Elastic Wicking Element for Consistent Heating Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerosol-generating systems lack versatility in allowing users to choose between cartridges with liquid or solid aerosol-forming substrates, and existing heating elements do not ensure consistent and efficient contact with wicking elements for quick aerosol formation.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-generating system comprising a device with a heating element and a cartridge that includes a wicking element and a biasing means, where the wicking element is moveable between disengaged and engaged positions, ensuring consistent contact with the heating element by applying a force in a direction non-parallel to the engagement direction, allowing for efficient aerosol formation from both liquid and solid substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cartridge with liquid aerosol-forming substrate is used, then precise control over substrate components and consistency between substrates is improved, but the ability to generate aerosol with taste closely resembling conventional cigarette is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed to be compatible with both liquid and solid aerosol-forming substrates, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions. The cartridge can be used with different types of substrates (liquid or solid) depending on user preference, combining the advantages of both approaches in one universal system
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a device is designed to work with solid aerosol-generating articles, then the ability to generate aerosol with cigarette-like taste is improved, but compatibility with cartridges comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge design incorporates features that enable it to work with both solid and liquid substrates. The wicking element and heating element configuration are optimized to handle different substrate types, allowing the same cartridge to deliver cigarette-like taste with solid substrates while maintaining compatibility with liquid substrates
3Productivity
If the wicking element is positioned to contact the heating element, then quick aerosol formation is improved, but the complexity of ensuring consistent contact is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking element is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to dynamically adjust and maintain contact with the heating element. The elastic deformation of the wicking element ensures consistent contact pressure without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable aerosol formation
Solution Approach 2:
The wicking element's elastic nature allows it to self-adjust and maintain optimal contact with the heating element automatically. The element deforms under its own resilience to ensure consistent contact, eliminating the need for external adjustment mechanisms or complex contact assurance systems
4Reliability
If the wicking element applies force to the heating element in a direction non-parallel to engagement direction, then consistent contact is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking element is configured to apply force to the heating element in a direction non-parallel to the cartridge engagement direction. This dimensional change in force application (e.g., radial or tangential force component) ensures consistent contact between the wicking and heating elements during engagement, improving reliability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
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 configuration enables quick and consistent aerosol formation by maintaining tight contact between the wicking element and the heating element, regardless of the substrate type, enhancing user flexibility and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element
Implementation Method 2
heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol
Implementation Method 3
wicking element may be in contact with the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
Aerosol-generating system (1000) comprising an aerosol-generating device (1100) comprising a heating element (1102), and a cartridge (1200) comprising a housing (1202), a wicking element (1204), and a biasing means (1206). The cartridge is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device. When the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element is in a disengaged wicking element position and is not in contact with the heating element. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, different to the disengaged wicking element position relative to the housing, and is in contact with the heating element, and the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction non-parallel with the engagement direction.