U.S. patent application number 16/074760 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-07 for high frequency polarization aerosol generator.
The applicant listed for this patent is FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.. Invention is credited to Lik HON, Zhuoran LI.
Application Number | 20190037925 16/074760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59685799 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190037925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HON; Lik ; et al. |
February 7, 2019 |
HIGH FREQUENCY POLARIZATION AEROSOL GENERATOR
Abstract
A vaporizing device such as an electronic cigarette includes a
housing (11) containing a battery (12) or other electrical power
source electrically connected to a high frequency oscillation
circuit (50). Two electrodes or electrode pads (56) with a liquid
space (70) between them are electrically connected to the high
frequency oscillation circuit (50). A liquid supply (34) in the C
housing (11) provides a liquid into the liquid space (70). The high
frequency oscillation circuit (50) is switched on by a manual
switch or by a sensor (24) sensing inhalation by a user. The liquid
is vaporized by dielectric heating.
Inventors: |
HON; Lik; (Beijing, CN)
; LI; Zhuoran; (Beijing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V. |
Amsterdam |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
59685799 |
Appl. No.: |
16/074760 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
February 23, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/074334 |
371 Date: |
August 1, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2205/8206 20130101;
A24F 47/008 20130101; A61M 15/0001 20140204; A61M 15/06
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; A61M 15/00 20060101 A61M015/00 |
Claims
1. A vaporizing device comprising: a housing containing an
electrical power source electrically connected to a high frequency
oscillation circuit; first and second electrodes electrically
connected to the high frequency oscillation circuit, with a liquid
space between the first and second electrodes; a liquid supply in
the housing positioned to provide a polar liquid into the liquid
space; and a switch electrically connected to the high frequency
oscillation circuit for turning on the high frequency oscillation
circuit to vaporize the liquid via dielectric heating.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises an inhalation
sensor connected to an electronic controller.
3. The device of claim 1 with the first and second electrodes
comprising first and second electrode pads including a first
insulator on the first electrode and a second insulator on the
second conductor, respectively.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid space is annular.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid space is dimensioned to
allow liquid to flow into the liquid space via capillary
forces.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid comprises propylene
glycol, glycerol or vegetable glycerin.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid has a dipole moment of
1.0 to 8.0 Debyes.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the liquid has a dipole moment 1.0
to 4.0.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a
battery.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the high frequency oscillation
circuit operates a frequency of 50 KHz to 980 MHz.
11. A vaporizing device comprising: a housing containing an
electrical power source electrically connected to a high frequency
oscillation circuit; first and second electrode pads electrically
connected to the high frequency oscillation circuit; a liquid space
between the first and second electrode pads; a liquid supply in the
housing positioned to provide a polar liquid into the liquid space;
a switch electrically connected to the high frequency oscillation
circuit for turning on the high frequency oscillation circuit to
vaporize the liquid via dielectric heating.
12. The vaporizing device of claim 11 with each electrode pad
including a heat insulation layer on an electrode.
13. The vaporizing device of claim 11 with the heat insulation
layer comprising a porous material or a fiber material.
14. The vaporizing device of claim 12 with the heat insulation
layer comprising an air gap.
15. The vaporizing device of claim 11 with each electrode pad
comprising an electrically conductive carbon aerogel.
16. The vaporizing device of claim 11 further including a liquid
conductor extending from the liquid supply to the liquid space.
17. The vaporizing device of claim 11 with each electrode pad
having a round or rectangular shape.
18. The vaporizing device of claim 11 with one or both of the
electrode pads comprising a tube.
19. The vaporizing device of claim 11 with one or both of the
electrode pads comprising a metal mesh material.
20. The device of claim 11 wherein the high frequency oscillation
circuit operates a frequency of 50 KHz to 980 MHz and at a voltage
of 30 to 5000 V.
21-25. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic
smoking devices, electronic cigarettes, and similar vaporizing
devices and methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic
cigarette (e-cigarette), typically has a housing accommodating an
electric power source (e.g. a single use or rechargeable battery,
electrical plug, or other power source), and an electrically
operable atomizer. The atomizer vaporizes liquid supplied from a
reservoir and converts liquid into a vapor or aerosol. Control
electronics control the activation of the atomizer. In some
devices, an airflow sensor is provided to detect a user puffing on
the device (e.g., by sensing an under-pressure or an air flow
pattern through the device). The airflow sensor signals the puff to
the control electronics to power up the device and generate vapor.
