E-vaping Cartridge Airflow Diverter for Energy Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic vaping devices require more energy to vaporize pre-vapor formulations due to air passing over the heater-wick assembly, leading to increased energy consumption and higher vapor temperatures at the outlet, which reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The e-vaping device incorporates an airflow diverter, positioned transversely relative to the heater, which diverts air away from the central path, reducing energy loss and optimizing airflow to enhance vaporization efficiency by minimizing air flow over the heater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air is allowed to pass over the heater-wick assembly for vaporization, then vapor production is enabled, but energy consumption increases due to heating air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor productionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow diverter extracts and redirects the harmful airflow path away from the heater-wick assembly. By introducing a separate airflow path through the diverter structure, the system separates the vaporization function from the cooling effect of ambient air, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining vapor production capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow diverter acts as an intermediary component between the air inlet and the heater-wick assembly. It mediates the airflow by redirecting it around the heater, preventing direct contact between ambient air and the heating element, thus reducing unnecessary energy consumption while still allowing controlled air flow for vaporization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If air passes over the heater-wick assembly, then vaporization occurs, but vapor temperature at outlet increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaporization processVSAvoidvapor temperature at outlet

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow diverter extracts the excess air flow that would otherwise pass over the heater-wick assembly and redirect it through alternative paths. This removes the cooling effect of ambient air from the vaporization zone, preventing excessive temperature rise at the outlet while maintaining effective vaporization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The diverter serves as an intermediary that controls and regulates airflow to the heater-wick assembly. It mediates between the need for air flow for vaporization and the need to prevent excessive heating, thereby controlling vapor temperature at the outlet within acceptable ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If airflow is increased to enhance vapor production, then vapor output increases, but energy loss from heating air increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor outputVSAvoidenergy loss from heating air

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow path is segmented into separate channels: one that directs air around the heater-wick assembly and another that allows controlled air flow for vaporization. The airflow diverter creates distinct flow paths, separating the function of cooling/vaporization from the function of heating, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining vapor output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow diverter acts as an intermediary that manages and distributes airflow efficiently. It mediates between high vapor output requirements and energy conservation by directing air flow through optimal paths that minimize heating of ambient air while still providing sufficient air for vaporization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces energy consumption, maintains vapor quality, and ensures consistent vapor production by minimizing the cooling effect on the heater, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the vaping process.

Implementation Method 1

The heater element includes a resistive heater coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heater configured to vaporize at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation in the wick to form a vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

Air passing over the heater-wick assembly will be heated to the temperature of the wick by convection and conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

Air passing over the heater-wick assembly will be heated to the temperature of the wick by convection and conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240108074A1E-vaping cartridge and device

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Example embodiments relate to a cartridge including a housing, a pre-vapor formulation reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation in the housing, a vaporizer, and an airflow diverter. The vaporizer may be configured to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation. The vaporizer may include a heater and a wick, the wick may be in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation reservoir, and the heater may be configured to vaporize at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation in the wick to form a vapor. The heater may be positioned in a transverse direction in the housing, and the airflow diverter may be located on an opposite side of the heater relative to a mouth-end portion.