E-Cigarette Airflow Diverter for Stable Aerosol Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes suffer from reduced aerosol output and diminished mouthfeel due to airflow cooling the heater during strong or prolonged draws, leading to diminished performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a mouth end insert with diverging outlets and an air flow diverter to distribute aerosol evenly and redirect airflow away from the heater, enhancing aerosol output and mouthfeel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air inlet delivers air to the heater during a puff, then aerosol is generated and delivered to the user, but heater temperature decreases due to cooling effect
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet system is segmented into multiple pathways: a first air inlet positioned away from the heater that delivers air to a first outlet, and a second air inlet that delivers air to a second outlet. This segmentation allows airflow to be divided such that aerosol can be delivered without all air directly cooling the heater, thereby maintaining heater temperature while still providing aerosol output.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate airflow pathway acts as an intermediary between the user's draw and the heater. The first air inlet and first outlet provide a bypass route that delivers air to the user without requiring all air to pass directly over the heater, thus reducing the cooling effect while maintaining aerosol delivery capability.
2Productivity
If strong or prolonged draws are taken, then more aerosol is demanded by the user, but heater performance diminishes due to excessive cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet system is segmented into a first outlet and a second outlet, where the first outlet receives air from the first air inlet that bypasses the heater region. During strong or prolonged draws, this segmented configuration allows increased airflow demand to be met through the first outlet without proportionally increasing the cooling effect on the heater, thereby maintaining consistent heater performance and reliable aerosol generation.
3Ease of operation
If airflow rate increases during strong draws, then user demand is met, but mouthfeel diminishes due to heater cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow system is segmented into two independent pathways with separate inlets and outlets. The first pathway (first air inlet to first outlet) allows users to draw with flexible strength without adversely affecting heater temperature, as this pathway does not directly cool the heater. This maintains aerosol quality and mouthfeel even during strong draws, while still providing ease of operation and user draw flexibility.
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 provides fuller mouthfeel and maintains aerosol output during longer or stronger draws by preventing airflow-induced cooling of the heater, resulting in improved smoking experience.
Implementation Method 1
a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cigarette includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and a mouth end insert having at least two diverging outlets. The electronic cigarette can also include an air flow diverter which directs incoming air away from a heating zone of the heater.