In other devices, a switch is used to switch on the electrically
operable atomizer. These types of devices are collectively referred
to here as e-cigarettes, although they may be sized and shaped
unlike a conventional tobacco cigarette.
[0003] The electrically operable atomizers often use a resistance
heater to heat the liquid. Resistance heaters in the form of a wire
coil have been widely used in many e-cigarette designs. Ceramic
plate heaters and solid heater rods have also been proposed. While
these and others have been successfully used in the past, they also
present performance considerations including, depending on the
specific design, corrosion or build-up of residue on the heating
element, short and long term changes in electrical resistance, and
other factors which may affect the generation of vapor.
Accordingly, engineering challenges remain in the design of
e-cigarettes and specifically in the design of atomizers as used in
e-cigarettes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a vaporizing device
includes a housing containing an electrical power source such as a
battery electrically connected to a high frequency oscillation
circuit. First and second conductors are electrically connected to
the high frequency oscillation circuit, with a liquid space between
the first and second conductors. A liquid supply in the housing is
positioned to provide a liquid into the liquid space. A switch is
electrically connected to the high frequency oscillation circuit
for turning on the high frequency oscillation circuit to vaporize
the liquid via dielectric heating. The switch may be provided as an
inhalation sensor connected to an electronic controller. The liquid
space may be planar or annular, and dimensioned to allow liquid to
flow into the liquid space via capillary forces.
[0005] In a method of use, a polar liquid is supplied to a space
between first and second conductors connected to an oscillating
high frequency source. Molecules of the polar liquid are vibrated
at high frequency via the oscillating electric field created
between the first and second conductors. The vibration generates
heat within the liquid causing the liquid to change into vapor. The
polar liquid may include nicotine or other physiologically active
substance, which is contained in the vapor and inhaled by a
user.
[0006] The characteristics, features and advantages of this
invention and the manner in which they are obtained will become
more apparent and be more clearly understood in connection with the
following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings, the same element number indicates the same
element in each of the views.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an
exemplary e-cigarette.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic of inductance coupling oscillation
voltage boost circuit
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic of capacitor oscillation circuit.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic of transformer oscillation
circuit.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic of push-pull type oscillation
circuit.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic of MOSFET push-pull type oscillation
circuit.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a section view of electrode pads of the atomizer
shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a section view of electrode pads with a liquid
conductor or wick.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a top view of a mesh electrode pad.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a section view of tube type electrode pad.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a diagram of voltage boost before the oscillation
circuit.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a diagram of voltage boost after the oscillation
circuit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] As is shown in FIG. 1, an e-cigarette 10 typically has a
housing 11 having a cylindrical hollow tube which may be single
piece or a multiple piece tube. In FIG. 1, the cylindrical hollow
tube is shown as a two piece structure having a battery section 12
and an atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14. Together the battery
section 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14 form a
device which is approximately the same size and shape as a
conventional cigarette, typically about 100 mm with a 7.5 mm
diameter, although lengths may range from 70 to 150 or 180 mm, and
diameters from 5 to 20 mm.
[0021] The battery section 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir
section 14 are typically made of metal or plastic and act together
with end caps provide a housing to contain the operative elements
of the e-cigarette 10. The battery section 12 and a atomizer/liquid
reservoir section 14 may be configured to fit together by a
friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonet attachment, magnetic
fit, or screw threads. An end cap 16 is provided at the front end
of the battery section 12. The end cap 16 may be translucent to
allow an LED 20 positioned near the end cap to emit light through
the end cap. Alternatively the end cap may be opaque and the LED
omitted.
[0022] An air inlet 38 may be provided in the end cap, at the edge
of the inlet next to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along
the length of the cylindrical hollow tube, or at the connection of
the battery section 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir section
14. FIG. 1 shows a pair of air inlets 38 provided at the
intersection between the battery section 12 and the atomizer/liquid
reservoir section 14 .DELTA.n air outlet 40 is provided at the back
end of the atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14 remote from the end
cap 16. The air outlet 40 may be formed in the atomizer/liquid
reservoir section 14 or it may be formed in a separate end cap or
mouthpiece.
