Aerosol generator equipped with a vacuum chamber

Abstract

This specification discloses aerosol generators (200, 300, 500). The aerosol generator comprises a vacuum chamber (202, 302, 502) defined between an inner wall (204, 304, 504) and an outer wall (206, 306, 506), and a heater (208, 308, 508) disposed within the vacuum chamber. The heater is provided on the inner wall. The aerosol generator also comprises one or more electrical connections (210a, b, 310a, b, 510a, b), one or more of which penetrate the outer wall of the vacuum chamber and are configured to be electrically connected to a power source located outside the vacuum chamber. The heater is solderless connected to one or more of the electrical connections, thereby electrically connecting the heater to one or more of the electrical connections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device provided with a vacuum chamber. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device provided with a vacuum chamber in which a heater is disposed within the vacuum chamber.

Background Art

[0002] Manufacturing electronic cigarettes that heat, rather than burn, solid or semi-solid aerosol-forming substrates containing tobacco is an area of emerging interest. One problem in these devices is that the heater that supplies heat to the heating chamber can also unnecessarily heat the rest of the device. In a compact device, this can be disadvantageous because the temperature of the outer surface of the device held by the user can become unacceptably high. To mitigate these effects, some aerosol generating devices are provided with a vacuum chamber in which the heater can be spaced from the outer surface of such a device. This can provide a thermal separation between the heating chamber and the outer surface held by the user. The heater can be disposed within the vacuum chamber together with an electrical connection that connects the heater to a power source provided outside the vacuum chamber.

[0003] It is important to maintain a vacuum within the vacuum chamber so that heat transfer through the gas within the chamber can be minimized. The term vacuum as used herein may not necessarily refer to a completely evacuated space. The vacuum within the vacuum chamber can be a low vacuum, medium vacuum, or high vacuum. For example, there may be trace amounts of gas within the vacuum chamber. Generally, the vacuum state should be maintained at a sufficiently low pressure such that heat transfer from the heater to the outer surface of the device is reduced. A small amount of heat transfer may be tolerated.

[0004] There is a need for the manufacture of aerosol generating devices that include a vacuum chamber in which a vacuum state is maintained over a long period of time. The object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that addresses these requirements. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generator is provided, comprising: a vacuum chamber defined between an inner wall and an outer wall; a heater disposed within the vacuum chamber, the heater being provided on the inner wall; and one or more electrical connections, the one or more of which are configured to be electrically connected to a power source provided outside the vacuum chamber, the one or more of which extend through the outer wall of the vacuum chamber, and the heater being connected to the one or more electrical connections without soldering, thereby electrically connecting the heater to the one or more electrical connections. The heater is preferably completely located within the vacuum chamber.

[0006] During use, components of aerosol generators, such as heating elements and electrical connections, are known to potentially release gases when heated; that is, they may emit gases. Organic compounds, in particular, can decompose during heating, causing gas release. Heaters placed in a vacuum chamber can be calcined before assembly of the device, thereby removing organic compounds from inside and / or on the heater.

[0007] When forming electrical connections, wires are conventionally soldered to a heater inside a vacuum chamber. Solder often contains small amounts of flux, which often contains organic compounds such as naturally occurring resins. Because solder and flux have low melting and evaporation points, they are not suitable for firing in the same way as the heater. Therefore, organic compounds in the flux can cause gas release into the vacuum chamber during operation of the device, potentially compromising the vacuum state of the vacuum chamber.

[0008] In devices where the vacuum state is low, a small amount of gas may be present in the vacuum chamber. However, such a vacuum state can still be effective in preventing significant heat transfer. If gas is released into such a vacuum state, the amount of gas in the vacuum chamber increases, and consequently, the gas pressure also increases. In this scenario, the released gas may begin to transfer heat into the vacuum chamber, which increases heat transfer to the external surface of the device. This compromises the vacuum state of the vacuum chamber.

