# US 2018/0021528 A1 · Nebulization generating apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021528 A1 - Document ID: US20180021528A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/653,530 - Filed: 2017-07-19 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-19 - Assignees: Microbase Technology Corp. - Applicants: MicroBase Technology Corp. - Inventors: SHU-PIN HSIEH; YI-TONG CHEN; TING-KAI TSAI; PO-CHUAN CHEN; CHIH-WEI LU - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021528A1 ## CPC - A61M 11/005: {using ultrasonics (spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06)} - A61M 15/0001: {Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof} - A61M 15/0085: {using ultrasonics (spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06)} - B05B 15/18: for improving resistance to wear, e.g. inserts or coatings; for indicating wear; for handling or replacing worn parts - B05B 17/0646: {Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto} - B05B 17/0653: {Details} - A61M 2205/0294: Piezoelectric materials - A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base - A61M 2205/123: with incorporated reservoirs - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract An aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid container, an adaptor detachably engaged with the liquid container, and a driving element accommodated by the adaptor. A perforated membrane, through which a liquid can pass through, is disposed at an exit of the liquid container. Moreover, the perforated membrane faces the driving element. The driving element includes a substrate coupled with a piezoelectric element. The substrate includes an aperture that corresponds to the perforated membrane when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged so as to receive liquid. Moreover, when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged, the perforated membrane is in contact with the substrate at the proximity of the aperture, which is about the substrate's center. The adaptor is configured to contact the substrate's periphery only. The resulting apparatus generates aerosol at a desired efficiency with less energy needed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a liquid container including a perforated membrane through which a liquid can pass through; an adaptor configured to be detachably engaged with the liquid container; and a driving element including a piezoelectric element coupled to a substrate, wherein the driving element is accommodated by the adaptor, and the substrate includes an aperture that corresponds to the perforated membrane when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged, wherein the aperture is proximate to the substrate's center, and the adaptor is configured to contact the substrate's periphery. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor includes at least one jack for contacting the substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the substrate's periphery is adhered to the at least one jack. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one jack further comprise a first surface, and the first surface extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adaptor such that the substrate is mounted on and in contact with the first surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, the at least one jack further comprise a second surface extending along the longitudinal axis of the adaptor such that the substrate is in contact with both the first and the second surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is supported by the at least one jack. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor is configured to contact the substrate's periphery at no more than three locations. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a space is formed between the adaptor and the substrate when the adaptor contacts the substrate's periphery. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a first liquid inlet side and a first liquid outlet side, and the adaptor includes a second liquid inlet side and a second liquid outlet side, wherein a space is maintained between the first liquid outlet side and the second liquid inlet side. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor includes three or more jacks for contacting the substrate and maintaining the substrate at a predetermined height. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is made of metal and the jack of the adaptor is of material other than metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a projection is formed at a liquid inlet surface of the substrate, and the aperture corresponds to the projection, wherein the perforated membrane is in contact with the projection when the liquid container is engaged with the adaptor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a pressing force in a direction perpendicular to the substrate is provided by the membrane against the projection such that position of the substrate relative to the adaptor is maintained. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the substrate further includes a planar part at the liquid inlet surface extending away from the projection, and wherein when the liquid container is engaged with the adaptor, a space is maintained between the perforated membrane and the planar part. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is partially supported by the adaptor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only part of the substrate's periphery is in contact with the adaptor when the liquid container is engaged with the adaptor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor comprises at least one electrical contact for providing electrical power to the piezoelectric element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein no more than six percent of the substrate is in contact with the adaptor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element is a circular ring. ### Claim 20 An aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a liquid source with a perforated membrane through which a liquid can pass through; an adaptor detachably engaged with the liquid container, and the adaptor includes an interface configured to receive the liquid source; and a driving element accommodated by the adaptor and including a piezoelectric element and a substrate, and the substrate includes an aperture proximate to the substrate's center that corresponds to the perforated membrane when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged, wherein the adaptor further includes a means for supporting a portion of the substrate's periphery, wherein when provided with electric power, the piezoelectric element vibrates the perforated membrane, through which the liquid passes and aerosolizes.