due to the substantial amount of liquid to be volatilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid material into smaller droplets or thinner films before heating, increasing the surface area-to-volume ratio. This segmentation occurs through spray mechanisms or direct delivery systems that break up the liquid, enabling much faster volatilization rates and higher productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from confined one-dimensional tube heating to a multi-dimensional open heating zone. The liquid material is delivered in a spray or film configuration that utilizes three-dimensional space around the heating element, dramatically increasing the effective heating surface area and volatilization speed.
3Reliability
If heating is performed through a tube or capillary wick, then liquid transport occurs, but residues are created that cause clogging and alter liquid transport properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid material from the tube-based delivery system and delivers it directly to the heating element. This eliminates the tube walls from contact with the liquid during heating, preventing residue formation on the heating surfaces and maintaining consistent liquid transport properties throughout the device lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of residue formation into a benefit by using a disposable or easily cleanable delivery system. The tubing section is designed to be replaceable or self-cleaning, transforming the residue issue into a simple maintenance task rather than a performance-degrading problem.
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 system achieves reproducible and efficient aerosol generation with reduced droplet size and uniform distribution, minimizing residues and improving volatilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing atomization by distributing the liquid into small droplets
Implementation Method 2
A heating element surrounds the tube. The liquid material within the tube is volatilized upon activation of the heater
Implementation Method 3
The liquid material within the tube is volatilized upon activation of the heater. Upon volatilization the liquid material expands and exits the open end of the tube in gaseous form
Data Source
AI summary
An atomizing assembly includes a tubing section having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end of the tubing section is connectable to a liquid storage portion, and the outlet end of the tubing section is in fluid communication with an atomizing nozzle. The tubing section is configured to deliver a flow of liquid aerosol-forming substrate through the atomizing nozzle. The atomizing nozzle includes an air channel configured to establish an air flow through the nozzle. The air flow is mixed with the flow of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.