Atomizer Hydrophobic Coating Prevents Droplet Accumulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic cigarettes using tobacco liquids suffer from aerosol condensation in the aerosol channel, leading to droplet accumulation on the inner walls, which affects user experience by causing unpleasant tastes and inhalation of residual droplets during subsequent use.
Innovation Solution
The atomizer features a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface coating on the aerosol channel components, such as the air pipe and mouthpiece, preventing droplet accumulation by allowing condensed droplets to flow back and be re-atomized, utilizing nano-materials like nano-titanium dioxide, polytetrafluoroethylene, and fluorocarbon polymer layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the aerosol channel has certain travel length, then the aerosol can be properly formed and expelled, but condensed droplets accumulate on the inner wall during storage and subsequent smoking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface property parameter changes by coating the aerosol channel inner wall with hydrophobic and oleophobic materials. This changes the surface energy characteristics, causing condensed droplets to bead up and roll off rather than adhere to the channel walls, thereby eliminating the harmful accumulation effect while preserving the necessary channel length for aerosol formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful condensation phenomenon into a beneficial effect by using the condensation process itself to demonstrate the effectiveness of the hydrophobic coating. The condensed droplets that would normally accumulate and cause harm instead roll down the coated surface and are re-vaporized, turning a potential defect into a feature that maintains aerosol quality.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the aerosol channel inner wall is coated with hydrophobic and oleophobic surface, then condensed droplets are prevented from accumulating, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film coating technologies that can be applied as disposable or easily replaceable layers on the aerosol channel. These coatings, such as fluoropolymer or siloxane layers, can be deposited using cost-effective methods and replaced if needed, avoiding the need for complex permanent structural modifications while achieving the desired antifouling effect.
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
Prevents the accumulation of condensed droplets on the inner walls of the aerosol channel, ensuring a cleaner and improved user experience by ensuring droplets are re-atomized and not inhaled, thus maintaining the quality of the aerosol during subsequent smoking sessions.
Implementation Method 1
The aerosol channel is formed by a member that has a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface or oleophobic surface disposed on an inner wall thereof
Implementation Method 2
The aerosol channel is formed by a member that has a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface or oleophobic surface disposed on an inner wall thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An atomizer having an antifouling structure and an electronic cigarette having the same are disclosed. The atomizer includes a device housing and an atomizing unit disposed inside the device housing. The device housing defines therein a liquid storage chamber configured for storing tobacco liquid. The atomizing unit is configured for atomizing the tobacco liquid to produce an aerosol. The device housing further includes an aerosol channel in communication with the atomizing unit and is configured for expelling the aerosol. The antifouling structure mainly includes a hydrophobic oleophobic surface or super oleophobic surface formed on an inner wall of a member forming the aerosol channel or the liquid storage chamber. The antifouling structure prevents condensed droplets from accumulating and adhering to the inner wall of the aerosol channel or the liquid storage chamber, thereby avoiding users inhaling the condensed droplets into their mouths when smoking next time.