Piezoelectric E-Liquid Pumping for Stable Electronic Cigarette Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarette liquid supply devices face challenges in providing a stable and uniform e-liquid supply due to their large size and complex control systems, leading to insufficient or nonuniform atomization, which results in harmful substances like carbon monoxide and aldehydes, and reduces the smoking experience.
Innovation Solution
A compact electronic cigarette liquid supply device utilizing piezoelectric substrates with interdigital transducers and a radio frequency signal generator to generate surface acoustic waves for controlled e-liquid pumping, ensuring stable and uniform e-liquid supply through a chip-based design with low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If e-liquid is stored in a separate container and transferred via manual filling, then device structure is simplified, but contamination risk increases and filling precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An automated filling apparatus serves as an intermediary between the e-liquid container and the cartridge, providing a controlled transfer environment that prevents contamination while maintaining structural separation. The filling apparatus includes a needle that pierces the container seal and injects e-liquid through a controlled pathway, acting as a sterile bridge that eliminates direct manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a separate e-liquid storage container, an automated filling apparatus with piercing mechanism, and the cartridge unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the container maintains seal integrity, the filling apparatus provides controlled transfer, and the cartridge remains sterile until filled.
2Device complexity
If manual filling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but filling precision and air bubble control worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical filling process is replaced with an automated injection system that uses a piercing needle to deliver precise volumes of e-liquid. The system controls the filling process through mechanical injection mechanisms that can precisely meter the liquid volume and control the injection rate, eliminating the imprecision of manual pouring or syringe filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling apparatus performs self-contained operations including automatic needle piercing, controlled e-liquid injection, and seal engagement. The system autonomously manages the filling process without requiring manual intervention for each step, ensuring consistent precision through automated control of the injection parameters.
3Reliability
If e-liquid container uses screw cap closure, then sealing is achieved, but bacterial contamination risk increases due to repeated opening/closing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sealing by piercing the container cap with a needle before the actual filling operation. The needle creates a dedicated injection pathway that allows e-liquid transfer without requiring to open the screw cap, maintaining the cap's sealed state throughout the filling process and preventing bacterial ingress that would occur with repeated opening and closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling function is extracted from the cap opening/closing mechanism. Instead of opening the cap to fill the container, the system extracts the filling action through a piercing needle that injects liquid through the sealed cap, separating the sealing function from the filling function and eliminating the contamination risk associated with cap opening.
4Ease of operation
If cartridge is pre-filled during manufacturing, then convenience is improved, but storage space requirements and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides localized filling capability at the point of use or distribution rather than requiring centralized pre-filling during manufacturing. The portable filling apparatus enables cartridges to be filled on-demand at locations such as retail stores or user premises, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving the convenience of ready-to-use cartridges when needed.
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 device achieves a stable and controllable e-liquid supply, reducing harmful substance production and improving atomization quality, while being compact and safe for use in electronic cigarettes, with reduced heat generation and extended service life.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element positioned above the wick to heat the e-liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention discloses an electronic cigarette liquid supply device, including: the piezoelectric substrate (1), the insulating film (2), the first interdigital transducer (31), the second interdigital transducer (32), the liquid storage chamber (4), the flow channel (5) and the liquid outlet (7). The present invention further provides a liquid supply method using the electronic cigarette liquid supply device. The electronic cigarette liquid supply device is compartmentalized and improves the supply rate of e-liquid so that it is stable, uniform and controllable.