Ultrasonic Atomizer Wick Vibration for Clog-Free Vapor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current atomizers face issues with clogged fine holes, difficulty in cleaning and sterilizing, high replacement costs, and impracticality for constant vapor output due to the design of vibrating mesh or fibrous wick systems.
Innovation Solution
An atomizer design featuring a sealed, removable cartridge with a wick that vibrates with an ultrasonic transducer, using capillary action to disperse liquid, and incorporating magnets or springs for positioning, along with an authentication chip and optical sensors for operation control, allowing for efficient and cost-effective vaporization with constant output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mesh plate with fine holes is used for liquid dispersal, then the liquid can be effectively atomized, but the fine holes become clogged with dried particulates over time, diminishing vapor output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mesh plate with fine holes from the system entirely, replacing it with a wick-based liquid delivery mechanism. This extraction eliminates the clogging problem while maintaining atomization function through a different physical approach using capillary action and ultrasonic vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the system: a porous wick material for liquid absorption and transport, and an ultrasonic transducer for vibration-based atomization. This local differentiation of material qualities allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without the drawbacks of a mesh plate.
2Device complexity
If a mesh plate is permanently attached to the transducer, then the structure is simplified, but the mesh plate cannot be easily removed for cleaning and sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the atomizer into separable components: a removable cartridge containing the wick and a separate transducer unit. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement without disassembling the entire device, significantly improving maintenance ease while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fibrous wick material is used instead of a mesh plate, then manufacturing cost is reduced and disposal is easier, but the wick must be thin enough for acoustic energy penetration which limits liquid delivery capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a wick with optimized thickness and porosity that dynamically balances acoustic energy transmission and liquid capillary flow. The wick's physical properties are tuned to allow sufficient ultrasonic vibration transmission for atomization while maintaining adequate liquid delivery capacity through capillary action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the wick material, specifically its thickness and porosity, to optimize the balance between acoustic energy penetration and liquid delivery. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves both cost-effectiveness and adequate vapor output.
4Productivity
If a thick wick material is used to deliver sufficient liquid, then liquid delivery is improved, but the acoustic energy is dampened and vapor output is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wick's physical parameters, particularly thickness and porosity, to achieve the optimal balance point where liquid delivery is sufficient while acoustic energy transmission remains adequate for effective atomization.
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 provides a reliable, cost-effective atomizer with constant vapor output, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and replacement, and ensuring proper operation and authentication of cartridges, suitable for various liquids including viscous ones.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating transducer in contact with another end of the wick; the transducer, wick and cartridge of liquid are arranged to allow a capillary volume of liquid from the wick to vibrate together
Implementation Method 2
a wick with one end in communication with the liquid and a vibrating transducer in contact with another end of the wick; the cartridge, wick and transducer are arranged to allow a capillary volume of liquid from the wick to vibrate together
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus has an atomizer for the dispersal of a liquid and has an enclosed removable cartridge assembly with a reservoir of liquid and a wick with one end in communication with the liquid and a vibrating transducer in contact with another end of the wick; the transducer, wick and cartridge of liquid are arranged to allow a capillary volume of liquid from the wick to vibrate together to disperse the liquid in a direction away from the wick.