[0009] By removing solder from electrical connections located within a vacuum chamber, the effects of gas release from solder and flux can be reduced. Therefore, this can help maintain the vacuum state of the vacuum chamber over extended periods.

[0010] In one configuration, one or more electrical connections are biased toward the heater, thereby electrically connecting the heater to one or more electrical connections. Preferably, one or more electrical connections are provided with springs for biasing one or more electrical connections toward the heater. In this way, the heater can be connected to one or more electrical connections without soldering. The heater can be in direct contact with one or more electrical connections, thereby allowing current to flow between the heater and one or more electrical connections. The electrical connections may be elongated pins provided through the outer wall of the vacuum chamber. The electrical connections may be biased toward the lead pads of the heater, which may have a large surface area to simplify the assembly of the electrical connection to the heater.

[0011] In another optional configuration, one or more electrical connections are printed on or to the heater. Preferably, one or more electrical connections comprise a wire and a connecting pin, the connection between the wire and the connecting pin is located within a vacuum chamber, the connecting pin extends through the outer wall, and the wire is printed on or to the heater. In this way, one or more electrical connections can be fixed on or to the heater by printing on or to the heater, so that one or more electrical connections can be connected to the heater without soldering. The electrical connections can be printed on or to the heater, or on or to the lead pads of the heater, using conductive and gas-free screen printing ink. One or more electrical connections may comprise a flat, elongated wire that can be printed on or to the heater. This increases the contact surface area between the wire and the heater. Thus, the wire can be connected to the heater by means of solderless connection.

[0012] By designating the connection between the wire and the connecting pin as being within the vacuum chamber and the connecting pin extending through the outer wall, the assembly of the device can be simplified and its size minimized. All electrical connections between the heater, wire, and connecting pin can be within the vacuum chamber, and all of these connections can be made without soldering.

[0013] Preferably, the wire is fixed to a connecting pin. In this way, the wire can be deformed around the connecting pin. In a configuration where the wire is a flat, elongated wire, the wire can be easily and reliably folded around the connecting pin. In a configuration where the wire is an elongated cylindrical wire, the wire can be wrapped around the connecting pin.

[0014] Preferably, the wire is connected to a ferrule, and the ferrule is crimped onto a connecting pin. In this way, the possibility of damaging the wire or connecting pin during the crimping process is reduced. The ferrule may be a short cylindrical tube into which the wire is partially inserted. The ferrule can then be crimped onto the connecting pin and / or the wire. In embodiments where the wire is a flattened, elongated wire, the ends of the wire may be bent into a circular cross-sectional shape before being inserted into the ferrule.

[0015] In another configuration, the wire deforms toward the connecting pin, thereby bringing the wire into contact with the connecting pin. By deforming the wire toward the connecting pin and bringing them into contact, the wire can be guided toward the connecting pin. Preferably, a portion of the wire is positioned at an angle to its longitudinal axis, causing the wire to deform toward the connecting pin. Preferably, the angled portion of the wire is in contact with the connecting pin. In this way, the wire can be easily connected to the connecting pin. This arrangement simplifies the formation of electrical connections and, consequently, the assembly of the device. The angled portion of the wire may be positioned at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the wire.

[0016] Preferably, the heater includes a printed heater. In this way, the heater can be easily and reliably mounted on the inner wall of the vacuum chamber. The size of the aerosol generator can be reduced and its assembly can be simplified. Furthermore, since one or more electrical connections can be printed onto the heater using the same material as the heater itself, the process of printing one or more electrical connections to the heater can be simplified. The printed heater may have printed lead pads to which one or more electrical connections can be connected.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for forming an aerosol generator, comprising: firing a heater; forming a vacuum chamber defined between an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the fired heater is placed inside the vacuum chamber and the heater is provided on the inner wall; and forming one or more electrical connections, wherein one or more electrical connections are configured to be electrically connected to a power source provided outside the vacuum chamber, the one or more electrical connections extend through the outer wall of the vacuum chamber, and the heater is solderless connected to one or more electrical connections, thereby electrically connecting the heater to one or more electrical connections.

