Nebulizer Negative Pressure Structure for Viscous Liquid Atomization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nebulizers face challenges in effectively nebulizing liquids with low surface tension and high viscosity due to issues with pressure equilibrium and molecular forces, leading to clogging and inefficient nebulization.

Innovation Solution

A nebulizer with a negative pressure structure that includes a carrying cavity with a through hole, a nebulizing element with a piezoelectric driving unit, and a negative pressure generating element that reduces air pressure within the cavity, facilitating effective nebulization of liquids with low surface tension and high viscosity by creating a pressure equilibrium that prevents spilling and enhances air-liquid exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If positive pressure is applied in the cavity to attach nebulized liquid onto the spray hole, then liquid spilling is prevented for general surface tension liquids, but liquid spilling cannot be controlled for low surface tension and high viscosity liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid attachment stabilityVSAvoidapplicability to different liquid types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from positive to negative, transforming the pressure state in the cavity from positive pressure to negative pressure. This parameter change enables the system to handle low surface tension and high viscosity liquids by creating a pressure differential that prevents liquid spilling while maintaining nebulization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If negative pressure is applied in the cavity to prevent liquid spilling for low surface tension liquids, then pressure equilibrium is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid spilling controlVSAvoidpressure control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the negative pressure generation function as a separate component (negative pressure generating element) from the main nebulization body. This extracted component can be a simple structure such as a pump, valve, or elastic element that creates negative pressure in the cavity, thereby controlling liquid spilling without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If conventional pressure equilibrium is maintained, then spray hole clogging is prevented for general liquids, but nebulization efficiency drops for high viscosity liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenebulization efficiencyVSAvoidspray hole畅通性

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional pressure approach by applying negative pressure instead of positive pressure in the cavity. This inversion creates a pressure differential that pulls liquid through the spray hole in a controlled manner, preventing clogging while maintaining high nebulization efficiency for viscous liquids by reversing the traditional pressure application method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 negative pressure structure effectively nebulizes liquids with low surface tension and high viscosity by maintaining a pressure state that reduces spilling and enhances the exchange of nebulized liquid and external air, improving nebulization efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The nebulizing element is installed at the through hole and includes a piezoelectric driving unit and a nebulizing plate disposed on a side of the piezoelectric driving unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The negative pressure generating element is formed on the carrying cavity and provided for changing the volume of the carrying cavity or removing air from the carrying cavity to reduce the air pressure in the carrying cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure generation: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 3

for a liquid having a low surface tension, the surface tension cannot be maintained stably due to the too-low surface tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 4

the liquid has a greater molecular weight and Van der Waals' forces between molecules, the adherence force between molecules drives the liquid to spill out from the spray hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVan der Waals force: Van der Waals Force

Data Source

PatentUS9566400B2Nebulizer with negative pressure structure

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 MICRO BASE TECH CORP

AI summary

A nebulizer with a negative pressure structure includes a nebulization body, a carrying cavity, a nebulizing element and a negative pressure generating element. The carrying cavity is provided for carrying a nebulized liquid and has a through hole. The nebulizing element is installed at the through hole and includes a piezoelectric driving unit and a nebulizing plate disposed on a side of the piezoelectric driving unit. The negative pressure generating element is formed on the carrying cavity and provided for changing the volume of the carrying cavity or removing air from the carrying cavity to reduce the air pressure in the carrying cavity, so as to nebulize a liquid of low surface tension or high viscosity effectively.