Surface Acoustic Wave Aerosol Generation for Nicotine Salt Vapor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalers do not effectively control the generation of nicotine vapor and often use high-concentration nicotine solutions, which may be inefficient and potentially harmful.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating device that includes a first storage for a low-concentration nicotine solution, a second storage for a reactant liquid, a reactor, and a surface wave generator to atomize the liquids using surface acoustic waves, controlled by a respiratory sensor to form a nicotine salt vapor only upon inhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-concentration nicotine solutions are used in existing inhalers, then the nicotine delivery efficiency is improved, but the safety and potential harm to users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of nicotine solution from high (existing inhalers) to low (≤1%), and simultaneously changes the chemical form from pure nicotine to nicotine salt through chemical reaction with organic acid, achieving both safety improvement and efficient delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces organic acid as an intermediary substance that reacts with nicotine to form nicotine salt, which serves as a safe yet efficiently deliverable intermediate form that resolves the contradiction between concentration and safety
2Device complexity
If existing inhalers are used without effective control mechanisms, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the control precision of nicotine vapor generation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the atomization process dynamic by using surface acoustic wave generation that can be activated on-demand based on user inhalation, allowing precise control of nicotine vapor generation while maintaining simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic activation of the surface wave generator synchronized with user inhalation cycles, enabling precise control of vapor generation timing and amount without requiring complex continuous control systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If low-concentration nicotine solutions are used, then the user safety is improved, but the nicotine delivery efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nicotine salt as an intermediary form that bridges the gap between low-concentration safety and high-efficiency delivery, allowing both objectives to be achieved simultaneously through chemical transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of nicotine through chemical reaction to form nicotine salt, which has different vaporization characteristics that enable efficient delivery from low-concentration solutions
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 uniformly controls nicotine vapor generation and atomizes low-concentration nicotine solutions, forming a safe and efficient inhalable nicotine salt vapor.
Implementation Method 1
a surface wave generator configured to transmit a surface acoustic wave to the reactor, in which the atomization of the first liquid is controlled by the surface acoustic wave
Implementation Method 2
a second storage configured to store a second liquid that reacts with the first liquid and forms an inhalable composition
Implementation Method 3
The first liquid, the second liquid, or both the first liquid and the second liquid is transmitted to the reactor through a capillary phenomenon
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a first storage configured to store a first liquid including nicotine, a second storage configured to store a second liquid that reacts with the first liquid and forms an inhalable composition, a reactor configured to atomize the first liquid, and a surface wave generator configured to transmit a surface acoustic wave to the reactor, in which the atomization of the first liquid is controlled by the surface acoustic wave.