WO2024037613A1

WO2024037613A1 - An electronic atomizer and an atomization method

Info

Publication number: WO2024037613A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/113676
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hu SUN; Xiaogang DENG; Yaohua Zhang; Xiaofeng Peng
Original assignee: Shanghai QV Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai QV Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-08-18
Filing date: 2023-08-18
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-18
Also published as: CN117617557A

Abstract

The invention provides an atomization method which covers the step for monitoring whether the air pressure in the atomizer is lower than that at the start point, and starting the electronic heating unit if it is lower; the step for monitoring whether the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than that at the break point, and turning off the electronic heating unit if it is higher; Wherein, the pressure at the break point is not equal to the pressure at the start point. This invention also provides an electronic atomizer which comprises an air pressure sensor, a control circuit, and an electronic heating unit; The air pressure sensor is used to sense air pressure change in the electronic atomizer, and send a signal to the control circuit; The control circuit is used to receive the signal, and control the electronic heating unit by the preset control method; The electronic heating unit is used to heat the liquid to form an aerosol; The control method means starting the electronic heating unit when the signal indicates that the air pressure in the electronic atomizer is lower than that at the start point; and turning off the electronic heating unit when the signal indicates that the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than that at the break point; Wherein, the air pressure at the break point is not equal to that at the start point.

Description

An Electronic Atomizer and an Atomization Method

Field of Technology

This invention relates to the field of electronic atomization, in particular to an electronic atomizer and an atomization method that can reduce condensate.

Background Art

The basic principle of the electronic atomizer is that the liquid is heated and atomized to aerosol by the electronic heating unit for the user to extract from the electronic heating unit for utilization via exerting negative pressure to the suction port of the atomizer. Electronic atomizers are widely used in e-cigarette, medical and recreational products.

The electronic atomizers now available control the start and stop of the atomization process by detecting the pressure drop in the atomizer through airflow sensor. If the air pressure in the electronic atomizer is lower than a certain threshold P, the electronic atomizer is judged to be in the suction process. At this time, the control circuit is connected to the circuit of the electronic heating unit, and the electronic heating unit heats up to start the atomization process; When the pressure is higher than threshold P, the suction process is judged to be over, the control circuit cuts off the power supply of the electronic heating unit, and the atomization process is over.

However, after being powered off, the electronic heating unit would still be warm to some extent, and this would cause the atomization process to last for a period of time. Because the suction process has ended at this time, the aerosol atomized by such residual temperature cannot be discharged from the atomizer and would turn into condensate residue finally. Condensate residue not only affects the experience of use and results in waste, but would accumulate gradually along with usage, which raise the risk of leakage.

Summary of this Invention

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of the invention is to provide an atomization method which covers the step for monitoring whether the air pressure in the atomizer is lower than that at the start point, and starting the electronic heating unit if it is lower; the step for monitoring whether the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than that at the break point, and turning off the electronic heating unit if it is higher; wherein the air pressure at the break point is not equal to that at the start point.

Preferably, air pressure at the start point ranges from -100 ～-400Pa.

Preferably, the break point is a preset pressure threshold by the atomization method.

Preferably, while starting the electronic heating unit, it also involves detecting the air pressure vertex in the atomizer; And the break point is figured out according to the pressure vertex by the atomization method.

Preferably, the break point is found via multiplying the vertex pressure by a percentage in the atomization method.

Preferably, the percentage means 30%～50%by the atomization method.

Preferably, the step for turning off the electronic heating unit means the final shutdown of the electronic heating unit by gradually bringing down the output power of the electronic heating in the atomization method.

The invention also provides an electronic atomizer which comprises an air pressure sensor, a control circuit, and an electronic heating unit; The air pressure sensor is used to sense air pressure change in the electronic atomizer, and send a signal to the control circuit; The control circuit is used to receive the signal, and control the electronic heating unit by the preset control method; The electronic heating unit is used to heat the liquid to form an aerosol; The control method means starting the electronic heating unit when the signal indicates that the air pressure in the electronic atomizer is lower than that at the start point, and turning off the electronic heating unit when the signal indicates that the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than that at the break point; Wherein the air pressure at the break point is not equal to that at the start point.

Preferably, air pressure at the start point ranges from -100 ～-400Pa in the electronic atomizer.

Preferably, the break point is a preset pressure threshold in the electronic atomizer.

Preferably, while starting the electronic heating unit, it also involves detecting the air pressure vertex in the atomizer; And the break point is figured out according to the pressure vertex in the electronic atomizer.

Preferably, the break point is figured out via multiplying the vertex pressure by a percentage in the electronic atomizer.

Preferably, the percentage means 30%～50%in the electronic atomizer.

Preferably, the step for turning off the electronic heating unit means the final shutdown of the electronic heating unit by gradually bringing down the output power of the electronic heating in the electronic atomizer.

By the electronic atomizer and atomization method invented this time, the heating unit would be powered off before the end of the using process via choosing different thresholds for starting and closing the heating circuit, so that the aerosol generated by the residual temperature of the heating unit can be discharged from the atomizer to the maximum extent, and there can be less condensate. According to the preferred embodiment, the best turn-off threshold can be calculated for each use, the effect of use can be further optimized, and the problems existing in the prior art can be solved.

Brief introduction to the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a logical diagram about the basic structure of the electronic atomizer invented this time;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the atomization method invented this time;

Fig. 3 is a curve about air pressure change in the atomizer during two different uses.

Embodiments

The execution of this invention is explained by specific embodiments below, and a person in this art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this invention from the details disclosed herein. The invention can also be implemented or applied in other different ways, and the details herein can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different views and applications without deviating from the spirit of this invention.

Please refer to the attached drawings then. To be sure, the drawings provided in this embodiment are only explaining the basic conception of this invention, and thus do not show the actual number, size and shape of the component put into practice but only showing the component associated with the invention; The type, number and proportion of the components actually put into practice can be a random change, and the component layout pattern may also be more complex. Unless otherwise specified, the words “up” , “down” , “left” , and “right” used herein are all from the perspective of the observer in the attached drawing.

Fig. 1 is a logical diagram about the basic structure of the electronic atomizer invented this time. The electronic atomizer of the present invention comprises pressure sensor 1, which is used to sense the air pressure change in the atomizer and send signal to control circuit 2, which is usually composed of embedded system, programmable logic devices, etc., and used to receive control signals and run control programs to control the working state of electronic heating unit 3, including the on and off of its circuit or the electric power. Electronic heating unit 3 is used to heat the liquid to form an aerosol.

In the following, the control logic in control circuit 2 will be introduced in combination with figures 2 to 3, where Fig. 2 shows the control logic of control circuit 2. Fig. 3 is a curve about air pressure change in the atomizer during use. The use of atomizer starts with the application of negative pressure to the suction port; During the use, the negative pressure increases gradually, reaches the peak, and then becomes smaller and returns to zero at the end of the process. Generally, curves C1 (continuous line) and C2 (dotted line) represent two using processes with different duration and intensity respectively in Fig. 3.

S1: The air pressure sensor monitors whether the air pressure in the atomizer is lower than that at the start point, namely, P1, if yes, going to steps S21 and S21′. As mentioned above, the use of atomizer starts with the application of negative pressure to the suction port, so negative pressure in the atomizer can characterize the starting of the use. Obviously, the threshold of P1 at the start point needs to be higher than the vertex pressure (at the lowest point) , if it is set too high, it is easy to give rise to misjudgment. If it is set too low, the experience of use would be affected. Generally, it is set between -100 and -400Pa.

S21′: Start the heating circuit. Specifically, start the working circuit of electronic heating unit 3, so that it keeps to heating the liquid into aerosol.

S21: Dynamically detect the vertex pressure. This means monitoring the air pressure change in the atomizer, finding the vertex of the negative pressure, and then going to step S22. In Fig. 3, vertex 1 shall be found for curve C1, and vertex 2 for curve C2.

S22: Figure out the threshold at the break point in use according to the vertex of the negative pressure, and then go to step S23. It is not difficult to understand that pressure at the break point shall be lower than the pressure at the start point, namely, P1, to achieve the purpose of using the residual temperature of the electronic heating unit and reducing the condensate. In this embodiment, the threshold at the break point is figured out via multiplying the vertex negative pressure by a percentage. The optimal percentage ranges from 30%to 50%.

S21 and S22 above is optimal, theyneed to be executed to find the exact break point upon each use by dynamic detection when the process of each use (suction) is not completely the same, and pressure vertex in the atomizer is uncertain under this circumstance. However, if each process of use (suction) is the same, for instance, under medical spray generator and other occasions, the suction is performed by machine or under program control, and the vertex is certain, then the pressure threshold at the break point can be figured out directly through the vertex, and there is no need to specifically detect the vertex dynamically each time.

S23: Monitor and determine whether the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than the threshold at the break point, if yes, go to step S24; Otherwise, continue the monitoring.

S24: Turn off the heating circuit.

In steps S23 and 24 above, control circuit 2 disconnects the working circuit of electronic heating unit 3 at the break point. As shown in Fig. 3, for process C1, the use does not end at break point 1. If the heating circuit of electronic heating unit 3 is turned off at this time, the liquid would be atomized by the residual temperature of electronic heating unit 3 in the process after break point 1. The aerosol atomized by the residual temperature will be extracted out of the atomizer to great reduce the condensate since the atomizer still bears negative pressure at the moment. It is similar for process C2: If the working circuit of electronic heating unit 3 is disconnected at break point 2, and the subsequent process uses the residual temperature of the electronic heating unit for atomization.

The invention also provides an atomization method, the process of which can be represented as Fig. 2, and the instructions of each step are the same as above and will not be repeated.

As described above, the electronic atomizer and atomization method of the present invention powers off the heating unit before the end of the use by selecting different thresholds for turning on and off the heating circuit so that the aerosol generated by the residual temperature of the heating unit can be maximally discharged from the atomizer, and the condensate can be reduced. According to the preferred embodiment, the optimal turn-off threshold can be figured out for each use, and the effect of use is further optimized.

The above embodiments are illustrative only of the principle and effectiveness of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person who is familiar with the technique may modify or alter the above embodiments without prejudice to the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiment, the control circuit only controls the on and off states of the circuit of electronic heating unit. In practice, the control logic can be further refined; For instance, the control circuit could analyze the characteristics of each use via machine learning and artificial intelligence technology, and at the break point, it does not disconnect the working circuit of electronic heating unit directly, but just gradually lowers the output power of electric heating unit eventually stops heating to control the atomization process more accurately. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with common sense in the technical field to which the invention belongs without prejudice to the spirit and technical ideas revealed by the invention shall still be covered by the claims of the invention.

Claims

An atomization method characterized in that it covers:

monitor whether the air pressure in the atomizer is lower than that at the start point, if yes, start the electronic heating unit;

monitor whether the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than that at the break point, and turning off the electronic heating unit if it is higher;

Wherein, the air pressure at the break point is lower than that at the start point and higher than the vertex pressure during the use of the atomizer.
The atomization method mentioned in claim 1 is characterized in that air pressure at the start point ranges from -100 ～-400Pa.
The atomization method mentioned in claim 1 is characterized in that the break point is a preset pressure threshold.
The atomization method mentioned in claim 1 is characterized in that the pressure vertex is determined upon dynamic detection; The break point is figured out via multiplying the vertex pressure by a percentage.
The atomization method mentioned in claim 4 is characterized in that the break point is figured out via multiplying the vertex pressure by a percentage.
The atomization method mentioned in claim 5 is characterized in that the percentage means 30%～50%.
The atomization method mentioned in claim 5 is characterized in that the step for turning off the electronic heating unit means the final shutdown of the electronic heating unit by gradually bringing down the output power of the electronic heating.
An electronic atomizer characterized in that it comprises:

an air pressure sensor, a control circuit, and an electronic heating unit;

The air pressure sensor is used to sense air pressure change in the electronic atomizer, and send a signal to the control circuit; The control circuit is used to receive the signal, and control the electronic heating unit by the preset control method; The electronic heating unit is used to heat the liquid to form an aerosol;

The control method means:

starting the electronic heating unit when the signal indicates that the air pressure in the electronic atomizer is lower than that at the start point; and turning off the electronic heating unit when the signal indicates that the air pressure in the atomizer is higher than that at the break point;

Wherein, the air pressure at the break point is lower than that at the start point and higher than the vertex pressure in the electronic atomizer.
The electronic atomizer mentioned in claim 8 is characterized in that air pressure at the start point ranges from -100 ～-400Pa.
The electronic atomizer mentioned in claim 8 is characterized in that the break point is a preset pressure threshold.
The electronic atomizer mentioned in claim 8 is characterized in that the pressure vertex in the electronic atomizer is determined upon dynamic detection; The break point is figured out via multiplying the vertex pressure by a percentage.
The electronic atomizer mentioned in claim 11 is characterized in that the break point is figured out via multiplying the vertex pressure by a percentage.
The electronic atomizer mentioned in claim 12 is characterized in that the percentage means 30%～50%.
The electronic atomizer mentioned in claim 12 is characterized in that the step for turning off the electronic heating unit means gradually bringing down the output power of the electronic heating until completely shutdown.