inhaler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalers using piezoelectric element substrates for atomizing liquids face inefficiencies in aerosol production, particularly in achieving desired particle sizes and maintaining atomizing efficiency under power limitations.
Innovation Solution
The inhaler design incorporates a piezoelectric element substrate with a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes, a liquid storage system for nicotine and flavor components, and a controller that adjusts the high-frequency voltage's amplitude and frequency to optimize aerosol production, using a surface acoustic wave to atomize liquids and control the aerosol flow paths to achieve desired particle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piezoelectric element substrate with IDT is used to generate surface acoustic waves for atomizing liquid, then aerosol generation is enabled, but atomizing efficiency is insufficient and desired particle sizes cannot be achieved under power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the piezoelectric element substrate, including using specific piezoelectric materials (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, Pb1-xLaxZr1-yTiyO3, Pb(Mg3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3) with controlled composition ratios, adjusting substrate thickness (0.5-2.0 mm), and optimizing electrode patterns to achieve resonant frequencies that maximize atomizing efficiency while minimizing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration through surface acoustic waves generated by the piezoelectric element. The IDT electrodes generate high-frequency vibrations (20-100 kHz) on the piezoelectric substrate surface, which directly atomize the liquid supplied to the atomization surface, enabling efficient aerosol generation without excessive power consumption
2Manufacturing precision
If high-frequency voltage is applied to interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes to generate surface acoustic waves, then liquid atomization occurs, but aerosol particle size control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating heterogeneous electrode patterns on the piezoelectric substrate surface. Different regions have electrodes with varying spacing, width, and orientation to generate localized vibration patterns that produce specific aerosol particle sizes in different zones, enabling precise particle size control through spatially differentiated electrode designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by making the electrode configuration adjustable. The interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes can be repositioned or reconfigured to change the surface acoustic wave patterns, allowing dynamic adjustment of aerosol particle size and distribution based on operational requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple liquids (nicotine and flavor components) are atomized separately, then comprehensive aerosol composition is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple liquid storage and supply functions into a single integrated atomization system. Multiple liquid reservoirs containing nicotine and flavor components are combined and supplied to a unified piezoelectric atomization surface, where all liquids are atomized simultaneously by the same surface acoustic wave field, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatile aerosol composition
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric element substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as the structural base, the vibration-generating element, and the common atomization surface for all liquid components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate atomization mechanisms for each liquid type, simplifying the overall device structure while enabling comprehensive aerosol composition
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 configuration enhances atomizing efficiency, allowing for the production of aerosols with desired particle sizes, improving user experience by ensuring consistent and effective delivery of nicotine and flavor components.
Implementation Method 1
atomize liquid by a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes
Implementation Method 2
piezoelectric element substrate having an IDT constructed by use of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A inhaler includes a piezoelectric element substrate having an IDT constructed by use of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes, a liquid supplier for supplying liquid, which is to be atomized, to a front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate on which the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes is positioned, a sensor, which comprises at least a pair of detection parts which are opposite to each other, for detecting liquid supplied to the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate, and a controller for controlling, based on result of detection by the sensor, the liquid supplier in such a manner that the liquid supplier supplies a certain quantity of the liquid to the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate.