Ultrasonic Atomizer Vertical Piezo Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarette atomizers face issues such as high energy inefficiency, burnt flavor due to heating wires, and tobacco tar leakage, with poor smoking taste and rapid heating leading to scorching of components.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic atomizer design featuring a piezoelectric ceramic piece vertically integrated within an outer sleeve, with a liquid storage body made of tobacco tar absorption material, utilizing ultrasonic waves to atomize liquid and improve atomization efficiency, preventing excessive liquid accumulation and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heating wires are used to heat tobacco tar, then the atomization function is achieved, but the heating wires are scorched easily and produce burnt flavor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating wire durabilityVSAvoidburnt flavor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal heating system (heating wires) with an ultrasonic mechanical vibration system. The piezoelectric ceramic piece generates ultrasonic vibrations that directly atomize the liquid tobacco tar through mechanical energy, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating and thus preventing scorching and burnt flavor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature (thermal field) to high frequency vibration (mechanical field). The ultrasonic oscillation operates at frequencies typically above 20kHz, creating cavitation and mechanical shear forces that atomize liquid without thermal degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high temperatures are produced by heating wires, then atomization is achieved, but the electronic cigarette becomes hot and energy efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes thermal energy conversion with mechanical energy conversion. The piezoelectric ceramic directly converts electrical energy to mechanical ultrasonic vibrations, which atomize the liquid through cavitation and shear forces, bypassing the inefficient thermal heating process and reducing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic vibrations induce rapid phase transitions in the liquid through cavitation (formation and collapse of vapor bubbles), creating fine droplets directly. This phase transition mechanism is more energy-efficient than gradual heating and evaporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If heating wires are used, then atomization is achieved, but the atomizers are prone to tobacco tar leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization functionVSAvoidtobacco tar leakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal processing with mechanical ultrasonic processing. The ultrasonic vibrations create controlled atomization through cavitation and mechanical shear, preventing the uncontrolled heating and carbonization that leads to leakage in traditional heating systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs mechanical vibration at ultrasonic frequencies to atomize the liquid tobacco tar. The high-frequency vibrations create cavitation bubbles and shear forces that break up the liquid into fine droplets, achieving reliable atomization without the thermal degradation and leakage associated with heating wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

4Device complexity

If the piezoelectric ceramic piece is horizontally placed, then the structure is simple, but liquid accumulates on the atomization surface causing slow start

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstart-up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetric positioning of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, placing it vertically rather than horizontally. This asymmetric orientation, combined with the liquid storage body positioned below, creates effective gravity-driven liquid supply to the atomization surface, preventing accumulation and ensuring rapid start-up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation of the piezoelectric ceramic piece from horizontal to vertical, utilizing the vertical dimension for gravity-assisted liquid flow. This dimensional change ensures liquid continuously feeds the atomization surface without accumulation, solving the slow start problem while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 ultrasonic atomizer enhances energy efficiency, prevents tobacco tar leakage, and improves smoking taste by using ultrasonic waves to atomize tobacco tar, ensuring a stable and efficient atomization process.

Implementation Method 1

the piezoelectric ceramic piece atomizes the liquid in the liquid storage body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an electrode electrically connected with an external power supply for driving oscillation of the piezoelectric ceramic piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

the liquid storage body communicates with the liquid storage cavity and is used for adsorbing liquid in the liquid storage cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3272238B1Ultrasonic atomizer and electronic cigarette
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN IND CORP
  • EP3272238B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272238B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3272238B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses an ultrasonic atomizer and electronic cigarette. The ultrasonic atomizer comprises a liquid storage cavity and a piezoelectric ceramic piece both are provided in an outer sleeve; the plane where the piezoelectric ceramic piece is located is parallel to the axial line of the outer sleeve; at least one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece is in contact with a liquid storage body; the liquid storage body communicates with the liquid storage cavity; and an atomization surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece communicates with an air passage. In the present invention, the piezoelectric ceramic piece is vertically provided in the outer sleeve of the atomizer, thereby solving the effectively solving the problem of slow start of the atomizer resulting from the accumulation of excessive liquid on the atomization surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and the problem that the existing atomizer of electronic cigarette is prone to tobacco tar leakage is also solved.