Surface Acoustic Wave Electronic Cigarette Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes face safety risks due to high-temperature heating, inefficient atomization, and contact-based atomization methods that lead to poor smoking quality and reduced service life, particularly with high-viscosity e-liquids and passive liquid guiding issues.
Innovation Solution
A surface acoustic wave electronic cigarette system utilizing a piezoelectric substrate with interdigital transducers to generate traveling and standing surface acoustic waves for active liquid guiding and non-contact atomization, concentrating energy for efficient atomization and precise liquid control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrothermal atomization is used to heat the e-liquid to high temperature for efficient atomization, then the atomization efficiency is improved, but the safety risk increases due to high-temperature pyrolysis releasing harmful ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (electrothermal heating) with an acoustic field (surface acoustic wave atomization). The interdigital transducer generates surface acoustic waves that directly atomize the e-liquid through mechanical vibration and cavitation effects, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating while maintaining efficient atomization performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of e-liquid from liquid to aerosol through acoustic cavitation and vibration effects. The surface acoustic waves create localized pressure variations that cause the e-liquid to form bubbles and break into fine droplets, achieving atomization without thermal phase transition
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasonic bulk acoustic wave atomization is used to atomize e-liquid, then the temperature is kept low for safety, but the energy diffuses uncontrollably resulting in high power consumption and low atomization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from bulk acoustic wave (three-dimensional volume propagation) to surface acoustic wave (two-dimensional surface propagation). This dimensional reduction confines the acoustic energy to the surface interface between the e-liquid and the piezoelectric substrate, preventing energy diffusion into the surrounding bulk medium and significantly improving energy utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The surface acoustic wave concentrates acoustic energy locally at the e-liquid surface where atomization is needed, rather than diffusing energy throughout the bulk medium. This localized energy concentration achieves effective atomization with lower overall power consumption
3Device complexity
If contact atomization with heating wire or vibrating reed is used, then the atomization process is simple, but the e-liquid sinteres and adheres to the heating element reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous coating layer as an intermediary between the piezoelectric substrate and the e-liquid. This coating layer serves as a working platform for atomization while preventing direct contact between the e-liquid and the substrate, eliminating sintering and adhesion issues while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the contact-based mechanical atomization (heating wire or vibrating reed directly touching e-liquid) with non-contact surface acoustic wave atomization. The acoustic waves penetrate the porous coating to atomize the e-liquid without requiring direct contact between the solid substrate and liquid, preventing adhesion and sintering
4Device complexity
If passive liquid guiding through capillary action is used, then the structure is simple, but the liquid guiding rate is uncontrollable and unstable affecting smoking quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive capillary action (surface tension-driven flow) with active acoustic streaming (acoustic radiation pressure-driven flow). The surface acoustic waves generate a unidirectional fluid flow that actively transports e-liquid from the storage tank through the porous coating to the atomization surface, providing controllable and stable liquid supply rate
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic streaming effect is self-regulating: when liquid flow increases, the acoustic field adjusts to maintain optimal atomization conditions, and vice versa. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures stable liquid guiding without complex external control systems
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 system achieves stable and uniform aerosol production with smaller particle diameters, reduced heat generation, and extended service life by actively guiding liquids and preventing e-liquid contact with heating elements, enhancing safety and smoking experience.
Implementation Method 1
a surface acoustic wave electronic cigarette system utilizing a piezoelectric substrate with interdigital transducers to generate traveling and standing surface acoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
Based on an acoustic streaming effect of the surface acoustic wave
Implementation Method 3
by using the surface acoustic wave, which effectively overcomes the deficiencies... the surface acoustic wave non-contact atomization
Implementation Method 4
Cavitation occurs around the protruded surface of the e-liquid to atomize the e-liquid, generating an aerosol
Implementation Method 5
a piezoelectric substrate with interdigital transducers to generate traveling and standing surface acoustic waves
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a surface acoustic wave electronic cigarette system which includes a piezoelectric substrate (1), a liquid guiding cavity (2), an atomization cavity (3), and a power feeder port (4). The liquid guiding cavity (2) and the atomization cavity (3) are provided on an upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate (1). An isolation board (13) is provided between the liquid guiding cavity (2) and the atomization cavity (3). The power feeder port (4) is provided on an outer side surface of the piezoelectric substrate (1). The surface acoustic wave electronic cigarette of the present disclosure generates an aerosol with a smaller particle diameter by atomization, which has a comfortable smoking experience and a pure and subtle fragrance.