[0023] A battery 18, the LED 20, control electronics 22 and
optionally an airflow sensor 24 are provided within the battery
section 12. The battery 18 is electrically connected to the control
electronics 22, which is electrically connected to the LED 20 and
the airflow sensor 24. In this example the LED 20 is at the front
end of the battery section 12, adjacent to the end cap 16 and the
control electronics 22 and airflow sensor 24 are provided in the
central cavity at the other end of the battery 18 adjacent the
atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14. The control electronics 22
may include a programmable microprocessor.
[0024] The airflow sensor 24 acts as a puff detector, detecting a
user inhaling or sucking on the outlet 40. The airflow sensor 24
can be any suitable sensor for detecting changes in airflow or air
pressure such a microphone switch including a deformable membrane
which is caused to move by variations in air pressure.
Alternatively the sensor may be a Hall element or an
electro-mechanical sensor.
[0025] The control electronics 22 are also connected to an atomizer
26 provided in the atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14. A central
passage 32 may be surrounded by a cylindrical liquid supply 34 with
a supply tube or wick 30 abutting or extending into the liquid
supply 34. The wick 30 may be a porous material such as a bundle of
fiberglass fibers, with liquid 36 in the liquid supply 34 drawn by
capillary action through the wick to the atomizer 26.
[0026] The liquid supply 34 may be a flex wall or rigid wall bottle
or container holding bulk liquid or alternatively it may include
wadding soaked in liquid which encircles the central passage 32
with the ends of the wick 30 abutting the wadding. The liquid
supply 34 may optionally be provided as a toroidal cavity arranged
to be filled with liquid and with the ends of the wick 30 extending
into the toroidal cavity.
[0027] Where the liquid is polar, or is otherwise subject to
dielectric heating, the atomizer 26 may operate by vibrating the
molecules of liquid via a high frequency electric field (AC). This
vibration generates heat in the liquid, changing the liquid into
vapor. The heat is generated inside the liquid. Consequently, there
is no transferring of heat from a heating element, such as a
resistance coil, into the liquid. Overheating and degradation are
avoided. The liquid may include propylene glycol, glycerol or
glycerin, and have a dipole moment of 1.0 to 8.0 Debyes.
[0028] The atomizer 26 may be provided as first and second
electrodes or electrode pads or plates 56 electrically connected to
a high frequency oscillation circuit 50, with a liquid space 70
between the pads 56. The electrode pads 56 are electrically
conducting, and may be metal, with or without a non-conducting
protective film or layer. The electrode pads 56 can have various
shapes, such as flat and round, triangular, square, tooth-like or
rectangular. The dimension DD of the open space between the
electrode pads 56 forming the liquid space 70 may be selected so
that liquid is drawn into the liquid space 70 via capillary action.
This dimension DD will vary depending on the characteristics of the
liquid and may typically range from 0.5 to 4 mm. Where flat
electrode pads 56 are used, they are generally aligned and parallel
to each other.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a wire or metal mesh electrode pad 90 which may
be used in place of solid pads. FIG. 10 shows a tubular atomizer 96
having a tubular or cylindrical heat insulation layer 98, a metal
conductor or other conductive layer 100, and porous material or
fiber layer 102.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a high frequency oscillation circuit 50, in
this case provided as an inductance coupling oscillation circuit
52. An inductor 54 and electrode pads 56 form an LC basic
oscillation loop. A capacitor 58 provides a positive feedback
signal and a transistor 60 forms the oscillation circuit. Liquid 36
between the electrode pads 56 undergoes dielectric heating to
create a vapor.
[0031] The vapor is entrained air flow through the housing 11 and
cools and condenses to form an aerosol. FIG. 3 shows a capacitor
isolation circuit 124 with a transformer 112 isolated via
capacitors 58, FIG. 6 shows a MOSFET push-pull type oscillation
circuit 122 which may also be used.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 7, a thermal insulator or insulation layer
72 may be provided on the back and/or the sides of the electrode
pads 56. The insulation layer 72 may be an open space or gap filled
with air and/or aerosol, porous material, or fiber material. The
electrode pad material preferably combines both heat insulation and
electrical conductivity. Carbon aerogel may be used as the
electrode pad material.
