Atomizer Blocking Component for Liquid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic cigarettes generate burnt flavor and peculiar smells when laid flat or tilted due to rapid tobacco liquid flow, leading to insufficient liquid in the atomizing assembly.
Innovation Solution
An atomizer with a blocking component, including a blocking ring and insert tubes, is designed to prevent rapid tobacco liquid flow from the reservoir's lower end to the upper end, ensuring liquid is retained around the atomizing assembly, comprising a reservoir, atomizing assembly, and a gas tube with a vent for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the electronic cigarette is laid flat or tilted with tail upwards, then the tobacco liquid flows quickly toward the mouthpiece, but the atomizing assembly lacks sufficient tobacco liquid leading to burnt flavor and peculiar smell
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking component acts as an intermediary element between the reservoir and the atomizing assembly. It selectively controls liquid flow by blocking rapid downward flow when the device is tilted or laid flat, while allowing normal capillary absorption when the device is in upright position. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by intervening in the liquid flow path based on device orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking component utilizes the dynamic change in liquid flow direction and pressure caused by device orientation. When the device is tilted or laid flat, gravity causes liquid to flow rapidly downward, and the blocking component intercepts this flow. When upright, capillary action dominates and liquid flows upward to the atomizing assembly normally. This dynamic response to orientation changes resolves the contradiction between flow speed and atomization quality.
2Reliability
If the blocking component is added to prevent rapid liquid flow, then the atomization quality is maintained, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking component is segmented into multiple functional parts: a blocking ring with blocking holes for selective flow control, and insert tubes for structural support and alignment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure modular and manageable, reducing the complexity burden of adding flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking ring incorporates blocking holes that function as porous structures, allowing controlled liquid passage while maintaining the blocking function. This porous design enables the component to simultaneously achieve flow restriction and selective permeability, adding functionality without requiring complex mechanical structures.
3Quantity of substance
If the blocking ring blocks tobacco liquid flow, then liquid is retained around the atomizing assembly, but the gas tube communication may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking ring is segmented with multiple blocking holes distributed around its structure. This segmentation allows gas to pass through the blocking ring via multiple pathways while liquid flow is restricted by surface tension and viscosity effects that are more pronounced in small holes. The segmented structure simultaneously achieves liquid retention and gas communication.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the blocking ring have different functional qualities: the blocking holes provide liquid retention through capillary effects, while the overall ring structure with vent holes provides gas communication pathways. This local differentiation of functional qualities allows the single component to resolve the contradiction between liquid quantity maintenance and gas flow ease.
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 blocking component effectively keeps tobacco liquid around the atomizing assembly, preventing burnt flavors and ensuring a consistent user experience by slowing down liquid flow, thus maintaining adequate liquid for atomization.
Implementation Method 1
the atomizing assembly is disposed inside the reservoir, at a lower end of the reservoir, and configured to absorb tobacco liquid for atomization
Implementation Method 2
the heating element is disposed inside the liquid conducting component to heat and atomize tobacco liquid absorbed by the liquid conducting component
Implementation Method 3
the blocking component is disposed in the reservoir, and configured for blocking tobacco liquid in the reservoir when tobacco liquid flowing from the lower end of the reservoir toward an upper end thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic cigarette and an atomizer are disclosed, the atomizer includes a reservoir (110) configured for storing tobacco liquid, an atomizing assembly (120) disposed inside the reservoir, at a lower end of the reservoir, and configured to absorb tobacco liquid for atomization and a blocking component (130) disposed in the reservoir, and configured for blocking tobacco liquid in the reservoir when tobacco liquid flows from the lower end of the reservoir toward an upper end thereof, such that tobacco liquid is kept around the atomizing assembly, and hence avoiding few tobacco liquid existing in the atomizing assembly because of rapid flowing of the tobacco liquid such that the electronic cigarette may generate burnt flavor when smoked.