[0018] The heater is calcined to remove any organic compounds that may be present inside and / or on the heater. This is to ensure that no organic compounds release gases into the vacuum chamber when heated by the heat from the heater. The heater may be calcined at a temperature of, for example, 850 degrees Celsius. However, other temperatures may also be suitable. Preferably, the method further includes calcining one or more electrical connections. One or more electrical connections are also calcined to remove any organic compounds that may be present inside and / or on the electrical connections.

[0019] The apparatus features described above may be implemented as method steps in a method for forming an aerosol generator, and vice versa. It should be understood that the method steps described may be performed in various different orders.

[0020] From here on, embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples with reference to the drawings. The drawings are as follows. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the inside of a vacuum chamber of an aerosol generator known in the art. [Figure 2A]Schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] Perspective view of the interior of the vacuum chamber of the aerosol generator in an embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] Schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator in another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] Perspective view of the interior of the vacuum chamber of the aerosol generator in an embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] Schematic flow diagram of a method for forming an electrical connection for use with an aerosol generator in an embodiment of the present invention according to FIGS. 3A and 3B. [Figure 5A] Schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator in another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] Perspective view of the interior of the vacuum chamber of the aerosol generator in an embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 5A.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of the vacuum chamber of an aerosol generator 100 known in the art. The vacuum chamber is defined between the outside of the inner wall 104 and the inside of the outer wall. The outer wall includes a bottom wall 106b and may also include side walls (not shown) and an upper wall (not shown). A heater 108 is provided outside the inner wall 104, and the heater 108 is disposed within the vacuum chamber. The heater 108 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown) provided outside the vacuum chamber using first and second electrical connectors 110a, b. The first and second electrical connectors 110a, b each include wires 112a, b and connection pins 114a, b. The wires 112a, b are soldered to lead pads (not shown) of the heater 108 and the connection pins 114a, b using solder 120. The connection pins 114a, b are provided through the bottom wall 106b of the outer wall to enable electrical connection of the heater 108 to a power source provided outside the vacuum chamber.

[0023] The heater 108, which is a printed heating element, is fired before the assembly of the vacuum chamber to remove any possible organic compounds that may be present because organic compounds may release gas during heating. The firing temperature can be, for example, about 850 degrees Celsius.

[0024] In this known example, the wires 112a, b are soldered to the lead pads (not shown) of the heater 108 and the connection pins 114a, b using a soft soldering process. The soft soldering process may be carried out at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius, for example, using a flux. The solder may include tin-lead solder or another type of solder. The flux may include a resin derived from a naturally occurring resin.

[0025] Firing the solder 120 before the assembly of the vacuum chamber is considered inappropriate because the firing temperature will be much higher than the melting point of the solder 120, thereby damaging the electrical connection to the heater 108. Therefore, the organic compounds present in the flux within the solder 120 have the potential to release gas into the vacuum chamber during the operation of the heater 108 in this known example.

[0026] Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator 200 in one embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generator 200 comprises a vacuum chamber 202 defined between an inner wall 204 and an outer wall 206. The outer wall 206 comprises a side wall 206a, a bottom wall 206b, and may also comprise an upper wall (not shown). A heater 208 is provided on the inner wall 204 and is located inside the vacuum chamber 202. The heater 208 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown) located outside the vacuum chamber 202 using first and second electrical connection parts 210a and b. The first and second electrical connection parts 210a and b are biased toward the lead pads 209 of the heater 208 to form an electrical connection with the heater 208. The first and second electrical connections 210a and b are biased upward into the vacuum chamber 202 in the direction from the bottom wall 206b toward the opening 207, and inward toward the heater 208 in the direction from the side wall 106a toward the inner wall 204. The first and second electrical connections 210a and b are provided through the bottom wall 206b to enable the heater 208 to be electrically connected to a power source provided outside the vacuum chamber 202.

