Atomizer Assembly With Multi-Surface Heating for Wick Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaporizer devices face inefficiencies in vaporizing vaporizable materials due to vacuum formation in the reservoir, reducing the effectiveness of wicking elements and wasting material during puffing, and require improved heating elements for efficient vaporization.
Innovation Solution
A heating element with a preformed heating portion and legs configured to secure a wicking element, allowing efficient vaporization by contacting multiple surfaces and featuring a capillary feature to prevent material flow beyond a certain point, along with a heat shield for insulation and selective plating to enhance heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional heating element is used in a vaporizer device, then the device can generate inhalable aerosol, but vacuum formation occurs in the reservoir reducing wicking effectiveness and wasting material
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple heating zones or segments that can independently contact different portions of the wicking element. This segmentation allows for more uniform heat distribution across the vaporizable material, preventing localized overheating and improving overall vaporization efficiency while reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is positioned within or nested around the wicking element structure, allowing direct thermal contact between the heating portion and the wicking material. This nested configuration maximizes heat transfer efficiency to the vaporizable material while minimizing energy loss and preventing vacuum formation in the reservoir.
2Productivity
If a heating element contacts only one surface of the wicking element, then the structure is simple, but vaporization efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element transitions from contacting only the top surface of the wicking element to contacting multiple surfaces including side surfaces and bottom surfaces. This multi-dimensional contact configuration significantly improves heat distribution and vaporization efficiency without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed to simultaneously perform multiple functions: heating the vaporizable material, preventing vacuum formation, and potentially controlling airflow. By making the heating element multi-functional, the patent improves vaporization efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the wicking element allows free flow of vaporizable material, then material delivery is easy, but material is wasted during puffing
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned to pre-heat the wicking element and vaporizable material before the user puff occurs. This preliminary heating action ensures that material is ready for immediate vaporization when needed, improving delivery efficiency while preventing waste by avoiding the need for excessive material flow to compensate for poor heating.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances vaporization efficiency by minimizing material waste and improving heating performance, ensuring consistent delivery of inhalable aerosol doses.
Implementation Method 1
The heating portion may be configured to contact at least two separate surfaces of the wicking element
Implementation Method 2
The at least two legs may include a capillary feature configured to prevent flow of the vaporizable material beyond a certain point
Implementation Method 3
Power is configured to be supplied to the heating portion from the power source to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material
Implementation Method 4
along with a heat shield for insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A atomizer assembly for a vaporizer cartridge is provided. The vaporizer cartridge may include a reservoir containing vaporizable material and a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir. The atomizer assembly includes a heating element and a wick housing. The heating element may include a heating portion, a cartridge contact, and a leg. The heating portion includes at least two tines spaced apart from one another. The cartridge contact may be in in electrical communication with a power source. The wick housing includes an outer wall defining an interior volume configured to receive a portion of the heating element and the wicking element.