Ultrasonic Mist Inhalation Pod for Leak-Safe Consistent Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic vaporizing inhalers suffer from liquid leakage, inconsistent dosing, and the risk of burning metal and inhaling burnt liquid, along with an unpleasant smell, due to their design and heating mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A mist inhalation pod with a housing, liquid barrier wall, spacer, fluid flow manifold, ultrasonic transducer, and capillary system that atomizes nicotine into a mist without heating, using ultrasonic vibrations to generate a stable and consistent vapor without liquid leakage or burning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid nicotine reservoir with an interior membrane is used to hold liquid nicotine, then the liquid can be contained without leaking, but the membrane may become oversaturated or undersaturated causing inconsistent dosing and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid barrier wall is divided into multiple segments including a first liquid barrier wall portion, a second liquid barrier wall portion, and a third liquid barrier wall portion. Each segment can be independently saturated with liquid, preventing oversaturation of any single membrane while maintaining consistent dosing. The segmentation allows controlled liquid distribution through multiple pathways rather than relying on a single membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the liquid barrier wall have different functions: the first portion prevents leakage at the reservoir, the second portion controls liquid flow to the vaporizer, and the third portion manages liquid distribution. This local differentiation ensures each area operates within optimal saturation limits, maintaining both containment reliability and dosing consistency.
2Productivity
If high temperatures are used to vaporize the liquid, then the liquid can be effectively vaporized for inhalation, but metal burning and burnt liquid inhalation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal vaporization system with an ultrasonic atomization system. An ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency vibrations that mechanically atomize the liquid into fine droplets for inhalation, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating elements. This substitution removes the source of metal burning while maintaining effective liquid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic transducer employs mechanical vibration at ultrasonic frequencies to atomize the liquid. The vibrational energy directly breaks up the liquid into inhalable droplets without thermal conversion, providing an alternative mechanism to thermal vaporization that avoids all associated harmful effects.
3Device complexity
If a simple reservoir design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but liquid leakage into electronic components and mouthpiece cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir system is segmented into multiple functional zones with dedicated liquid barrier walls at different locations. This segmentation provides redundant leakage prevention without requiring a completely complex redesign, as each segment handles specific containment tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid barrier walls act as intermediary elements between the liquid nicotine reservoir and the electronic components/mouthpiece. These barriers intercept and redirect liquid flow before it can reach sensitive areas, providing protection without direct contact between the liquid and vulnerable components.
4Quantity of substance
If the membrane is oversaturated to ensure sufficient liquid supply, then dosing strength increases, but liquid leakage and inconsistent dosing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply is distributed across multiple barrier wall segments rather than stored in a single oversaturated membrane. Each segment maintains optimal saturation levels while collectively providing sufficient liquid nicotine supply to the vaporizer.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented liquid barrier system dynamically adjusts liquid distribution based on local saturation levels. When one segment approaches oversaturation, liquid flow naturally redirects to other segments, maintaining consistent dosing and preventing leakage through adaptive flow management.
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 system prevents liquid leakage, ensures consistent dosing, and avoids the inhalation of burnt liquid and metal, providing a cleaner and more reliable nicotine delivery experience.
Implementation Method 1
a second portion adjacent to the liquid outlet of the liquid channel, wherein the second portion of the capillary covers at least a portion of the liquid outlet and is configured to conduct the liquid from the liquid outlet to the atomisation surface to generate a mist
Implementation Method 2
a capillary having a first portion at least partly superimposed on the atomisation surface of the ultrasonic transducer and a second portion adjacent to the liquid outlet of the liquid channel, wherein the second portion of the capillary covers at least a portion of the liquid outlet and is configured to conduct the liquid from the liquid outlet to the atomisation surface
Data Source
AI summary
A mist inhaler pod for use with a driver. The pod comprises a housing, a liquid barrier wall positioned within the housing having at least one liquid channel, and a liquid chamber defined by the liquid barrier wall and the housing. The pod further includes a spacer positioned within the housing, and a fluid flow manifold provided within the spacer. A sonication chamber is included within a cavity of the fluid flow manifold. An ultrasonic transducer is in communication with the sonication chamber, and a capillary conducts liquid from the liquid chamber to the sonication chamber. An air inlet conduit forms an air-tight channel for conducting air form an air inlet to the sonication chamber, and a mist outlet conduit conducts mist from the sonication chamber to the mist outlet port.