WO2018041106A1

WO2018041106A1 - Acoustic surface wave atomizer

Info

Publication number: WO2018041106A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/099529
Authority: WO
Inventors: 韩熠; 李寿波; 孟凡晋; 李廷华; 巩效伟; 朱东来; 张霞; 洪鎏; 吴俊�; 陈永宽; 唐顺良
Original assignee: 云南中烟工业有限责任公司
Priority date: 2016-08-31
Filing date: 2017-08-29
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: CN106174706A

Abstract

An acoustic surface wave atomizer, comprising: a base (1), an air inlet (4) being opened on the base (1), and a host connecting head (5) being arranged at a bottom end thereof; an atomization bin (2) in communication with the air inlet (4), a fixing groove (11) opened at a bottom end inside of the atomization bin and an acoustic surface wave atomizing chip (6) fixed therein; a suction nozzle (3); and a host signal generator (8). One end of the atomization bin (2) is connected to the base (1), and the other end is connected to the suction nozzle (3).

Description

Surface acoustic wave atomizer

Technical field

The invention belongs to the technical field of electronic cigarettes, and in particular to a surface acoustic wave atomizer.

Background technique

Up to now, the electric heating method is still the main way of heating the atomized smoke oil of the commercially available electronic cigarette, wherein the atomizer is mainly composed of the oil storage element, the oil guiding element and the electric heating element as the core component of the electronic cigarette. The smoke oil in the oil storage component is transported to the electric heating element through the oil guiding member. When the power is pumped, the high temperature of the electric heating element causes the smoke oil on the evaporation to be atomized, and the formed atomized steam is pumped together with the carrier gas (air). Inhaler inhalation.

The smoky oil undergoes a high-temperature heating process on the electric heating element. When pumping, the high temperature of the electric heating element may not only cause some aroma components contained in the smoky oil to decompose and deteriorate at a high temperature, causing a change in suction odor or aroma. Therefore, the quality of the suction is directly affected; it may also cause cracking, shedding, carbonization or dissolution of the materials for manufacturing the electric heating element and the oil guiding element, so that the sensory quality of the suction is lowered and there is a potential health hazard.

In addition to the mainstream electrothermal atomization technology, the existing electronic aerosolization technology is also a major trend. The latest electronic cigarette ultrasonic atomization technology mainly includes two types: one type still needs to use heating elements to heat the smoke oil first, and then use the ultrasonic atomizing device to atomize the heated smoke oil (such as "ultrasonic vibration type electronic aerosolization device and Electronic cigarette" CN201610007620.7, "An electronic cigarette atomizer and electronic cigarette" CN201510423239.4); the other is ultrasonic atomization using an atomized sheet composed of a piezoelectric ceramic layer and an electric conductor for driving the vibration thereof. Smoke oil, the technology does not require heating elements, the upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic layer of the atomized sheet used need to be provided with two conductive layers in contact with each other, and a porous oil guiding structure is also required ("an ultrasonic atomizer and Electronic cigarette"CN201610160216.3). Ultrasonic nebulizers tend to be bulky, making it difficult to miniaturize electronic cigarettes.

Therefore, it is desired to develop a new atomization method in addition to electric heating atomization and ultrasonic atomization, and the corresponding atomization device is preferably miniaturized.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a surface acoustic wave atomizer, which belongs to non-electrothermal atomization, does not require electric heating elements and/or oil guiding elements, and overcomes the poor or unstable sensory quality brought by conventional electric heating atomization. Defects such as health hazards, simple structure, can be directly drip-type atomized, or integrated with oil storage components.

The drip-type atomizer includes a base 1, an atomization chamber 2, and a suction nozzle 3. The base 1 defines an air inlet 4 and a host connector 5. The air inlet hole 4 penetrates the inside of the atomization chamber. The connector 5 is electrically connected to the host. The atomization chamber 2 includes a surface acoustic wave atomization chip 6 and a fixing groove. One end of the atomization chamber is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the suction nozzle. The inner end of the atomization chamber is provided with a fixing groove for fixing the surface acoustic wave atomization chip in the atomization chamber. The surface acoustic wave atomization chip 6 includes a piezoelectric substrate 6-1, an interdigital transducer 6-2, and a sound absorbing material 6-3. Wherein, the piezoelectric substrate material may be a piezoelectric single crystal, a piezoelectric film, and a piezoelectric ceramic such as quartz or lithium niobate. It is preferable to cut a lithium niobate (LiNbO ₃ ) piezoelectric substrate in the X128.68° direction. After the surface of the piezoelectric substrate is polished, a metal (such as aluminum) film is sputter-deposited thereon, and an interdigitated metal electrode (interdigital transducer 6-2) having an energy conversion function is formed by photolithography. . The interdigital transducer 6-2 is electrically connected to the main body via a lead leg 7 provided outside the piezoelectric substrate. The sound absorbing material 6-3 is disposed on the end faces of both ends of the piezoelectric substrate in order to suppress the surface acoustic wave from being reflected back and forth between the two end faces.

