E-Cigarette Cartridge Partial Contact Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic cigarettes face challenges in maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing energy consumption, particularly in the delivery of vaporized liquid to the user while maintaining user comfort and reducing heat transfer to non-essential components.

Innovation Solution

A cartridge design featuring a sorption member and a heat transfer unit with partial contact zones, where the heat transfer unit is configured to transfer heat from the heating element to the sorption member, maximizing heat input for vaporization while minimizing heat transfer to other components, and an assembly method that simplifies the structure and manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the heat transfer unit is in full contact with the sorption member, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to excessive heat transfer to non-essential components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer unit is designed with localized contact zones that provide different thermal properties in different areas. The contact zones have high thermal conductivity to maximize heat transfer to the sorption member, while non-contact zones have low thermal conductivity to minimize heat transfer to other components. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing heat transfer efficiency in essential areas while reducing energy waste in non-essential areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heat transfer unit is segmented into distinct contact zones and non-contact zones. The contact zones are specifically positioned to interface with the sorption member for efficient heat transfer, while the non-contact zones are isolated to prevent unnecessary heat transfer. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high energy efficiency by directing heat only where needed, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the cartridge structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer unit is merged with the plug member as a single integrated component. This merging simplifies the cartridge structure by reducing the number of separate parts, thereby improving ease of manufacture. The integrated design ensures proper alignment between the heat transfer unit and sorption member through the inherent structural relationship, maintaining manufacturing precision despite the simplified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug member serves as an intermediary component that facilitates the connection between the heat transfer unit and the sorption member. By using the plug member as a mediator, the design achieves both structural simplicity and precise alignment. The plug member's geometry ensures accurate positioning of the heat transfer unit relative to the sorption member, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and manufacturing precision.

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 enhances energy efficiency by maximizing heat transfer to the sorption member for vapor generation, reducing energy consumption, and allowing for easier assembly and manufacturing, while maintaining user comfort by minimizing heat transfer to non-essential components.

Implementation Method 1

the heat transfer unit is configured, when the cartridge is thermically connected to the base part, to transfer heat from the heating element to the sorption member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a sorption member in the vaporization chamber for absorbing liquid transferred to the vaporization chamber via the liquid outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

to transfer heat from the heating element to the sorption member to vaporize liquid absorbed by the sorption member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4013248B1A cartridge for an electronic cigarette, an electronic cigarette, and an assembly method for an electronic cigarette

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2

AI summary

A cartridge (14) for an electronic cigarette (10) is configured to thermically connect to a base part (12) having at least one heating element (20). The cartridge (14) comprises: a liquid store (30) comprising a liquid outlet (49); a vaporization chamber (47) in communication with the liquid store (30) via the liquid outlet (49); a sorption member (36) in the vaporization chamber (47) for absorbing liquid (L) transferred to the vaporization chamber (47) via the liquid outlet (49); and a heat transfer unit (40) configured, when the cartridge (14) is thermically connected to the base part (12), to transfer heat from the heating element (20) to the sorption member (36) to vaporize liquid (L) absorbed by the sorption member (36). The sorption member (36) and the heat transfer unit (40) are only in partial contact in contact zones (58).