Heater Assembly Airflow Guide for Higher Aerosol Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices that use liquid aerosol generating materials face a decrease in aerosol production when insufficient air flow reaches the heater, affecting the user's smoking experience.
Innovation Solution
A heater assembly with a guide structure that directs external air towards the heater, ensuring sufficient air supply and enhancing aerosol generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a heater is used to heat aerosol generating material without a guide structure, then the device structure is simple, but the air flow to the heater is insufficient causing decreased aerosol generation
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is divided into multiple segments (first air inlet and second air inlet) positioned at different locations around the heater. This segmentation allows air to be supplied from multiple directions simultaneously, increasing the total air flow to the heater without requiring a complex overall structure. Each air inlet segment works independently to contribute to the total aerosol generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Air supply is transitioned from a single-direction flow to multi-directional flow by positioning air inlets at different spatial locations around the heater. The first air inlet supplies air from one direction while the second air inlet supplies air from another direction, creating a three-dimensional air flow pattern that enhances heat transfer and aerosol generation efficiency.
2Productivity
If air flow passage is not optimized, then the device structure is simple, but air does not reach the heater effectively causing decreased aerosol production
Solution Approach 1:
Air is supplied to the heater through dedicated air inlets positioned optimally before the heating process occurs. The first and second air inlets are pre-configured to direct air flow toward the heater surface, ensuring that air is already in position to receive heat and generate aerosols efficiently when the heater operates.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlet structures act as intermediaries between the external environment and the heater. These inlets are strategically positioned and configured to mediate the air flow, guiding external air effectively toward the heater surface and ensuring optimal air-heater contact for efficient aerosol generation.
3Productivity
If multiple air inlets are added to improve air supply, then aerosol generation increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air inlet functions are merged into a unified heater assembly structure. The first air inlet and second air inlet are integrated into the same housing, with their support structures and flow paths coordinated within a single assembly. This merging approach allows multiple air supply functions to work together while maintaining structural coherence and avoiding excessive complexity.
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 increases aerosol production, improving the user's smoking experience and preventing device malfunctions due to aerosol leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a wick (230) arranged inside the chamber (220), configured to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing in from the outside of the heater assembly (200) through the liquid inlet (201)
Implementation Method 2
a heater (240) arranged on the side surface of the wick (230) and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick (230)
Implementation Method 3
a guide structure (260) arranged inside the chamber (220) to face the heater (240) and configured to induce the external air flowing into the chamber (220) through the air inlet (202) to move in a direction toward the heater (240)
Implementation Method 4
aerosols may be generated by mixing vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material in the liquid state with air flowing into the aerosol generating device
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A heater assembly includes a chamber including an air inlet, a liquid inlet, and an air outlet; a wick configured to absorb an aerosol generating material from outside of the heater assembly through the liquid inlet and including a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick; and a guide structure configured to induce external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.