E-Cigarette Atomizer Airflow Layout to Reduce Aerosol Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarette atomizers suffer from aerosol retention in the atomizing cavity, leading to condensed liquid contamination and reduced smoking efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The atomizer design includes staggered air inlets and a shielding part to guide airflow through the atomizing cavity, with a collection cavity for condensed liquid, reducing aerosol retention and preventing liquid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aerosol is allowed to diffuse throughout the atomizing cavity, then complete airflow circulation is achieved, but aerosol retention occurs leading to condensed liquid contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoking efficiencyVSAvoidcondensed liquid contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful function of the atomizing cavity by introducing a shielding part that blocks the cavity from the air inlet. This prevents aerosol retention and condensed liquid formation while maintaining the cavity's role in aerosol generation. The shielding part effectively removes the problematic interaction between stagnant aerosol and the air inlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding part acts as an intermediary element between the atomizing cavity and the air inlet. It mediates the airflow path to prevent direct contact between retained aerosol and the air inlet, thereby eliminating condensed liquid contamination while preserving the atomizing cavity's functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If air inlet is positioned directly opposite to atomizing surface, then airflow circulation is simplified, but aerosol retention in corners occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow path structureVSAvoidaerosol retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the air inlet into multiple inlets positioned at different locations rather than using a single centralized inlet. This segmentation allows airflow to reach different regions of the atomizing cavity more effectively, preventing aerosol retention in corners while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-point air inlet configuration to a multi-point distributed configuration. By adding spatial distribution in multiple dimensions, the airflow can penetrate deeper into the atomizing cavity and eliminate dead zones where aerosol would otherwise be retained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If single air inlet is used, then device structure is simplified, but liquid guide amount is difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair inlet configurationVSAvoidliquid guide control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the single air inlet into multiple air inlets distributed across different positions. This segmentation provides independent control over airflow distribution, enabling precise control of liquid guidance and atomization while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Improves smoking efficiency by minimizing aerosol retention and condensed liquid production, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a heating body configured for heating and atomizing the liquid absorbed by the porous body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

heating and atomizing the liquid absorbed by the porous body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 3

a porous body configured for absorbing the liquid from the liquid storage cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

external air enters the atomizer from the air inlet, and then carries the aerosol to output through the smoke conveying pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3991580B1Electronic cigarette atomiser and electronic cigarette
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECH CO LTD
  • EP3991580B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3991580B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3991580B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An atomizer for electronic cigarette and an electronic cigarette (100'), the atomizer for electronic cigarette comprising an outer shell (10, 10b) and an end cover (20, 20b); a liquid storage cavity (30, 30b, 111') and an atomizing assembly (40, 40b, 10') are arranged inside the outer shell (10, 10b); the atomizing assembly (40, 40b, 10') comprises a porous body (41) and a heat generating body (42, 42a, 22'); the porous body (41) comprises a first side part (413) and a second side part (414) arranged opposite to one another, and an atomizing surface (412, 41b, 211') extending from the first side part (413) to the second side part (414), and the heat generating body (42, 42a, 22') being arranged on the atomizing surface (412, 41b, 211'); the atomizing surface (412, 41b, 211') and the end cover are spaced apart a certain distance and form an atomizing cavity (60, 60b, 121'), the atomizing cavity (60, 60b, 121') being in fluid communication with a smoke outlet channel by means of communication openings, and air inlets (25, 25a, 25b) being disposed on the end cover (20, 20b) or the outer shell (10, 10b); the air inlets (25, 25a, 25b) are arranged close to the first side part (413) along the direction of extension of the atomizing surface (412), and the communication openings are arranged close to the second side part (414) along the direction of extension of the atomizing surface (412), such that the air flow entering the atomizing cavity (60, 60b, 121') from the air inlets (25, 25a, 25b) flows towards the communication openings along the direction of extension of the atomizing surface (412, 41b, 211'). During suction of the atomizer, the air flow passes through the entire atomizing cavity (60, 60b, 121'), so that the aerosols escaping from the atomizing surface can be guided out with the air flow as much as possible to reduce entrapment.