The host includes signal generating means 8 for driving the interdigital transducer 6-2. The host signal generating device 8 includes a signal generator 8-1 and a power amplifier 8-2. The signal generator applies an alternating current signal to the surface acoustic wave atomizing chip, and the power amplifier amplifies the signal, and the applied signal frequency is set to The operating frequency of the device is amplified and applied to the interdigital transducer 6-2 to excite the surface acoustic wave. The energy carried by the surface acoustic wave transmits energy to the liquid in a pattern of leaking surface waves and deforms, thereby strongly perturbing the free surface of the liquid. When the surface tension of the liquid surface itself is insufficient to maintain its geometric stability, Atomization begins to occur.

Advantages of the present invention compared to existing ultrasonic atomization techniques:

A surface acoustic wave is an elastic acoustic wave that can only propagate on a solid surface, and its energy is mostly concentrated in the depth below the surface in the range of several wavelengths. Surface acoustic wave atomization is caused by the disturbance of the surface tension wave generated by the sound flow generated by the acoustic energy of the diffracted liquid into the liquid, and the ultrasonic atomization phenomenon is caused by the disturbance generated by the reciprocating piston motion of the piezoelectric substrate. . Surface acoustic wave nebulizers typically operate at frequencies of 10-500 MHz, an order of magnitude higher than conventional ultrasonic nebulizers (20 kHz - 3 MHz). Therefore, the surface acoustic wave atomizer is smaller in size, more compact and more portable.

As a high-frequency sonic atomization method, it has a higher frequency than the ultrasonic atomization technology, and can realize the monodispersity and continuous stability of the aerosol aerosol aerosol. At the same time, the high frequency facilitates the atomization of the relatively high viscosity smoke oil.

The bulk acoustic wave energy propagates throughout the device substrate, while the surface acoustic wave limits most of its energy to the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, requiring less power than bulk acoustic waves.

The surface acoustic wave is a kind of mechanical wave that propagates along the superficial layer of the piezoelectric substrate and has the advantage of energy concentration. Easy to integrate with integrated circuits, micro devices, sensing and microfluidic technology for miniaturization and integration.

The sound power intensity and frequency used in the surface acoustic wave device are similar to those used for the pregnancy health check, and the safety is high.

Advantages of the present invention over existing electrically heated atomization techniques:

It eliminates defects such as chemical composition changes caused by the use of high-temperature electric heating elements, sensory quality changes caused by dry burning, and health risks.

The drip type device has a simple structure, and the oil storage device with the microfluidic device can quantitatively control the amount of smoke atomization by designing the microchannel, thereby ensuring sensory consistency and improving the user experience.

The oil storage type device with the oil guiding core has a simpler structure and lower manufacturing cost than the oil storage type device with the micro fluid flow control device, and the paper oil guiding core is safe and environmentally friendly, and the detachable design greatly facilitates the atomizing warehouse. Cleaning of the surface acoustic wave atomization chip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a surface acoustic wave atomizer of the present invention;

2 is a schematic structural view of a drip-type surface acoustic wave atomization chip of the present invention;

3 is a schematic structural view of an oil storage type surface acoustic wave atomization chip with a microfluidic device according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an oil storage type surface acoustic wave atomizer having an oil guiding core according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an oil storage type surface acoustic wave atomization chip with an oil guiding core according to the present invention.

