Method and mounting bracket for manufacturing a vaporizer assembly for an inhaler

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an evaporator assembly (50) for an inhaler, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of connection locations (14) and performing at least one mounting step at each connection location (14) in order to manufacture a respective evaporator assembly (50) at each connection location (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vaporizer assembly for an inhaler, preferably an electronic cigarette. Background Art

[0002] EP 3025601 B1 discloses a method for producing a vaporizer cartridge for an electronic cigarette, in which electrodes for electrical heater contacts are punched out successively from a sheet metal strip.

[0003] JPS 61214544 discloses electrically connecting semiconductor components to a punched grid, wherein the semiconductor components are packaged and separated. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an efficient serial production possibility for evaporator components In this case, the evaporator should be electrically connected in a secure manner and thermally decoupled as much as possible.

[0005] The invention achieves this object by providing a plurality of connection locations and carrying out at each connection location at least one assembly step in order to produce an evaporator component at each connection location.

[0006] According to the invention, a plurality of connection locations are provided and at each connection location at least one assembly step, preferably a plurality of assembly steps, is carried out in order to produce an evaporator component at each connection location.

[0007] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connection locations are connected to one another via a mounting frame. The mounting frame is advantageously metallic, strip-shaped and / or rollable / unrollable. With the aid of the mounting frame, a large number of connection locations for the evaporator can thus be provided in strips, continuously and in a row with one another for machining.

[0008] For electrically connecting the evaporator, at least one electrically conductive connection surface (joint surface), for example made of gold, is advantageously provided at each connection point.

[0009] The mounting method advantageously comprises a mounting step of coupling the evaporator carrier to one or each coupling location. This can be achieved particularly advantageously by overmolding the mounting frame with plastic. In addition, an mounting step of coupling the evaporator to one or each coupling location is advantageously provided, in particular by means of an adhesive.

[0010] The electrical connection of each evaporator is then advantageously effected by electrical connection and / or wiring to one or each electrically conductive connection surface.

[0011] Advantageously, the installation method includes one or more of the following installation step groups: placing and / or connecting a wick element in or on an evaporator assembly; placing at least one sealing element for sealing a liquid into one or each evaporator assembly; placing and / or connecting an identification element in or on an evaporator assembly; wrapping one or each evaporator assembly with an evaporator housing; connecting a flue to a flue receiving portion of one or each evaporator assembly; and installing and / or filling a liquid tank on one or each evaporator assembly.

[0012] At a suitable point in time in the assembly method, the at least partially assembled evaporator assembly can be partially separated, in particular by disconnecting it from one side of the mounting frame. Afterwards, the prefabricated evaporator housing can be pushed onto the free end of the evaporator assembly, for example. However, the evaporator housing can also be produced by injection molding at the connection point.

[0013] Finally, the evaporator assembly is completely separated by completely disconnecting it from the mounting frame in order to obtain the evaporator assembly, evaporator unit or evaporator cartridge according to the embodiment.

[0014] The mounting frame according to the invention is advantageously strip-shaped, preferably provided essentially without end and preferably fed in a work cycle for carrying out the mounting steps. In an advantageous embodiment, the mounting frame comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of longitudinal webs extending in the feed direction, wherein the coupling locations are advantageously arranged in one or more rows parallel to the longitudinal webs. Guide elements or guide openings are preferably provided on or in at least one longitudinal web at regular intervals.

[0015] Further advantageously, the mounting frame has at least one transverse web at each connection point, which transverse web extends transversely from at least one longitudinal web. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of at least one transverse web remains permanently in the evaporator assembly and advantageously forms at least one electrical contact for electrically contacting the evaporator in the finished product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings by means of preferred embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 showing a top perspective view of the mounting frame;

[0018] Figure 2 showing a top perspective view of a mounting frame with an evaporator carrier coupled at a coupling location;

[0019] Figure 3 showing a top perspective view of a mounting bracket with an evaporator coupled at a coupling location;

[0020] Figure 4A schematic diagram of a pressure device for applying adhesive to an evaporator carrier is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 shows a cross section through an evaporator assembly;

[0022] Figure 6 A top perspective view of a mounting frame with an evaporator electrically connected or wired is shown;