[0027] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the inside of the vacuum chamber of the aerosol generator 200 in the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2B shows an opening 207 provided radially inward within the cup-shaped inner wall 204. The opening 207 is configured to receive an aerosol generating substrate (not shown) into the inner wall 204 for heating by the heater 208. The vacuum chamber can be sealed against the inner wall 204 in the section of the inner wall 204 provided between the heater 208 and the opening 207.

[0028] The vacuum within the vacuum chamber 202 surrounds the outer surface of the inner wall 204 and the outer surface of the heater 208, which is located outside the inner wall 204 and inside the vacuum chamber 202. The outer surface of the inner wall 204 and the inner surface of the outer wall 206 are spaced apart from each other within the vacuum chamber 202. Therefore, the vacuum chamber isolates the outer wall 206 and, consequently, the user of the device from the heat generated by the heater 208. The heat from the heater 208 is transferred to the inner wall. The outer wall 206 has an elongated cylindrical shape.

[0029] In this example, heater 208 is a printed heating element comprising printed lead pads 209 to which first and second electrical connections 210a, b can be connected. Heater 208 is fired before assembly of the vacuum chamber 202 to remove any organic compounds that may be present. Heater 208 is printed on the outside of the inner wall 204, which is to be inside the vacuum chamber 202, with conductive screen printing ink to form the heater. In other examples, heater 208 may be a wire heating element or another type of heater. Heater 208 is printed in a meandering pattern to provide uniform heating to the inner wall 204.

[0030] In this example, the first and second electrical connections 210a and b are biased toward the heater 208 to form an electrical connection with the heater 208. More specifically, the first and second electrical connections 210a and b are biased toward the lead pads 209 of the heater 208 to form an electrical connection with the heater 208. The ends of the first and second electrical connections 210a and b are in physical contact with the heater 208, and therefore current can flow between them. Thus, it is not necessary to use solder to connect the first and second electrical connections 210a and b to the heater 208. The risk of gas being released into the vacuum chamber 202 from the solder is eliminated.

[0031] The first and second electrical connections 210a and b are elongated pins, each equipped with a spring that biases the ends of the first and second electrical connections 210a and b, located within the vacuum chamber 202, toward the heater 208, thereby bringing them into contact. The spring is located at the base of the pin within the bottom wall 206b. The springs of the first and second electrical connections 210a and b bias the connections upward into the vacuum chamber 202 in the direction from the bottom wall 106b toward the opening 207, and inward toward the heater 208 in the direction from the side wall 106a toward the inner wall 204. In other examples, the first and second electrical connections 210a and b may include wires that deform to bias toward the heater 208 in order to contact the heater.

[0032] In this example, the first and second electrical connections 210a and b are provided through the bottom wall 206b of the outer wall 206. In other examples, the first and second electrical connections 210a and b may be provided through the side wall 206a or the top wall (not shown), or through a combination of walls.

[0033] Figure 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator 300 in another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the embodiment in Figure 2A, the aerosol generator 300 comprises a vacuum chamber 302 defined between an inner wall and an outer wall 306. The outer wall 306 also comprises side walls 306a, a bottom wall 306b, and may also comprise a top wall (not shown). A heater 308 is similarly provided on the inner wall 304 and is located inside the vacuum chamber 302. The heater 308 is also electrically connected to a power source (not shown) located outside the vacuum chamber 302 using first and second electrical connections 310a, b.

[0034] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the inside of the vacuum chamber of the aerosol generator 300 in the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3A. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 2B, Figure 3B shows an opening 307 provided radially inward within the cup-shaped inner wall 304.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first and second electrical connection parts 310a and b each comprise wires 312a and b and connecting pins 314a and b. The first wire 312a is connected to the heater 308 and the first connecting pin 314a. The second wire is connected to the heater 308 and the second connecting pin 314b. The wires 312a and b are printed on or on the heater 308 and are connected to the connecting pins 314a and b by crimping the wires 312a and b to the connecting pins 314a and b. The connecting pins 314a and b are provided penetrating the bottom wall 306b of the outer wall 306b.

