Surface Acoustic Wave Atomizer for Multi-Substrate Aerosol Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices are optimized for a single type of liquid aerosol-forming substrate, limiting their versatility and efficiency in atomizing multiple substrates.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-generator using a surface acoustic wave atomiser with multiple transducers and supply elements, controlled by a single controller, allows for the simultaneous or alternating atomization of different liquid aerosol-forming substrates, optimizing atomization parameters for each.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single aerosol-generator is designed for a specific liquid substrate, then atomization performance for that substrate is optimized, but the device cannot efficiently atomize multiple different substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single aerosol-generator device with a common substrate that can atomize multiple different liquid substrates by selectively activating different transducers. Each transducer is optimized for specific substrate properties (viscosity, volatility), allowing the device to handle diverse substrates without requiring separate generators for each, thus achieving multi-functionality while maintaining a unified device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different regions on the common substrate equipped with different transducer types (e.g., piezoelectric, capacitive) tailored to specific substrate properties. Each transducer region is optimized locally for particular viscosity or volatility characteristics, allowing the single substrate to serve multiple specialized functions for different liquid substrates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate aerosol-generators are used for different substrates, then each substrate can be optimized, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple aerosol-generator functions into a single common substrate with multiple transducers integrated on one surface. Instead of using separate generators for different substrates, the invention combines multiple transducer elements on a single substrate, allowing the device to maintain compact size while achieving substrate-specific optimization through selective transducer activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The common substrate serves multiple functions by accommodating different transducer types that can be selectively activated based on the liquid substrate being atomized. This universal platform eliminates the need for multiple separate generators, reducing overall device volume while maintaining the ability to optimize atomization for each specific substrate type.
3Reliability
If high power is used for atomization, then atomization performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the atomization parameters by using surface acoustic wave transducers that operate at specific frequencies and power levels optimized for each liquid substrate's properties (viscosity, volatility). Instead of using high power universally, the system adjusts transducer activation parameters to achieve reliable atomization at lower power consumption by matching the energy input to the specific substrate characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface acoustic wave transducers generate periodic vibrations at resonant frequencies that efficiently atomize the liquid substrates. This periodic action at optimized frequencies achieves consistent atomization performance while consuming less power compared to continuous high-power heating methods, as the energy is delivered in efficient periodic cycles rather than continuous high-power input.
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 design provides improved control and efficiency in atomizing multiple substrates with reduced power consumption, simplifying device design and enabling concurrent or alternating delivery of aerosols.
Implementation Method 1
The surface acoustic wave atomiser comprises at least one substrate comprising an active surface defining at least one atomisation region. The surface acoustic wave atomiser also comprises a first transducer positioned on the active surface of the at least one substrate and a second transducer positioned on the active surface of the at least one substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol-generator for an aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a surface acoustic wave atomiser including: a substrate including an active surface defining an atomisation region, first and second transducers positioned on the active surface; first and second supply elements to respectively supply first and second liquid aerosol-forming substrates to the atomisation region; a controller to provide first and second drive signals respectively to the first and the second transducers to generate surface acoustic waves on the active surface, provide the first drive signal only when the first substrate is supplied to the atomisation region by the first supply element, and provide the second drive signal only when the second substrate is supplied to the atomisation region by the second supply element. An aerosol-generating device including the aerosol-generator is also provided.