Surface Acoustic Wave Atomizer for Low-Temperature Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking devices fail to provide enhanced functionality and efficient vaporization of aerosol precursor compositions without significant combustion or chemical alteration, lacking in sensory experiences similar to traditional smoking.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol delivery device with a housing, power source, control component, reservoir, and atomization assembly using a piezoelectric component with an interdigital transducer to generate surface acoustic waves for vaporizing liquid compositions, incorporating a fibrous material with multi-lobal cross-section and perforated disks for efficient aerosol generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional combustion methods are used to vaporize tobacco, then high temperature vaporization is achieved, but incomplete combustion products and harmful substances are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal combustion mechanism with a mechanical surface acoustic wave mechanism. The interdigital transducer generates surface acoustic waves that directly mechanically disrupt and vaporize the liquid composition at lower temperatures, eliminating the need for high-temperature combustion and thereby preventing formation of incomplete combustion products and harmful substances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of vaporization from high-temperature thermal process to low-temperature mechanical process. By using surface acoustic waves with specific frequencies, the liquid composition is vaporized at significantly lower temperatures than traditional combustion, fundamentally altering the energy input method and temperature profile to eliminate harmful combustion byproducts
2Productivity
If surface acoustic waves are used for vaporization, then efficient aerosol generation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to piezoelectric components
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric component serves multiple functions: it generates surface acoustic waves for vaporization, acts as a resonant receiver for induction heating, and integrates with the interdigital transducer structure. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several functions into a single component rather than requiring separate elements for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces induction heating as an intermediary mechanism to heat the piezoelectric component, which then converts thermal energy to mechanical surface acoustic waves. This intermediary approach allows efficient energy transfer and aerosol generation while simplifying the direct conversion mechanism, as the piezoelectric material naturally converts thermal to mechanical energy through its piezoelectric properties
3Stability of the object's composition
If fibrous material with multi-lobal cross-section is used for liquid transport, then liquid distribution is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fibrous material with multi-lobal cross-section creates a porous structure that facilitates capillary action and uniform liquid distribution. The porous nature of the fibrous material allows liquid to be drawn through and distributed evenly across the surface via capillary forces, reducing the need for precise geometric control during manufacturing while maintaining stable liquid composition distribution
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 effectively produces inhalable vapors resembling traditional smoking sensations without combustion, offering customizable flavors and medicinal components in a compact, handheld form.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric component that includes an interdigital transducer configured to generate surface acoustic waves that vaporize the portion of the liquid composition to generate an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
vaporize the portion of the liquid composition to generate an aerosol
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of the piezoelectric component comprises a resonant receiver of the induction heating arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a liquid delivery and atomization assembly for use with an aerosol delivery device. In one implementation, the liquid delivery and atomization assembly may comprise a liquid composition, an atomization assembly, and a liquid transport element configured to transport at least a portion of the liquid composition to the atomization assembly. The atomization assembly may comprise a piezoelectric component that includes an interdigital transducer configured to generate surface acoustic waves that vaporize the portion of the liquid composition to generate an aerosol. The liquid transport element may comprise one or more of a fibrous material that includes fibers having a multi-lobal cross-section, a perforated disk, or a combination thereof. The perforated disk may include a plurality of openings and a plurality of microchannels that extend from a periphery of the disk to the plurality of openings.