[0036] In this example, the wires 312a and 312b in the first and second electrical connections 310a and 310b are connected to two separate lead pads (not shown) of the heater 308 by printing on the first ends of each wire 312a and 312b and on the heater 308. A layer of printing material 313 is provided on the first ends of each wire 312a and 312b and on the heater 308, thereby securing the wires 312a and 312b to the heater. Because the wires 312a and 312b are elongated and flattened copper wires, the contact area between the first ends of the wires 312a and 312b and the lead pads is increased. The first ends of the wires 312a and 312b are printed on or onto the lead pads of the heater 308 using the same screen printing ink that makes up the heater 308. Thus, the wires 312a and 312b are connected to and secured to the heater 308 without the use of solder.

[0037] In this example, wires 312a and 312b are connected to connecting pins 314a and 312b by crimping the second ends of each wire 312a and 312b to their respective connecting pins 314a and 312b. More specifically, the second ends of each wire are folded and partially inserted into ferrules 316a and 316b, which are short tubes. The ferrules 316a and 316b are then crimped to the connecting pins 314a and 312b using a crimping tool or another suitable instrument. During the crimping process, the ferrules 316a and 316b deform outwards from the connecting pins 314a and 312b. The wires 312a and 312b are connected to the connecting pins 314a and 312b by means of forming a secure mechanical connection that does not require soldering.

[0038] The wires 312a and 312b, the screen printing ink used to print the wires 312a and 312b onto the heater, and the connecting pins 314a and 314b are fired before the assembly of the vacuum chamber to remove any organic compounds that may be present.

[0039] In other examples, the wires do not have to be long and flat, and may include different shapes. In these other examples, such wires may be wrapped around a connecting pin to form an electrical connection. Ferrules may or may not be used when forming the electrical connection. The wires may include materials other than copper. Alternatively, the wires may be printed on or onto the lead pads of the heater 308 using any material other than the same screen printing ink that constitutes the heater 308.

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for forming an electrical connection 410 for use with an aerosol generator 300 in one embodiment of the present invention. This method may be performed before the formation of the vacuum chamber. The method comprises steps 1, 2, and 3. Step 1 of the method comprises folding the end of a flat, elongated wire 412 such that the end of the wire has a circular cross-sectional shape. The folded end of the wire 412 is then made insertable into the ferrule 416. Step 2 comprises inserting the folded end of the wire 412 into the ferrule 416. Step 3 comprises inserting a connecting pin 414 into the bottom wall 406b, inserting the connecting pin 414 into the ferrule 416, and then crimping the ferrule 416 onto the connecting pin 414.

[0041] In step 1, the flat, elongated wire 412 is folded to form a substantially cylindrical, curled end at the end of the wire 412. The ferrule 416 is a short cylindrical tube, and therefore the folded end of the wire 412 can be received by the ferrule 416. In embodiments where the wire 412 is not a flat, elongated wire, the wire may not need to be folded.

[0042] In step 2, the folded end of wire 412 is inserted into one end of ferrule 416 such that the ferrule partially receives the folded end of wire 412 into a portion of its interior. The crimped portion 412 is not fully received by ferrule 416 because the connecting pin 414 must also be inserted into ferrule 416 at the opposite end of ferrule 416.

[0043] In step 3, the connecting pin 414 is inserted into the opening in the bottom wall 406b such that the end of the connecting pin 414 penetrates the bottom wall 406b and protrudes from the bottom wall 406b. The end of the connecting pin 414 that penetrates the bottom wall 406b and protrudes from the bottom wall 406b is then inserted into the opposite end of the ferrule 416 into which the crimped end of the wire 412 is inserted. The ferrule 416 is then crimped onto the folded ends of the connecting pin 414 and / or the wire 412 to form a secure electrical connection that does not require soldering.

