Liquid atomization circuit and device using the same
Inventors
Tsai, Wen-Yu • Cheng, Chieh-Sheng
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10792691-B2
Publication Date
2020-10-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A liquid atomization circuit for controlling a spray module that atomizes liquids is provided. The liquid atomization circuit includes a driving unit and a control unit. The driving unit can output a driving voltage so as to drive the spray module directly. The control unit is coupled to the driving unit to drive the driving unit so that the driving unit outputs a driving voltage. The spray module includes a first lead and a second lead. The first lead is coupled to the driving unit, and the second lead is coupled to the control unit. The control unit can output a predetermined voltage to the spray module.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a liquid atomization circuit for controlling a spray module that atomizes liquids. The circuit includes a driving unit that outputs a driving voltage to drive the spray module and a control unit coupled to the driving unit to control the driving unit so that the driving unit outputs the output voltage. The spray module includes a first lead and a second lead, and the control unit outputs a predetermined voltage to the spray module.
The circuit determines an electrolysis mode based on a voltage relationship between the driving voltage and the predetermined voltage. When the driving voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage, the spray module performs a direct electrolysis process in which the liquids are electrolyzed into cations and anions, the cations moving towards a second electrode of the spray module and the anions moving towards a first electrode. When the driving voltage is smaller than the predetermined voltage, the spray module performs a reverse electrolysis process in which the cations move towards the first electrode and the anions move towards the second electrode.
A key aspect is that the control sets a predetermined positive reference voltage and drives the spray module with a driving voltage that can be pulsating DC. The driving and control voltage relationship selects direct versus reverse electrolysis so that the ion migration directions are swapped between the first electrode and the second electrode. This is presented as reducing electrolysis-product buildup on the electrodes, thereby improving atomization efficiency, extending service life, and lowering noise and energy use versus prior converter-ground configurations.
Claims Coverage
The partial document includes three independent claims that collectively define the liquid atomization circuit architecture with first and second leads and a predetermined voltage, an alternative architecture that adds an explicit voltage supply unit coupled between the control unit and the spray module, and a liquid atomization device that integrates the circuit into a main body. Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on electrolysis-mode selection by comparing the driving voltage with the predetermined voltage, and on directing cation/anion migration to first and second electrodes differently for direct versus reverse electrolysis.
Direct-versus-reverse electrolysis based on driving vs predetermined voltage
When the driving voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage, the spray module performs a direct electrolysis process; when the driving voltage is smaller than the predetermined voltage, the spray module performs a reverse electrolysis process, wherein in the direct electrolysis process the liquids are electrolyzed into cations and anions, the cations moving towards a second electrode of the spray module, the anions moving towards a first electrode of the spray module, and wherein in the reverse electrolysis process the liquids are electrolyzed into cations and anions, the cations moving towards the first electrode, the anions moving towards the second electrode.
First and second lead coupling to driving unit and control unit with predetermined voltage
The spray module includes a first lead and a second lead, the first lead being directly coupled to the driving unit, the second lead being directly coupled to the control unit, and the control unit outputting a predetermined voltage to the spray module.
Driving unit output voltage under control unit and spray-module atomizing operation control
A driving unit outputs a driving voltage so as to drive the spray module; and a control unit coupled to the driving unit is configured to control the driving unit so that the driving unit outputs the output voltage, wherein the liquid atomization circuit controls the atomizing operation of the spray module.
Voltage supply unit delivering predetermined voltage to spray module
A voltage supply unit coupled between the control unit and the spray module, wherein the spray module includes a first lead and a second lead, the first lead being coupled to the driving unit, the second lead being coupled to the voltage supply unit, and the voltage supply unit outputting a predetermined voltage to the spray module.
Liquid atomization device integrating the liquid atomization circuit in a main body
A liquid atomization device, comprising a main body, a liquid atomization circuit disposed in the main body, the liquid atomization circuit including a driving unit and a control unit configured to control the driving unit so that the driving unit outputs the output voltage, and a spray module coupled to the liquid atomization circuit, wherein the liquid atomization circuit controls the atomizing operation of the spray module, and wherein the direct and reverse electrolysis processes are defined by cation/anion migration towards the first and second electrodes based on the driving voltage being greater than or smaller than the predetermined voltage.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of a spray module having first and second leads/electrodes, a driving unit providing a driving voltage under control of a control unit with a predetermined voltage delivered either directly by the control unit or via a voltage supply unit, and an electrolysis-mode selection mechanism that compares the driving voltage to the predetermined voltage to perform direct versus reverse electrolysis with different cation/anion migration directions to the first and second electrodes.
Stated Advantages
Improves atomization efficiency.
Reduces electrolysis-product buildup on the electrodes.
Extends service life.
Lowers noise.
Lowers energy use versus prior art converter-ground configurations.
Documented Applications
A liquid atomization device that controls atomizing operation of a spray module using direct-versus-reverse electrolysis selection based on driving voltage relative to a predetermined voltage.
Interested in licensing this patent?