[0033] Turning to FIG. 8, a liquid conductor 80 may be used to
provide a continuous supply of liquid to the atomizer 26. The
liquid conductor 80 may be a porous material extending between the
two electrode pads 56.
[0034] The nominal voltage of the battery 18 (typically 1-12 V DC)
may be increased using various techniques. FIG. 11 shows an
inverter 110 inverting the low battery DC voltage via an inverter
to a high voltage and then oscillating to provide a high frequency
oscillation voltage to the atomizer 26. FIG. 12 shows a design with
the oscillation circuit 50 generating a high frequency AC voltage
output with a transformer 112 increasing the AC voltage which is
then applied to the electrode pads 56. Alternatively, an inverter
110 may be used to increase the DC voltage to drive the oscillation
circuit 50, with a transformer 112 used to increase the AC voltage
applied to electrode pads 56.
[0035] High frequency voltage can be generated from a transformer
isolation circuit 118 as shown in FIG. 4, a push-pull oscillator
120, as shown in FIG. 5, or via a MOSFET push-pull oscillation
circuit 122 as shown in FIG. 6, with the oscillator output
connected to the electrode pads 56. The high frequency oscillation
circuit may operate at 50 KHz to 980 MHz and at 30 volts to 5000
volts. Different liquid compositions will vaporize efficiently
using frequency and voltage combinations within these ranges.
[0036] In use, a user inhales on the outlet 40 causing air to be
drawn into the housing 11 via the air inlet 38 and through the
central passage 32. The resulting change in air pressure is
detected by the airflow sensor 24 (if used) which generates an
electrical signal that is passed to the control electronics 22. In
response to the signal, the control electronics 22 activates the
atomizer 26 which causes liquid 36 in the liquid space 70 to be
vaporized via dielectric heating creating an aerosol (which may
include gaseous and liquid components) within the central passage
32. Where the liquid has polar molecules, such as water or glycol,
or if the liquid has weakly bonded molecules, the molecules tend to
orient into alignment with oscillating electric field, causing
molecular dipole rotation, which can quickly heat the liquid via
dielectric heating.
[0037] As the user continues to inhale, the vapor is drawn through
the central passage 32 and inhaled by the user. At the same time
the control electronics 22 may activate the LED 20 (if used)
causing the LED 20 to light up and create light which is visible
via the translucent end cap 16 simulating the appearance of a
glowing ember at the end of a conventional cigarette. As liquid
present in the wick 30 is converted into an aerosol more liquid is
drawn into the wick 30 from the liquid supply 34 by capillary
action and moved to the atomizer 26.
[0038] Some e-cigarette are intended to be disposable and the
electric power of the battery 18 is intended to be sufficient to
vaporize the liquid contained within the liquid supply 34 after
which the e-cigarette 10 is thrown away. In other embodiments the
battery 18 is rechargeable and the liquid supply is refillable. In
the cases where the liquid supply 34 is a toroidal cavity, this may
be achieved by refilling the liquid supply via a refill port. The
atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14 may be detachable from the
battery section 12 and a new atomizer/liquid reservoir section 14
can be fitted with a new liquid supply 34 thereby replenishing the
supply of liquid. In some cases, replacing the liquid supply 34 may
involve replacement of the atomizer 26 and the wick 30 along with
the replacement of the liquid supply 34.
[0039] The new liquid supply 34 may be in the form of a cartridge,
optionally having the central passage 32 through which a user
inhales aerosol. Rather than inhaling aerosol via a central passage
32, the cartridge may block the central section of the e-cigarette
10 and generated aerosol may be directed around the exterior of the
cartridge to the outlet 40 for inhalation.
[0040] Of course, in addition to the above description of the
structure and function of a typical e-cigarette 10, variations also
exist. For example, the LED 20 may be omitted. The airflow sensor
24 may be placed adjacent the end cap 16 rather than in the middle
of the e-cigarette. The airflow sensor 24 may be replaced with a
switch which enables a user to activate the e-cigarette manually
rather than in response to the detection of a change in air flow or
air pressure.
[0041] Thus, novel designs have been shown and described. Various
changes and substitutions may of course be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention,
therefore, should not be limited, except by the following claims
and their equivalents.
* * * * *