The reference numerals are: 1: base; 2: atomization chamber; 3: nozzle; 4: air inlet; 5: host connector; 6: surface acoustic wave atomization chip; 6-1: piezoelectric substrate; 6-2: interdigital transducer; 6-3: sound absorbing material; 6-4: microchannel; 7: lead pin; 8: host signal generating device; 8-1: signal generator; 8-2: power Amplifier; 9: smoke oil droplets; 10: oil storage tank; 10-1: oil storage tank end cover; 101: smoke oil inlet end; 102: smoke oil outlet end; 103: capillary tube; 104: oil guiding core.

detailed description

How to use the drip atomizer:

The base 1, the atomization chamber 2 and the main unit are assembled, and the smoke oil is dropped on the surface acoustic wave atomization chip 6, and the suction nozzle 3 is attached. The host power is activated, the signal generating device 8 operates, the interdigital transducer 6-2 obtains an alternating current signal and is excited, and the surface of the piezoelectric substrate 6-1 vibrates, and the corresponding elastic sound field is excited in the substrate by the inverse piezoelectric effect. Converting an electrical signal into an acoustic signal, forming a surface acoustic wave having the same frequency as the applied signal and propagating along the surface of the substrate, and the surface acoustic wave propagates along the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, when encountering the smoke oil located on the surface acoustic wave propagation path At the time of the droplet 9, the droplet is atomized to form an aerosol and the air entering from the atomizer inlet hole 4 is brought into the nozzle end to be sucked. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Use of oil storage atomizer with microfluidic device:

The oil storage atomizer includes a base, an atomization chamber, a storage tank, and a suction nozzle. Wherein the base is the same as the drip atomizer. The atomization chamber comprises a surface acoustic wave atomization chip and a fixing groove, one end of the atomization chamber is connected with the base, and the other end is connected with the oil storage tank. The inner end of the atomization chamber is provided with a fixing groove for fixing the surface acoustic wave atomization chip in the atomization chamber. The surface acoustic wave atomization chip 6 includes a piezoelectric substrate 6-1, an interdigital transducer 6-2, a sound absorbing material 6-3, and a smoke oil microchannel 6-4. Among them, the smoke oil microchannel 6-4 is fabricated on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by micromachining technology, the direction of smoke oil transport in the PDMS microchannel and the acoustic surface generated by the interdigital transducer on the piezoelectric substrate. The wave propagation directions are perpendicular to each other. The upper surface of the microchannel is fixed at the bottom of the oil storage tank and connected to the oil storage tank through the smoke oil inlet end 101. The lower surface of the microchannel is fixed on the piezoelectric substrate and is provided with a smoke oil outlet end 102. The smoke oil in the oil storage tank can be transported to the outlet end through the microchannel at the inlet end of the microchannel, and the micro-pump or micro-valve can be designed at the inlet end of the oil storage tank and the micro-channel and controlled by the host control system. The connection and shutdown between the oil storage tank and the microchannel. The above-mentioned smoke oil microchannel and the micropump or microvalve connected to the oil storage tank together constitute a microfluidic device. The structure, arrangement and manufacturing method of the components other than the microchannels on the piezoelectric substrate are the same as those of the drip-type atomizer surface acoustic wave atomization chip.

Connect the base of the atomizer to the main unit, connect the atomization chamber and the oil storage tank, add the oil to the oil storage tank, and cover the nozzle. The host power supply is started, the host control system and the signal generating device operate, and the control system controls the smoke oil in the oil storage tank to be transported through the microchannel smoke oil inlet end 101 through the microchannel 6-4 to the smoke oil outlet end 102 and then dropped on the piezoelectric base. On the surface of the sheet, the signal generating means 8 triggers a surface acoustic wave propagating along the surface of the piezoelectric substrate. When the surface acoustic wave encounters the aerosol droplet 9 located on its propagation path, the droplet is atomized to form an aerosol and is Air entering from the inlet of the atomizer base is brought into the mouth of the nozzle and sucked in. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3.

Use of oil storage atomizer with oil guiding core:

The oil storage atomizer includes a base 1, an atomization chamber 2, an oil storage chamber 10, and a nozzle end 3. A fixing groove 11 is provided between the atomization chamber 2 and the base 1 for fixing the surface acoustic wave atomization chip 6. The side wall of the base is provided with an air intake hole 4 and communicates with the inside of the atomization chamber. The upper end of the oil storage tank 10 is provided with an end cover 10-1 near the mouth end to open the oil filling. A cavity on one side of the reservoir 10 is provided with a small hole and a hollow capillary 103 connected thereto and fixed to the wall of the magazine. The positional relationship between the oil storage tank 10 and the atomization chamber 2 is different from the side-by-side arrangement of the common electronic cigarette atomizers in the radial direction, but is arranged side by side in the axial direction. The capillary 103 is in close contact with the surface of the piezoelectric substrate 6-1 of the surface acoustic wave atomization chip 6. The oil guiding core 104 is embedded in the capillary 103, and one end of the oil guiding core extends into the oil storage chamber cavity, and the other end extends to the outside of the capillary end portion and is in surface contact with the piezoelectric substrate 6-1. The atomization chamber 2 is a C-shaped structure that is open on one side, and its open end is just tightly coupled to one side outer wall of the oil storage tank 10. The atomization chamber 2 is fixedly connected to the base 1. The oil storage tank 10 and the atomization chamber 2 have a detachable structure, which is convenient for replacing the oil guiding core 104, the cleaning atomizing chamber 2 and the surface acoustic wave atomizing chip 6. The oil storage tank 10 and the atomization chamber 2 can be made of a transparent material to observe the smoke consumption and the atomization of the smoke oil in real time. The oil guiding core 104 can adopt a cellulose polyester paper filter core, and other safe and environmentally friendly porous materials can also be used. The oil guiding core 104 is smoked from the oil storage tank 10, and the oil is continuously delivered to the atomizing chip 6 through the capillary pressure generated in the oil guiding core.

Prior to pumping, the oil guiding core 104 is embedded in the capillary 103 with one end extending into the reservoir and the other end extending beyond the capillary end. The oil storage tank and the atomization chamber are further connected to the base. Add smoke oil to the oil storage tank until the liquid level of the oil is higher than the end face of the capillary. Close the upper end cap of the oil storage tank 10. Connect the nebulizer to the main unit and close the nozzle. The host power is activated, the host signal generating device 8 operates, the interdigital transducer 6-2 obtains an alternating current signal and is excited, the surface of the piezoelectric substrate 6-1 vibrates, and the corresponding elasticity is excited in the substrate by the inverse piezoelectric effect. a sound field, which converts an electrical signal into an acoustic signal, forms a surface acoustic wave that propagates at the same frequency as the applied signal and propagates along the surface of the substrate, and the surface acoustic wave propagates along the surface of the piezoelectric substrate when the surface acoustic wave encounters its propagation path and When the smoke liquid film 9 at the front end of the oil guiding core leaks, the sound energy leaks into the liquid film, the free surface of the film becomes unstable, and the liquid film breaks to form an aerosol and is taken into the air band from the inlet hole of the atomizer base. Inhaled into the mouth of the nozzle. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, and Figure 5.

Claims

A surface acoustic wave atomizer, comprising:

The base (1) is provided with an air inlet hole (4), and the bottom end is provided with a host connector (5);

The atomization chamber (2) is in communication with the air inlet hole (4), and the inner bottom end is provided with a fixing groove and a surface acoustic wave atomizing chip (6) fixed therein;

Nozzle (3);

Host signal generating device (8);

One end of the atomization chamber (2) is connected to the base (1), and the other end is connected to the nozzle (3).
The surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the surface acoustic wave atomization chip (6) is a drip-type surface acoustic wave atomization chip or an oil storage surface acoustic wave atomization chip. include:

Piezoelectric substrate (6-1) with lead pins (7) on the outside;

An interdigital transducer (6-2) disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate (6-1);

A sound absorbing material (6-3) is disposed on an end surface of the piezoelectric substrate (6-1) at both ends of the interdigital transducer (6-2).
A surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that said host signal generating means (8) comprises a signal generator (8-1) and a power amplifier (8-2).
A surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 2, wherein said oil storage type surface acoustic wave atomization chip is provided with a microchannel (6-4) and said microchannel (6-4) Connected smoke oil inlet end (101) and smoke oil outlet end (102).
The surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the oil storage type surface acoustic wave atomizing chip (6) is provided with a capillary (103) closely attached to the surface thereof, the capillary ( An oil guiding core (104) is embedded in 103), and one end of the oil guiding core (104) extends outside the end of the capillary (103) and is in contact with the surface of the piezoelectric substrate (6-1), and the other end extends To the reservoir chamber (10).
The surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric substrate (6-1) is a piezoelectric single crystal, a piezoelectric film or a piezoelectric ceramic.
The surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 6, wherein the piezoelectric substrate (6-1) is quartz or lithium niobate.
The surface acoustic wave atomizer according to claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric substrate (6-1) is a lithium niobate having a Y-cut X 128.68° direction.