Liquid Atomizer Spray Plate Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid atomizers face issues with noise generation, reduced service life of the spray plate, and low atomization efficiency due to excessive vibration and energy consumption, particularly in medical applications where precise droplet size and low noise are critical.

Innovation Solution

A liquid atomizer design that secures a spray plate between a vibrating element and a structure element, with a smaller secondary hole diameter than the primary hole, reducing the vibration area and confining energy to the center, thereby minimizing unnecessary vibration and energy consumption, and using a piezoelectric plate and elastic body to stabilize vibration frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the entire spray plate vibrates under the driving of the vibrating element, then the liquid can be pushed through the spray holes to form mist, but the spray plate tends to fatigue easily and the atomization efficiency decreases due to increased vibration area and load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoidservice life of spray plate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the spray plate into two functional zones: a central vibration area that actively participates in atomization and a peripheral non-vibration area that provides structural support. This segmentation is achieved by optimizing the spray plate's geometric parameters (radius ratio, hole distribution) so that only the central region experiences significant vibration while the periphery remains relatively stationary, reducing fatigue in the support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional properties to different regions of the spray plate. The central region is designed with higher vibration amplitude and density of spray holes for active atomization, while the peripheral region has lower vibration and fewer holes, serving primarily as a structural support ring. This local differentiation reduces overall vibration energy consumption and extends spray plate life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If a larger area of the spray plate vibrates to push liquid through spray holes, then more liquid can be atomized, but the load on the spray plate increases reducing atomization efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of liquid atomizedVSAvoidatomization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by designing the spray plate so that only a portion (the central region) undergoes significant vibration for liquid ejection, while the peripheral region remains relatively stationary. This partial vibration approach concentrates energy where needed for atomization without the excessive energy consumption that would result from vibrating the entire spray plate area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the spray plate vibrates in a large area, then liquid can be pushed through more spray holes, but the working frequency drifts due to air vibration and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization coverageVSAvoidworking frequency stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spray plate into a central active vibration zone and a peripheral stable support zone. The peripheral region, with its larger radius and structural design, acts as a stable anchor that resists frequency drift caused by air vibration, while the central zone maintains the working frequency for effective atomization.

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

The design reduces noise, enhances the service life of the spray plate, prevents working frequency drift, and improves atomization efficiency by concentrating vibration energy and reducing peripheral vibration, leading to more efficient and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

Mechanical oscillation type atomizer has been the dominant type of medical atomizer in recent years that largely uses ultrasonic vibration generated by piezoelectric material to atomize liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

uses piezoelectric material to vibrate a spray plate causing it to push out the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1916037B1Liquid atomizer
Publication Date: 2012.11.14 IND TECH RES INST
  • EP1916037B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1916037B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP1916037B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present invention provides a liquid atomizer (20) for atomizing liquid and applied in an atomizing device (100) having an accommodating space (12) and a through hole (13). The liquid atomizer (20) includes a vibrating element (30) having a first hole (31) corresponding to the through hole (13); a spray plate (40) having a plurality of spraying holes (41) corresponding to the first hole (31) and being connected with the vibrating element (30); and a structure element (50) having a second hole (51) corresponding to the plurality of spraying holes (41) of the spray plate (40) and being connected with the spray plate (40) so that the spray plate (40) is disposed between the vibrating element (30) and the structure element (50). The vibrating element (30), the spray plate (40) and the structure element (50) are assembled in the accommodating space (12) of the atomizing device (100). Liquids are atomized via the spraying holes (41) of the spray plate (40).