[0023] Figure 7 showing a bottom perspective view of the mounting bracket with identification elements;

[0024] Figure 8 showing a top perspective view of the mounting frame with the evaporator assembly partially separated;

[0025] Fig. 9 showing a bottom perspective view of the mounting frame with the evaporator assembly partially separated;

[0026] Fig.10 shows a top perspective view of a mounting frame with a sleeved evaporator housing for forming an evaporator unit;

[0027] Fig.11 shows a top perspective view of a mounting frame with a cartridge housing attached to form an evaporator cartridge;

[0028] Fig.12 A perspective view showing an evaporator cartridge being separated;

[0029] Fig.13 shows a cross section through a separated evaporator cartridge;

[0030] Fig.14 shows a cross section through a separated evaporator cartridge in another embodiment; and

[0031] Fig.15 Shown is a top view of a double-wide mounting frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In particular, the strip-shaped mounting bracket 10 extends continuously or almost endlessly in a longitudinal direction V, which corresponds to the feed direction V during processing in a production machine. Figure 1Only a fragment of a complete mounting frame 10 is shown. The mounting frame 10 is arranged and set up in one or more mounting machines for continuous processing; this will be described in detail later. For mounting, the mounting frame 10 is fed in one or more mounting machines along a feed direction V. The mounting frame 10 is advantageously drawn from a reel and is therefore advantageously unrollable / rollable. It may be advantageous for the mounting frame 10 to be rolled up again after the end of the mounting step (in the mounting machine) and to be unrolled again (possibly in the next mounting machine) for the next mounting step, for example when the individual mounting steps or individual mounting machine cycles are different. The individual strips can be changed to any length during the manufacturing method, for example by punching and / or splicing, for example by means of welding, so that an endless process and / or a change in the reel size is achieved.

[0033] The mounting frame 10 has, for example, two longitudinal webs 11, 12 extending continuously or nearly endlessly in the feed direction, which are advantageously arranged parallel to each other. In other embodiments, only one longitudinal web or more than two longitudinal webs may be provided (see Fig.15 One or more longitudinal webs 11, 12 are used for transporting or feeding the mounting frame 10 in the machine and can for this purpose have guide elements or, as here, guide openings 13 at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction V, into which, for example, corresponding guide parts of the machine engage.

[0034] The coupling locations 14 are formed at regular intervals and continuously in the longitudinal direction or feed direction of the mounting frame 10. Figure 1 1 , five connection locations 14 are shown, for example. Each connection location 14 is used to produce a corresponding vaporizer assembly for an inhaler. Each connection location 14 is advantageously formed by one or more transverse webs 15, 16, which extend transversely to the longitudinal webs 11, 12. The mounting frame 10 advantageously comprises a continuous transverse web 15, which extends from the longitudinal web 11 to the other longitudinal web 12 and thereby holds the mounting frame 10 together. Advantageously, at least one transverse web 15, further advantageously a plurality of transverse webs 15, for example two continuous transverse webs 15 are provided at each connection location 14.

[0035] Furthermore, at least one transverse web 16 can be provided for each connection point 14 , which web only extends discontinuously from the longitudinal web 11 , ie does not extend as far as the other longitudinal web 12 .

[0036] Spacers 17 may be provided on the or each consecutive transverse web 15 , which spacers advantageously extend in the longitudinal direction V between two coupling locations 14 in each case and define and / or maintain the spacing between the respective coupling locations 14 .

[0037] The mounting frame 10 is advantageously made of a conductive material, in particular metal, and is advantageously bendable in terms of processability. In an advantageous embodiment, the mounting frame 10 is made of a metal sheet and is, for example, punched out of the metal sheet and thus forms a punched grid.

[0038] Non-metallic materials, such as plastic, which may be conductive or metallically coated, may be used for the mounting bracket 10 .

[0039] The following is based on Figures 2 to 14 The manufacture of the evaporator assembly 50 is explained.

[0040] In a preceding step, the mounting frame 10 is manufactured, for example, by rolling. Next, for example, by punching, the mounting frame 10 is transformed into a shape to be machined (see Figure 1 ).

[0041] The mounting bracket 10 can then be at least partially surface-treated or electroplated optionally by means of material coating, embossing and / or polishing. For example, the punched mounting bracket 10 can be overmolded with plastic and then the plastic can serve as a mask for subsequent electroplating.

[0042] In a basis Figure 2 In the mounting step, starting from the mounting frame 10, an evaporator carrier 20 is connected to each connection point 14. The evaporator carrier 20 can advantageously be made of a suitable plastic, for example PEEK, and is advantageously resistant to gas discharge up to 300° C. To produce the evaporator carrier 20, the mounting frame 10, in particular one or more transverse webs 15, 16, can be overmolded, for example, at the corresponding connection point 14. For this purpose, the mounting frame 10 (see Figure 1 ) is drawn from a roll, for example, and guided through a multi-injection molding tool (not shown). In the mounting frame 10, in particular in at least one transverse web 15, at least one electrical connection surface 18, for example made of gold, can be provided.

[0043] After the mounting frame 10 has been overmolded at the coupling point 14, the mounting frame 10 is guided further in the longitudinal direction V. After leaving the injection molding tool, Figure 2 The mounting rack 10 with the connected evaporator carrier 20 shown in FIG. 1 is either rolled up onto a drum or further processed online. In the latter case, a buffer zone is advantageously provided for intermediate storage in the Figure 2 The mounting frame 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used because the processing speed of the injection molding tool and the processing speed of the subsequent processing device may generally be different.

[0044] Other methods are possible, for example the evaporator carrier 20 can be prefabricated, for example by injection molding, and clipped into the mounting frame 10 at the corresponding connection point 14. The evaporator carrier 20 can also be made of other materials, for example ceramic or a composite material.

[0045] In accordance with Figure 3 In the next installation step, an evaporator 21 is placed at each connection location 14, for example in a recess of the evaporator carrier 20 (see Figure 2 ), and the evaporator is connected to the evaporator carrier 20. For this purpose, the mounting frame 10 equipped with the evaporator carrier 20 (see Figure 2 ) is for example extracted from a roll and guided by a placement tool and a connection tool (not shown). Alternatively, the installation step can also be carried out in batch mode (batch mode).

[0046] The connection of the evaporator 21 to the evaporator carrier 20 can take place, for example, by means of an adhesive 22. In one embodiment, the adhesive 22 can be applied to the evaporator carrier 20 inline, that is, during the production process, by means of an application device 23. The application device 23 can have, for example, a wheel-shaped pressure head 24, which has a plurality of, for example, four pressure dies 25 for displacement (tampondruck), see Figure 4 Other adhesive application means are also possible. The adhesive 22 is advantageously temperature resistant to at least 300° C. and resistant to outgassing with respect to toxic vaporization, and stable with respect to evaporating liquids.

[0047] The adhesive 22 may be applied to the evaporator carrier 20 before the evaporator 21 is connected to the evaporator carrier 20 via the adhesive 22 (see Figure 4 ). Alternatively, the adhesive 22 can be applied to the evaporator 21 before the evaporator is connected to the evaporator carrier 20 via the adhesive 22. Advantageously, the evaporator 21 can also be placed on the evaporator carrier 20 first and then the adhesive 22, for example in liquid form, can be spread. The adhesive 22 can be arranged on the end face side and / or on the outside of the evaporator 21.

[0048] In the next step, the adhesive 22 is cured. This can take place by drying in air or advantageously by heat input, in particular in an oven. Alternatively, a UV-curable adhesive 22 can also be used, which is then cured by means of UV light. Curing can be carried out in batches (batch) or in a continuously operating method, for example in a continuously operating oven.

[0049] After leaving the Placement and Connection tools, Figure 3The mounting rack 10 shown in FIG. 1 with the connected evaporator 21 is either rolled up onto a reel or further processed online. In the latter case, a buffer zone is advantageously provided for intermediate storage. Figure 3 The mounting frame 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used because the processing speed of the placement tool and the connection tool and the processing speed of the subsequent processing device may generally be different.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the evaporator 21 is connected to the evaporator carrier 20 at the rear side. Figure 5 Thus, the adhesive 22 is arranged, for example, in a ring shape at the steam outlet side of the evaporator 21 and is connected to the back side of the evaporator carrier 20, that is, according to Figure 3 Arranging the evaporator 21 on the back has the advantage that the forces between the evaporator 21 and the wick element 27 explained later do not weaken the adhesive connection of the adhesive 22 and therefore less demands can be made on the adhesive 22 .

