Aerosol Heater Fixing Structure for Liquid Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-combustion aerosol generation devices face issues with liquid aerosol penetration into internal air passages, leading to device failure and malfunction due to liquefaction and leakage.
Innovation Solution
The aerosol generation device incorporates a heater and a heater fixing portion with a sealing member to direct liquefied liquid materials towards the heater, preventing penetration and utilizing a sealing member to seal gaps between components, thereby preventing liquid ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-combustion aerosol generation device heats an aerosol generation material to generate aerosols, then aerosols can be inhaled with air without combustion, but water or aerosol is partially liquefied and fixed in the form of droplets in the air passage, causing liquid leakage that may lead to device failure or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic coating layer is applied to the inner surface of the air passage to act as an intermediary barrier. This coating layer has hydrophobic properties that prevent liquid droplets from adhering to and penetrating the air passage walls, allowing aerosols to pass through while blocking liquid penetration that would cause device malfunction
Solution Approach 2:
The surface energy parameters of the air passage are changed by applying a hydrophobic coating. This parameter change transforms the surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, fundamentally altering how liquid droplets interact with the air passage surface and preventing liquid penetration
2Productivity
If the aerosol generation device is designed to deliver the entire amount of aerosol to the user, then aerosol delivery efficiency is improved, but liquid material liquefied in the air passage penetrates into the device, causing failure or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating serves as a mediator between the aerosol flow and the air passage structure. It enables high aerosol delivery efficiency by maintaining open air passages while simultaneously preventing liquid penetration that would compromise device reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A thin hydrophobic film is applied to the air passage surface. This thin film structure is sufficient to block liquid penetration while maintaining aerosol flow, achieving both high delivery efficiency and device reliability
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 solution effectively prevents liquid materials from entering the device, ensuring device durability and functionality while generating aerosols with desired flavor and nicotine content.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (1030) installed in the case (1001) such that an end portion is positioned inside the protrusion pipe (1020) and configured to generate heat when an electric signal is applied
Implementation Method 2
a round surface that leads a liquid material liquefied by passing through an internal air passage, toward a heater, thereby preventing the liquid material from penetrating into the device
Implementation Method 3
a sealing member that seals a passage installed in the passage through which a liquid material liquefied by passing through an internal air passage penetrates into the device
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generation device includes a case into which a cigarette is to be inserted; a protrusion pipe of a hollow shape protruding from one end portion of the case and having an opening; a heater installed in the case such that an end portion thereof is positioned inside the protrusion pipe, and configured to generate heat when an electric signal is applied thereto; and a heater fixing portion installed inside the protrusion pipe to support the heater and comprising a round surface that extends from an inner side surface of the protrusion pipe.