Heatable Mesh for Aerosol Vaporization in Microchannels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol generating devices face challenges in optimizing the flow of liquid for vaporization and vaporization efficiency, particularly in terms of heat transfer and surface area utilization.
Innovation Solution
The aerosol generating device features open microchannels covered by a heatable mesh that enhances capillary wicking and heat transfer, allowing vaporization perpendicular to the liquid flow direction, eliminating the need for direct electrical heating and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a directly heatable mesh is provided in contact with a wick, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mesh as an intermediary component between the wick and the heating element. The mesh serves as a heat transfer medium that distributes heat uniformly across the vaporization surface while maintaining structural integrity. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall device design by eliminating the need for complex direct heating mechanisms while improving heat transfer efficiency through increased surface area contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh employs a porous structure that allows liquid to pass through while providing extensive surface area for heat transfer. The porous nature of the mesh enables capillary action to distribute liquid evenly across the heating surface, improving vaporization efficiency without requiring complex pumping or flow control mechanisms. This porous material approach simplifies the device while enhancing thermal performance.
2Area of stationary object
If the mesh is provided in parallel with the flow direction of the liquid, then vaporization surface area is increased, but heat transfer coefficient may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the mesh in parallel with the liquid flow direction, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the heat transfer surface. This orientation creates multiple pathways for liquid to contact the heating surface simultaneously, increasing the effective vaporization area. The mesh structure transforms the heat transfer from a single-plane contact to a multi-dimensional interaction, maintaining high heat transfer coefficients while maximizing surface area utilization.
3Productivity
If conventional vaporization designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but vaporization efficiency and heat transfer coefficient are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat transfer medium, a liquid distribution system through capillary action, a structural support element, and a vaporization surface. This multi-functionality increases vaporization efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate elements. The universal application of the mesh across different vaporization zones optimizes heat utilization.
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 increases the heat transfer coefficient and vaporization efficiency, preventing drying out and providing a consistent user experience with improved flow rates and vapor production.
Implementation Method 1
The mesh, firstly, aids in the capillary wicking which happens in the micro channels
Implementation Method 2
the heatable mesh transfers heat to the liquid and promotes vaporization thereof by increasing the surface area for vaporization
Implementation Method 3
since vaporization at least partly happens through the mesh
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device has a base with open microchannels, which are at least partially covered by a heatable mesh, which is inductively or indirectly heatable by means for inductively or indirectly heating the mesh, such as such as the base and/or a contacting heater and/or a heat transfer membrane and/or a susceptor. Further, a method of generating an aerosol from a base with open microchannels, which are at least partially covered by a mesh, is presented, in which the mesh is inductively or indirectly heated.