[0051] In accordance with Figure 6 In the next installation step, each evaporator 21 is electrically connected or wired (wire-bonding) in a wiring device by means of electrical conductors 28. For this purpose, the mounting frame 10 (see Figure 3 ) is drawn off a roll, for example, and is guided continuously through a wiring device (not shown). Alternatively, the electrical connection can also be carried out in batches (i.e. in batch mode). The electrical connection of the evaporator 21 is advantageously carried out in such a way that the two electrical contacts forming the heating resistor of the evaporator 21 are connected to the transverse web 15 by means of one or more, for example three, electrical conductors 28 or connecting wires, for example by soldering, as in Figure 6 The electrical conductors 28 can be made of gold or aluminum, for example. However, steel wires or other suitable materials are not excluded. Some parts of the transverse webs 15 remain permanently in the evaporator assembly 50 and form electrical contacts 48 for connecting the evaporator assembly 50 with the inhaler base part in the final product, see Fig.12 and 13 . As from Fig.13 As can be seen, the electrical conductors 28 are advantageously arranged for effective cooling in the air duct 26, which extends through the evaporator unit 51 between the flue opening 47 and the opposite end-side opening 30 in the flange 40. Through the end-side opening 30, the electrical contacts 48 for connecting the evaporator cartridge 52 with the inhaler base are advantageously guided outwards through the flange 40.

[0052] On an optional basis Figure 7In the step of , an identification element 29 (ID chip) is placed in each evaporator assembly 50 or each evaporator carrier 20. The identification element 29 serves to unambiguously identify the corresponding evaporator 21 and can be, for example, an RFID element, an NFC element or a digital storage module (such as an EEPROM) in which a digital identification is stored. If the identification element 29 is electrically connected, this can advantageously take place by means of wiring in the wiring device mentioned above. The placement and installation of the identification element 29 can be carried out according to Figure 3 The process may occur during the installation step of the system, during a previous installation step, or during a subsequent installation step.

[0053] At an appropriate point in the installation process, you can optionally perform Figure 8 The evaporator assembly 50 is partially separated. In the present embodiment in which the evaporator assembly is held on both sides, this means that one of the longitudinal webs 12 is removed from the mounting frame 10 and the evaporator assembly 50 is only held on one side on the remaining longitudinal web 11. The separation can be achieved, for example, by punching. The mounting frame 10 or the transverse web 15 can have corresponding preset breaking points. In the case of partial separation, any burrs can also be removed from the injection molding of the evaporator carrier 20 and the accuracy can be increased. Figure 7 The mounting frame 10 is shown partially separated.

[0054] Advantageously based on Fig. 9 In another assembly step, the wick element 27 is placed on each evaporator assembly 50 or each evaporator carrier 20 and connected thereto. The wick element 27 is used in the final product to transfer the liquid to be evaporated from the liquid reservoir 31 (see Fig.13 ) is transported to the evaporator 21 by means of capillary forces. For this purpose, the wick element 27 is advantageously flat. In order to place the wick element 27, a possibly detachable mounting frame 10 (see FIG. 1 ) equipped with the evaporator 21 is provided. Figure 3 ) is for example extracted from a roll and continuously guided by a placement device (not shown). The electrical connection is alternatively also carried out in batches (ie in batch mode).

