Ceramic Vaporization Unit Without Wick for Longer E-Cigarette Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic cigarettes suffer from reduced lifespan due to fibrous material deterioration and clogging, flavor persistence, and high manufacturing costs and recyclability issues.
Innovation Solution
A vaporization unit comprising a heating element and a porous or non-porous ceramic, devoid of fibrous material, ensuring efficient liquid transfer and extended lifespan, with a removable cartridge design that enhances recyclability and reduces production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If fibrous material (cotton) is used for fluid transfer, then liquid transfer from reservoir to heating element is achieved, but lifespan is reduced due to burning and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fibrous material (cotton) from the vaporization system entirely, extracting the problematic component that causes burning and clogging. The fluid transfer function is achieved through capillary channels formed directly in the ceramic substrate, eliminating the need for separate fibrous fluid transfer elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a ceramic substrate with integrated capillary channels that provide porous-like fluid transfer properties without using traditional fibrous materials. The ceramic structure contains channels that allow liquid to move from the reservoir to the heating element through capillary action, providing reliable fluid transfer without the deterioration issues of cotton.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fibrous material is used for fluid transfer, then liquid delivery is achieved, but flavor change is delayed due to liquid retention in fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fibrous material that retains liquid and delays flavor changes. By eliminating cotton and using direct capillary channels in ceramic, the system allows complete liquid replacement without retention in fibrous structures, enabling immediate flavor transitions when liquid is changed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fibrous absorption system with a capillary channel system in ceramic. This substitution eliminates the liquid retention characteristic of fibers, allowing complete and rapid liquid replacement for immediate flavor changes without the time delay associated with fibrous material saturation.
3Reliability
If complex arrangement of vaporization unit and liquid reservoir is used, then functional performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and recyclability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid transfer function and structural support into a single ceramic component with integrated capillary channels. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate fibrous fluid transfer elements and complex assemblies, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable vaporization function. The ceramic substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic component with capillary channels serves multiple functions: structural support, fluid transfer, and heating element mounting. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying both manufacturing and recycling processes while maintaining full vaporization functionality.
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 extends the lifespan of electronic cigarettes, improves user experience by immediate flavor change, and reduces environmental impact through recyclable components, while lowering manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Vaporization occurs when the heating element heats the liquid within the fluid transfer element until it turns into vapor
Implementation Method 2
a heating element intended to be electrically powered
Implementation Method 3
the heating element is supplied with liquid by capillary action resulting from the presence of the fibrous fluid transfer element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates primarily to a vaporization unit for an electronic cigarette, characterized in that it comprises a heating element (12a) intended to be electrically powered and a porous (14a) or non-porous ceramic in surface contact with the heating element (12a), the vaporization unit (11a) being devoid of any fibrous material. The invention also relates to an electronic cigarette comprising a fixed body (2) and a cartridge (3) containing the liquid to be vaporized and removably mounted on said fixed body (2), and essentially characterized in that the fixed body (2) comprises a cartridge receiving recess (7), a power supply battery (4), and a vaporization unit (11a) as previously indicated, located in the cartridge receiving recess (7) and comprising a heating element (12) electrically powered by the battery (4) and a fluid transfer element (14).in that the cartridge (3) comprises an air outlet (21) opening onto a suction channel (20) and a liquid reservoir (16) surrounding the suction channel (20), and in that the removable cartridge (3) and the fixed body (2) are configured so that the liquid reservoir (15) is arranged in fluidic connection with the fluid transfer element (14) of the vaporization unit (11) of the fixed body (2) when the cartridge (3) is mounted on the fixed body (3), and so that the suction channel (20) of the cartridge (3) is arranged in fluidic connection with the vaporization unit (11) of the fixed body (2) when the cartridge (3) is mounted on the fixed body (2).