Piezoelectric Atomizer Frequency Tracking for Viscous Fluids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piezoelectric transducers struggle with effectively atomizing viscous liquids without heating, leading to reduced efficacy and quality of liquid or medication delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that dynamically adjust the operating frequency of a piezoelectric device based on the phase relationship between the switching voltage and sensed voltage, using a controller to increase or decrease frequency as needed to maintain resonance, thereby optimizing atomization of viscous fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional piezoelectric transducer is used to atomize oil-based or viscous liquids, then atomization may be achieved, but the performance is insufficient and requires dilution or heating which impacts medication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency tracking by continuously monitoring the phase relationship between driving voltage and current, and adjusting the operating frequency in real-time to maintain resonance. This dynamic adaptation allows the piezoelectric transducer to effectively atomize viscous and oil-based liquids without dilution or heating, resolving the contradiction between atomization efficiency and effectiveness for challenging fluids.
2Ease of operation
If liquid is diluted to enable delivery by conventional nebulizer, then atomization can be achieved, but the quality or efficacy of the liquid or medication is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter (frequency) of the piezoelectric transducer to match the resonant frequency dynamically, enabling effective atomization of undiluted viscous and oil-based liquids. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain medication quality and efficacy while achieving deliverability, eliminating the need for dilution.
3Productivity
If liquid is intentionally heated to enable vaporization, then atomization can be achieved, but the quality or efficacy of the liquid or medication is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration at resonant frequency of the piezoelectric transducer to achieve atomization without heating. By operating at peak vibration amplitude through dynamic frequency tracking, the system enables effective atomization of viscous and oil-based liquids while preserving medication quality and efficacy, eliminating the harmful thermal effect.
4Ease of operation
If operating frequency is fixed, then device operation is simple, but resonant frequency drift causes reduced vibration amplitude and atomization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the phase relationship between driving voltage and current, and using this information to adjust the operating frequency dynamically. This feedback mechanism maintains resonance and peak vibration amplitude despite resonant frequency drift, ensuring continuous efficient atomization while keeping the control logic relatively simple through automated phase-based frequency adjustment.
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
Enables efficient atomization of viscous fluids without heating, ensuring consistent and high-quality delivery of liquids or medications.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric transducer is used to agitate a liquid so that cavitation results, and droplets or micro-droplets of the liquid can be formed
Implementation Method 2
A piezoelectric transducer is used to agitate a liquid so that cavitation results, and droplets or micro-droplets of the liquid can be formed
Data Source
AI summary
There is presented a method for driving a piezoelectric device and an atomizer for atomizing a fluid, and an atomization method for a fluid using a piezoelectric device; the atomizer employs a piezoelectric device and circuitry that uses a switching voltage across the piezoelectric device at an operating frequency; sensing a sensed voltage corresponding to a phase of the piezoelectric device; and responsive to whether the sensed voltage is in phase or out of phase relative to the switching voltage, changing the operating frequency provided to the piezoelectric device, and the changing is one of: increasing the operating frequency by a first value, or decreasing the operating frequency by a second value.