[0055] The wick element 27 is advantageously placed in the wick receiving portion 33 or the hollow space (cavity) of the evaporator carrier 20 in a liquid-conducting connection with the evaporator 21. A nonwoven, for example a glass fiber nonwoven, can be optionally arranged between the wick element 27 and the evaporator 21. The wick element 27 can be made of ceramic, for example. The fixing of the wick element 27 in the wick receiving portion 33 can be carried out, for example, via clamping (Klemmung), for example, when the wick element 27 has a larger size relative to the wick receiving portion 33. Alternatively, the fixing of the wick element 27 in the wick receiving portion 33 can be carried out by means of an adhesive, for example from the outside, or between the wick element 27 and the wick receiving portion 33, or between the wick element 27 and the evaporator, wherein, in the last case, the adhesive is advantageously pulled together during hardening so that the wick element 27 is permanently pressed onto the evaporator. If an adhesive is used to fix the wick element 27 in the wick receiving portion 33, the adhesive will be hardened in the next step. This can take place by drying in air or advantageously by heat input, in particular in an oven. Alternatively, a UV-curable adhesive can also be used, which is then cured by means of UV light. Curing can be carried out in batches (batch) or in a continuously operating method, for example in a continuously operating oven.

[0056] After leaving the placement device, Fig. 9 The mounting frame 10 with the placed core elements 27 shown in FIG. 1 is either rolled up onto a reel or further processed online. In the latter case, a buffer is advantageously provided for intermediate storage in the Fig. 9 The mounting frame 10 is shown in FIG.

[0057] In accordance with Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, a lower shell 32 is provided at the lower side of the evaporator carrier 20. The lower shell 32 can be a separate part, which is, for example, clamped on the evaporator carrier 20 or can be connected to the evaporator carrier 20 in another way. Alternatively, the lower shell 32 can also be manufactured integrally with the evaporator carrier 20 in the same injection molding process. In an embodiment with a lower shell 32, the wick element 27 can be arranged at least partially in the lower shell 32.

[0058] For installation, the wick element 27 is first placed in the receiving portion 33 of the evaporator carrier 20. Next, in order to seal the liquid inlet opening 36 of the lower shell 32, an elastomeric sealing element 34, for example in the form of a sealing ring, is arranged around the liquid inlet opening 36 in the hollow space 35. Next, the assembly consisting of the evaporator carrier 20 with the evaporator 21 is placed on the lower shell 32, for example by sinking or bending the mounting frame 10. Alternatively, the lower shell 32 can be attached to the evaporator carrier 20, for example, using an installation robot. In the installed state, the sealing element 34 advantageously exerts a permanent elastic force on the wick element 27 relative to the evaporator 21.

[0059] The wick element 27 can be round in cross section or have any other suitable cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of the wick element 27 can be adapted to the shape of the evaporator 21. For sealing, the lower shell 32 can be glued to the evaporator carrier 20. The identification element 29 can be encapsulated in a tamper-proof manner.

[0060] In accordance with Fig.10 In the next assembly step, the evaporator housing 37 is connected to the evaporator assembly 50, respectively, so as to obtain the evaporator unit 51. The evaporator housing 37 is advantageously elongated, having two end faces 38, 39 and a jacket portion 43, wherein a flange 40 for an electrical interface 49 can be advantageously provided at the end face 38 and / or a flue receiving portion 41 for connection to a flue 42 to be explained later can be advantageously provided at the end face 29. The evaporator housing 37 can advantageously be made of a suitable plastic, such as polypropylene.

[0061] For installation, the evaporator housing 37 can advantageously be pushed onto the evaporator assembly 50, such as Fig.10 In the inserted state, the transverse webs 15, 16 advantageously protrude outwardly beyond the evaporator housing 37, so that after subsequent separation, the transverse webs 15, 16 form an electrical interface for the inhaler base part, see Fig.12 .

[0062] In order to seal the evaporator housing 37 relative to the evaporator carrier 20, for example, an adhesive can be applied to the evaporator housing 37 and / or the evaporator carrier 20 in a planar manner before being pushed in. Alternatively, the adhesive can be locally placed or pressed into a groove provided in the evaporator carrier 20, for example, through the flue opening 47 in the flue receiving portion 41 or through an additional opening in the liquid tank 44. In addition, the sealing groove can be locally welded around the wick element 27, preferably from the outside by heat treatment, for example, by means of ultrasonic welding or thermosonic welding. Welding can be effectively carried out, for example, by penetrating the liquid tank 44 with the help of laser radiation. The sealing of the evaporator housing 37 relative to the evaporator carrier 20 ensures that the evaporation liquid can only flow in the space around the wick element 27. On the evaporator side, the tightness is established by the pores of the evaporator 21.

