Ultrasonic Atomizer Frequency Tracking for Stable E-Cigarette Aerosol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frequency tracking methods for ultrasonic electronic cigarettes are inaccurate, leading to unstable smoke output and poor user experience due to the oscillation frequency of the ultrasonic atomizer changing during operation, resulting in inconsistent smoke production.

Innovation Solution

A frequency tracking method that involves selecting an oscillation frequency range, scanning multiple points within this range, detecting maximum and minimum current values, adjusting the frequency based on current detection, and continuously tracking the optimal frequency to maintain real-time accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the maximum current detection method is used to determine optimal frequency, then the frequency tracking process is simple, but the frequency tracking accuracy is poor and atomization effect is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency tracking process complexityVSAvoidfrequency tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency tracking process is segmented into multiple detection periods, with each period containing multiple frequency points to detect. Instead of using a single maximum current value, the method divides the detection into segments (multiple frequency points per period) and compares current values across these segments to identify the true optimal frequency, thereby improving accuracy without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method performs excessive detection by scanning multiple frequency points (N≥3) within each detection period, exceeding the simple single-point maximum detection approach. This partial/excessive action ensures that the true optimal frequency is captured even when frequency drift occurs during the detection period, improving tracking accuracy at the cost of increased detection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Ease of operation

If frequency detection is performed over a detection period, then the detection process is simplified, but the optimal frequency detected may not be the real-time optimal frequency due to frequency changes during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection process simplicityVSAvoidreal-time frequency tracking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The method implements feedback by comparing current values at multiple frequency points within each detection period and using this comparison to determine the optimal frequency. The control module receives feedback from the current detection results and adjusts the driving frequency accordingly, ensuring real-time tracking reliability while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The detection process is made dynamic by allowing the system to adapt to frequency changes during the detection period. Instead of assuming a static optimal frequency, the method dynamically identifies the frequency point with maximum current within each period, enabling the system to track real-time frequency changes while keeping the detection process straightforward

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the optimal frequency is not accurately tracked, then the device structure remains simple, but the smoke amount becomes unstable and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency tracking system complexityVSAvoidsmoke amount stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency tracking system is segmented into multiple frequency points per detection period, allowing the system to identify the true optimal frequency even with simple device structure. By dividing the frequency range into discrete points and comparing currents at each point, the system achieves stable smoke output without requiring complex additional hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If multiple frequency points are scanned to improve tracking accuracy, then the frequency tracking accuracy improves, but the detection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency tracking accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs partial detection by scanning N frequency points (where 3≤N≤50) within each detection period, which is excessive compared to single-point detection but limited to a reasonable range. This partial/excessive action improves frequency tracking accuracy while controlling detection time, as the system only needs to scan a limited number of points rather than the entire frequency spectrum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Achieves accurate frequency tracking, high atomization efficiency, stable smoke output, and improved user experience by ensuring the ultrasonic atomizer operates at the optimal frequency in real time.

Implementation Method 1

enabling start of working of an ultrasonic atomizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

selecting an oscillation frequency range of the ultrasonic atomizer as a frequency scan range [fmin, fmax] according to the natural frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic atomizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3788894B1Ultrasonic electronic cigarette frequency tracking method
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN IND CORP
  • EP3788894B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A frequency tracking method for an ultrasonic electronic cigarette comprises: A, enabling start of working of an ultrasonic atomizer; B, selecting an oscillation frequency range of the ultrasonic atomizer as a frequency scan range according to the natural frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic atomizer, selecting N frequency points within the frequency scan range, controlling the ultrasonic atomizer to work at the N frequency points, finding out a maximum current value Imax and a minimum current value Imin of the ultrasonic atomizer when working at the N frequency points, and finding out a working frequency fimax corresponding to the maximum current value Imax; C, controlling the ultrasonic atomizer to work at a frequency ftracking = fimax+Δf; D, detecting the working current I of the ultrasonic atomizer, and if ≤ I ≤ Imax, skipping to C; otherwise, updating fimax to original fimax plus Δf, and skipping to E; E, if the updated fimax value is within the frequency scan range, skipping to C; otherwise, skipping to F; and F, controlling the ultrasonic atomizer to work at the frequency fimax, and skipping to D. The method can achieve accurate frequency tracking of the ultrasonic atomizer, high atomization efficiency, large and stable smoke amount, and good user experience.