Cartomizer Absorbent Element for E-Liquid Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic cigarette cartomizers experience e-liquid leakage at the external surface of the heater, forming a droplet that acts as a heat sink, reducing vapor production and user satisfaction during initial puffs, as the heater's energy is lost to this droplet, leading to a negative user experience.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent element is placed near the external surface of the heater in the vapor generating device to absorb any leaked e-liquid droplets before heating begins, allowing for easy removal through the vapor chimney without disassembling the cartomizer, ensuring the heater functions correctly from the start.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an absorbent element is permanently fixed within the cartomizer to absorb e-liquid leakage, then e-liquid leakage is absorbed during the whole life of cartomizer, but the absorbent element cannot be removed without disassembling the cartomizer
Solution Approach 1:
The cartomizer is divided into separable components: the absorbent element is made as a distinct, removable component that can be separated from the main cartomizer body. This segmentation allows the absorbent element to be independently replaced without disassembling the entire cartomizer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent element is extracted as a separate, removable component from the cartomizer assembly. It can be easily taken out through the mouthpiece opening and replaced without requiring disassembly of the cartomizer body, solving the contradiction between permanent fixation for reliability and ease of replacement.
2Reliability
If an absorbent element is disposed around the vapor chimney to absorb e-liquid leakage, then e-liquid leakage is absorbed, but the element is too big and requires disassembling the cartomizer for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent element is designed as a separate, modular component positioned around the vapor chimney but easily removable through the mouthpiece. This segmentation allows the element to be independently accessed and replaced without disassembling the cartomizer body, reducing device complexity while maintaining leakage absorption functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece opening serves as an intermediary access path that allows the absorbent element to be removed and replaced without disassembling the cartomizer body. This intermediary access point simplifies the replacement process while maintaining the element's position around the vapor chimney for effective leakage absorption.
3Reliability
If the absorbent element is in contact with the external surface of the heater, then e-liquid droplet is absorbed, but the element promotes formation of vapor generating liquid droplet at the heater surface
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent element is positioned with specific local quality: it is disposed in proximity to the heater's external surface to effectively absorb e-liquid droplets, but maintains a controlled distance to avoid direct contact that would promote droplet formation. This localized positioning optimizes absorption while preventing harmful droplet generation.
Solution Approach 2:
A vapor chimney or structural component acts as an intermediary between the absorbent element and the heater surface. This intermediary maintains the optimal spacing that allows the absorbent element to capture e-liquid droplets through capillary action while preventing direct contact with the heated surface that would cause droplet formation and vaporization issues.
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
This solution prevents the formation of e-liquid droplets on the heater's external surface, maintaining optimal vapor production from the first puffs, enhancing user satisfaction by ensuring consistent performance and eliminating the initial negative perception of reduced vapor output.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent element disposed at an interface between the heater and the vapor chimney, so as to absorb vapor generating liquid leaked at the interface
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent element which is disposed in the vicinity of the external surface of the heater so as to absorb in advance leaked vapor generating liquid droplet
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
This invention relates to a cartomizer for a vapor generating device, the cartomizer comprising: a liquid store(2), a vapor chimney (3), a heater (4) disposed between the liquid store (2) and the vapor chimney (3) so that: vapor generating liquid coming from the liquid store(2), is first heated by the heater (4), so as to be changed to vapor then exiting from cartomizer (1) by the vapor chimney (3), an absorbent element (7) disposed at an interface (10) between the heater (4) and the vapor chimney (3): so as to absorb leakage at the interface (10), and so as to be removable from cartomizer (1), through the vapor chimney (3).