[0063] On the basis of an alternative Fig.14In the embodiment of the present invention, the wick element 27 is first inserted into the wick receiving portion 33 of the evaporator carrier 20. The evaporator housing 37 is advantageously manufactured from two parts, in particular injection molded, wherein, in addition to the base body of the evaporator housing 37 itself, for example made of PP, a sealing element 19, for example made of liquid silicone or another suitable elastomeric material, is inserted in the region where the wick receiving portion 33 is arranged in the installed state. When the evaporator assembly 50 is pushed into the evaporator housing 37, the elastomeric sealing element 19 is compressed and permanently exerts a sealing force on the wick element 27.

[0064] As an alternative to a two-part design of the evaporator housing 37 , a separate sealing ring can be provided as the sealing element 19 , which is pressed, for example, through the evaporator housing 37 .

[0065] The evaporator assembly 50 can be inserted into the evaporator housing 37 individually, serially or in batches. In the case of serial production, preferably a plurality of evaporator housings 37 are connected by webs and manufactured, for example by injection molding, at a spacing corresponding to the connection point.

[0066] In order to complete the evaporator cartridge 52, the flue 42 is connected to the corresponding flue receiving part 41 of the evaporator unit 51, for example, it is pushed into the flue receiving part, and then the liquid tank 44 is pushed onto the flue 42 and the evaporator unit 51 and connected to the flange 40 on the end face in a liquid-tight manner, for example by welding or bonding. The liquid tank 44 is advantageously cylindrical and preferably comprises a jacket element 45 and an end face part 46, which is used to close the end face side of the jacket element 45 opposite to the evaporator unit 51 or the evaporator-side interface and / or to hold the end of the flue 42 opposite to the evaporator unit 51, see Fig.13 Finally, the reservoir 31 formed inside the liquid tank 44 can be filled with evaporating liquid, for example through a filling opening in the cartridge housing. In addition, if a planar electrical interface 49 is desired, the electrical contacts 48, which may be located in the center plane of the evaporator assembly 50 or evaporator unit 51, can be flanged.

[0067] Finally, there is a step of separating the evaporator unit 51 by disconnecting it from the mounting frame 10 or the one or more longitudinal webs 11, whereby the following is obtained according to the time of separation during the installation process: Fig.12 and 13 A single evaporator assembly 50, a single evaporator unit 51 or a single evaporator cartridge 52 in the embodiment.

[0068] according to Fig.15The embodiment of the invention makes it clear that the mounting frame 10 can have more than two, here for example three parallel longitudinal webs 11, 12, 53, wherein the longitudinal web 12 is arranged centrally and the longitudinal webs 11, 53 are arranged laterally. In this way, two rails are formed, each with a connection point 14 arranged in series, which is a twice-wide mounting frame 10. In addition, according to Fig.15 The mounting frame 10 and the Figure 6 The mounting frame 10 (injected evaporator carrier 20, connected and wired evaporator 21) is in the same manufacturing state, so that it is possible to abandon Fig.15 Further explanation of .

[0069] The evaporator 21 is advantageously implemented as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), for example with a wire channel or microchannel, as described in DE 102016120803A1, the disclosure of which in this respect is received in the present application. Advantageously, a planar, microchannel-equipped, possibly doped silicon heater is used here. Bionic or capillary heating structures, such as bionic nets, can also be used for the evaporator 21. An evaporator 21 with a heating structure as described in DE 102017111119 A1 is also possible, the disclosure of which in this respect is received in the present application. In general, the present invention is not limited to a specific evaporator 21 type.