[0044] Figure 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator 500 in another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 3A, the aerosol generator 500 comprises a vacuum chamber 502 defined between an inner wall and an outer wall 506. The outer wall 506 also comprises side walls 506a, a bottom wall 506b, and may also comprise a top wall (not shown). A heater 508 is similarly provided on the inner wall 504 and is located inside the vacuum chamber 502. The heater 508 is also electrically connected to a power source (not shown) located outside the vacuum chamber 502 using first and second electrical connections 510a, b.

[0045] Figure 5B is a perspective view of the inside of the vacuum chamber of the aerosol generator 500 in the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5A. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, Figure 5B shows an opening 507 provided radially inward within the cup-shaped inner wall 504.

[0046] The first and second electrical connection sections 510a and b comprise wires 512a and b and connecting pins 514a and b. The wires 512a and b are printed on or on the heater 508 and are connected to the connecting pins 514a and b by deforming them toward the connecting pins 514a and b and bringing each wire 512a and b into contact with the connecting pins 514a and b. The connecting pins 514a and b extend through the bottom wall 506b of the outer wall 506b.

[0047] The wires 512a and 512b in the first and second electrical connection sections 510a and 510b are connected to two separate lead pads (not shown) of the heater 508 by printing the first ends of each wire 512a and 512b and the heater 508. In this example, the wires 512a and 512b are connected to the connection pins 514a and 514b by deforming the second ends of each wire 512a and 512b to form angled portions. Each angled portion of the wires 512a and 512b is angled toward the connection pins 514a and 512b such that the surface of the angled portion of the wires 512a and 512b is in contact with the connection pins 514a and 512b. The elongated, flattened angled portions of the wires 512a and 512b form a simple, solderless mechanical connection.

[0048] The angled portions of wires 512a and 512b are angled approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each wire 512a and 512b. More specifically, the angled portions of wires 512a and 512b are angled between 87 and 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of each wire 512a and 512b. In other examples, the angled portions of wires 512a and 512b may be angled at any other angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of each wire 512a and 512b. The wires 512a and 512b, the screen printing ink used to print the wires 512a and 512b onto the heater, and the connecting pins 514a and 514b are calcined before the assembly of the vacuum chamber to remove any organic compounds that may be present.

Claims

1. A vacuum chamber defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, A heater disposed within the vacuum chamber, wherein the heater is provided on the inner wall, One or more electrical connections, the one or more electrical connections configured to be electrically connected to a power supply provided outside the vacuum chamber, the one or more electrical connections extending through the outer wall of the vacuum chamber, and the heater being connected to the one or more electrical connections without soldering, thereby electrically connecting the heater to the one or more electrical connections; An aerosol generator equipped with the following features.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical connection points are biased toward the heater, thereby electrically connecting the heater to the one or more electrical connection points.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the one or more electrical connections are provided with a spring for biasing the one or more electrical connections toward the heater.

4. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical connection points are located on or printed on the heater.

5. The aerosol generator according to claim 4, wherein the one or more electrical connection portions comprise a wire and a connecting pin, the connection portion between the wire and the connecting pin is located inside the vacuum chamber, the connecting pin extends through the outer wall, and the wire is on or printed on the heater.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wire is fixed to the connecting pin.

7. The aerosol generator according to claim 6, wherein the wire is connected to a ferrule, and the ferrule is crimped to the connecting pin.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wire deforms toward the connecting pin, thereby bringing the wire and the connecting pin into contact.

9. An aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the wire is provided at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the wire, thereby causing the wire to deform toward the connecting pin.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the angled portion of the wire contacts the connecting pin.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heater includes a printing heater.

12. A method for forming an aerosol generator, Firing the heater, The invention involves forming a vacuum chamber defined between an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the fired heater is placed inside the vacuum chamber, and the heater is provided on the inner wall. The invention provides for the formation of one or more electrical connections, wherein the one or more electrical connections are configured to be electrically connected to a power source located outside the vacuum chamber, the one or more electrical connections extend through the outer wall of the vacuum chamber, and the heater is connected to the one or more electrical connections without soldering, thereby electrically connecting the heater to the one or more electrical connections. Methods that include...

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