Ultrasonic Atomizer Ceramic Wick for Stable E-Liquid Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic electronic cigarette atomizers face issues with e-liquid guide cotton being affected by temperature changes, leading to unstable e-liquid flow rates and immersion of the atomization piece, causing inefficiencies and user inhalation of e-liquid droplets.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic atomizer employs a combination of e-liquid guide ceramic and cotton, where the ceramic has stable micropores and is directly connected to the e-liquid bin, ensuring consistent e-liquid flow despite temperature variations, while the cotton provides flexible support to the atomization piece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If e-liquid guide cotton is used to guide e-liquid, then e-liquid can be delivered to the atomization piece, but the e-liquid guide rate increases excessively when temperature increases, causing the atomization piece to be immersed in e-liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvee-liquid guide rateVSAvoidatomization piece immersion
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The e-liquid guide assembly is divided into two distinct components: an upper e-liquid guide ceramic and a lower e-liquid guide cotton. The ceramic component with stable micropores controls the e-liquid guide rate, while the cotton component provides supplementary guidance. This segmentation allows the stable ceramic structure to prevent excessive e-liquid flow when temperature increases, thereby preventing atomization piece immersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines two different materials (ceramic and cotton) with different properties to create a composite e-liquid guide assembly. The ceramic material provides thermal stability and consistent porosity, while the cotton material provides flexibility and additional e-liquid guidance capability. This composite structure leverages the advantages of both materials to maintain stable e-liquid flow rates under temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If e-liquid guide cotton absorbs e-liquid, then e-liquid is delivered to the atomization piece, but the pore size increase with temperature leads to increased e-liquid guide rate and atomization piece immersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvee-liquid delivery amountVSAvoidpore size stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the e-liquid guide assembly have different properties: the upper ceramic region has stable, temperature-resistant micropores with consistent size, while the lower cotton region has flexible pores that can expand or contract. By placing the stable ceramic component in the upper position where it directly contacts the e-liquid bin, the system ensures that the primary e-liquid flow path maintains stable pore dimensions regardless of temperature changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If e-liquid viscosity decreases with temperature increase, then e-liquid flows more easily, but the e-liquid guide rate on e-liquid guide cotton increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvee-liquid flow speedVSAvoide-liquid guide amount
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The e-liquid guide ceramic acts as an intermediary component between the e-liquid bin and the e-liquid guide cotton. It regulates the e-liquid flow by providing a stable micropore structure that controls the guide rate, preventing the excessive flow that would otherwise occur when e-liquid viscosity decreases with temperature increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 maintains stable e-liquid flow rates, enhances atomization efficiency, reduces immersion-related issues, and minimizes the inhalation of e-liquid droplets, improving user experience.

Implementation Method 1

micropores which are used for conducting the e-liquid are integrally formed on the e-liquid guide ceramic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a spring which is located between the e-liquid guide ceramic and the e-liquid guide cotton and abuts the e-liquid guide cotton against an atomization piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4042886B1Ultrasonic atomizer
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN IND CORP
  • EP4042886B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4042886B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4042886B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette set, in particular to an ultrasonic atomizer, comprising an e-liquid guide assembly (2); the e-liquid guide assembly comprises an e-liquid guide ceramic (21) which makes direct contact with an e-liquid, e-liquid guide cotton (22) which is located below the e-liquid guide ceramic and is contactingly connected to a surface of the e-liquid guide ceramic, and springs (23) which are located between the e-liquid guide ceramic and the e-liquid guide cotton and abut the e-liquid guide cotton against an atomization piece (322). The e-liquid guide ceramic is a solid ceramic body, and micropores which are used for conducting the e-liquid and vapor are integrally formed on the e-liquid guide ceramic. The present invention uses a combination of an e-liquid guide ceramic and e-liquid guide cotton to guide an e-liquid. In an ultrasonic atomization process, the e-liquid guide amount of the e-liquid guide assembly is fixed, such that the atomization efficiency of ultrasonic atomization is high, the amount of vapor is stable, and atomization not being enough to absorb e-liquid drops due to an ultrasonic atomization piece being soaked in e-liquid or the ultrasonic atomization piece being dry-burnt due to a small amount of e-liquid is avoided.