Ultrasonic Aerosol Generation With Flat Wick Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic-based aerosol generation devices face high cartridge replacement costs due to the inclusion of expensive ultrasonic vibrators in the cartridge, and liquid refill methods complicate the device structure and can cause user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The device design features a flat wick and ultrasonic vibrator structure where the vibrator is positioned in the control main body, reducing cartridge costs and enhancing vapor production by maximizing vaporization area, with optimized airflow paths for improved aerosol quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ultrasonic vibrator is included in the cartridge, then the cartridge can be replaced easily, but the cartridge replacement cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a replaceable cartridge containing the liquid reservoir and wick, and a non-replaceable control main body containing the ultrasonic vibrator. This segmentation allows users to replace only the inexpensive cartridge while retaining the expensive ultrasonic vibrator, resolving the contradiction between replacement convenience and cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If liquid refill method is adopted, then cartridge replacement cost is reduced, but device structure becomes complicated and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid reservoir is extracted as a separate, self-contained cartridge that can be easily removed and replaced without disassembling the device. This extraction eliminates the need for complex refill mechanisms while maintaining low replacement cost, avoiding the structural complexity associated with refill systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the wick thickness is increased, then liquid storage capacity increases, but vaporization area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wick is designed with non-uniform thickness: a thinner central portion (0.1-1mm) that contacts the ultrasonic vibrator to maximize vaporization area, and a thicker peripheral portion that provides structural support and liquid storage. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between storage capacity and vaporization area by assigning different functions to different regions of the wick.
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
This design significantly reduces cartridge replacement costs, enhances vapor production, and improves smoking sensation by ensuring proper mixing of air and vaporized substrate, resulting in a high-quality aerosol.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic-based aerosol generation devices that vaporize a liquid through ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a wick configured to absorb the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided herein is an ultrasonic-based aerosol generation device. The aerosol generation device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a liquid reservoir configured to store an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid state, a wick configured to absorb the stored aerosol-forming substrate, an ultrasonic vibrator configured to vaporize the absorbed aerosol-forming substrate through ultrasonic waves to generate an aerosol, and a controller configured to control the ultrasonic vibrator. Here, at least a portion of the wick and at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibrator may be implemented to have a flat shape and may be disposed to come in close contact with each other. In this way, a vaporization area may be maximized, and vapor production may be significantly enhanced.