[0070] List of reference numerals:

[0071] 10 Mounting bracket

[0072] 11 Longitudinal joint board

[0073] 12 Longitudinal connecting plate

[0074] 13 Guide opening

[0075] 14 Connection position

[0076] 15, 16 horizontal connecting plate

[0077] 17 spacing retainer

[0078] 18 connection surface

[0079] 19 Sealing element

[0080] 20 Evaporator carrier

[0081] 21 Evaporator

[0082] 22 Adhesive

[0083] 23 Application device

[0084] 24 pressure head

[0085] 25 Pressure Die

[0086] 26 air channels

[0087] 27 core components

[0088] 28 electrical wires

[0089] 29 digital identification element

[0090] 30 end side opening

[0091] 31 Reservoir

[0092] 32 Lower shell

[0093] 33 core receiving part

[0094] 34 Sealing element

[0095] 35 Hollow Space

[0096] 36 Liquid inlet openings

[0097] 37 Evaporator shell

[0098] 38, 39 end face side

[0099] 40 Flange

[0100] 41 Flue receiving part

[0101] 42 Flue

[0102] 43 coat part

[0103] 44 Liquid tank

[0104] 45 jacket elements

[0105] 46 end face part

[0106] 47 Flue opening

[0107] 48 electrical contacts

[0108] 49 electrical interface

[0109] 50 Evaporator assembly

[0110] 51 Evaporator unit

[0111] 52 evaporator cartridge

[0112] 53 longitudinal connecting plate.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a vaporizer assembly (50) for an inhaler, characterized in that A plurality of connection locations (14) are provided and at least one assembly step is performed at each connection location (14) in order to produce an evaporator assembly (50) at each connection location (14), wherein the connection locations (14) are connected to one another via a mounting frame (10), wherein an evaporator carrier (20) is connected to one or each connection location (14) by overmolding the mounting frame (10) with plastic, wherein an evaporator (21) is connected to one or each connection location (14) by means of an adhesive (22), wherein the mounting frame (10) has at least one longitudinal web (11, 12) extending in a feed direction, wherein the mounting frame (10) has at least one transverse web (15, 16) at each connection location (14) which extends transversely from the at least one longitudinal web (11, 12), and wherein the at least one transverse web (15, 16) is overmolded at the respective connection location (14) for producing the evaporator carrier (20).

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the following installation steps: At least one electrically conductive connection surface (18) is provided at each connection point (14).

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising the following installation steps: - electrically connecting and / or wiring the evaporator (21) to one or each electrically conductive connection surface.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, comprising the following installation steps: - at least partially separating the at least partially installed evaporator assembly (50).

5. The method according to claim 4, comprising the following installation steps: - At least partially separating the at least partially mounted evaporator assembly (50) by disconnecting it from the mounting frame (10).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, comprising one or more of the following group of installation steps: - placing and / or coupling a wick element (27) in or on one or each evaporator assembly (50); - inserting at least one sealing element (19, 34) for sealing off the liquid into one or each evaporator component (50); - placing and / or coupling an identification element (29) in or on one or each evaporator assembly (50); - enclosing the or each evaporator assembly (50) with an evaporator housing (37); - connecting a flue (42) to the flue receiving portion (41) of one or each evaporator assembly (50); - Mounting and / or filling a liquid tank (44) on one or each evaporator assembly.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The mounting frame (10) is provided in a strip-shaped manner and is fed in order to carry out the mounting steps.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The mounting frame (10) is provided in a substantially endless strip-shaped manner and is fed in a work cycle in order to carry out the mounting steps.

9. Mounting frame (10) for use in at least one mounting device for carrying out the method for producing an evaporator component (50) for an inhaler according to any of the preceding claims.

10. The mounting bracket (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The mounting frame (10) is metallic, strip-shaped and / or can be rolled up / unrolled.

11. The mounting bracket according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The mounting frame (10) has at least one, advantageously a plurality of, longitudinal webs (11, 12) extending in the feed direction, wherein the coupling locations (14) are advantageously arranged in one or more rows parallel to the longitudinal webs (11, 12).

12. The mounting bracket according to claim 11, characterized in that: Guide elements or guide openings (13) are arranged at regular intervals on or in at least one longitudinal web (11, 12).

13. The mounting bracket according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The mounting frame (10) has at each connection point (14) at least one transverse web (15, 16), which extends transversely from at least one longitudinal web (11, 12).

14. The mounting bracket according to claim 13, characterized in that: At least a portion of the at least one transverse web (15, 16) remains permanently on or in the evaporator component (50) and advantageously forms at least one electrical contact (48) for electrically contacting the evaporator (21).

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