Liquid Jet Inhalation Device Ultrasonic Atomization Dry Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes, face issues with reliability and fidelity in droplet and vapor generation, particularly when liquid supply is limited, leading to inconsistent temperature and potential device damage due to dry firing.
Innovation Solution
An inhalation device with a compartment for storing liquid, a liquid jet device for on-demand drop production, a liquid conduit, and a sensor to detect liquid supply, along with a control unit to manage the liquid jet device based on sensor output, ensuring reliable operation by preventing dry firing and maintaining optimal orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a wick and coil system is used to vaporize liquid, then the vapor temperature is significantly raised above human body temperature, but the vapor may be perceived as too hot and the liquid supply may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional wick and coil mechanical vaporization system with an ultrasonic mesh device that uses ultrasonic vibrations to generate droplets. This substitution eliminates the need for high-temperature heating elements and wick-based liquid transport, thereby preventing overheating while maintaining reliable liquid supply through ultrasonic-driven droplet ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of liquid to droplets through ultrasonic vibration rather than thermal phase change. The ultrasonic mesh generates acoustic cavitation and vibration that directly eject liquid droplets without requiring significant temperature elevation, thus achieving vaporization/atomization while avoiding excessive heat.
2Temperature
If an ultrasonic mesh is used to deliver drops at room temperature, then the vapor is perceived as cold, but the liquid supply reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects whether the liquid supply is sufficient and provides feedback to a control unit. The control unit adjusts the operation of the ultrasonic mesh based on this feedback, ensuring that droplet generation continues reliably even when liquid levels change, thus maintaining supply reliability while keeping the vapor temperature comfortable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the ultrasonic mesh operation based on real-time liquid supply conditions. The system can adjust ultrasonic power, frequency, or activation patterns according to detected liquid availability, optimizing droplet generation reliability while maintaining comfortable vapor temperature.
3Productivity
If the liquid supply is limited or obstructed, then the droplet volume is reduced and temperature becomes uncontrolled, but continuing operation may cause device damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of liquid supply status through a sensor before droplet generation occurs. The control unit uses this advance information to prevent operation when liquid supply is insufficient, thereby avoiding the harmful effect of dry firing that could damage the ultrasonic mesh or other device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares for potential liquid supply issues by having the sensor continuously monitor liquid availability and the control unit ready to adjust or stop operation. This beforehand preparation prevents the harmful scenario of operating with insufficient liquid, cushioning against potential device damage before it can occur.
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 solution enhances the reliability and fidelity of vapor generation, preventing overheating and device damage by ensuring consistent liquid supply and proper orientation, thereby improving user experience and device longevity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one liquid jet device for producing on demand drops of said liquid
Implementation Method 2
a sensor arranged to detect a situation indicative of whether the liquid conduit can supply liquid to the liquid jet device
Data Source
AI summary
An inhalation device for generating from a liquid a vapour that can be inhaled by a user includes a compartment for holding a reservoir arranged to store an amount of a liquid to be vapourized, at least one liquid jet device for producing on demand drops of the liquid, a liquid conduit for guiding an amount of the liquid to the liquid jet device and arranged on one side of the compartment, a sensor arranged to detect a situation indicative of whether the liquid conduit can supply liquid to the liquid jet device and arranged on an opposite side of the compartment, and a control unit configured to control the liquid jet device based on the output of the sensor.