Vaporizer Heater Gap Structure for Liquid Wicking and Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic vapor provision devices face inefficiencies in heating and vaporization due to the lack of a robust and efficient heating element design, leading to suboptimal liquid wicking and vaporization processes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a heating element and support structure with a gap between them, allowing for a finer heating element construction, increased surface area for vaporization, and improved liquid wicking through porous materials and channels or depressions, forming a more robust heating rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a heating element is directly contacted with the support structure, then structural stability is improved, but liquid wicking efficiency deteriorates due to blocked capillary channels
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented to create a gap between the heating element and the outer surface, allowing capillary channels to remain open for liquid wicking while maintaining structural stability through the heated support material
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates porous material with capillary channels that enable liquid wicking to the heating element, and when heated, these porous material expand to close the channels and prevent liquid leakage
2Productivity
If the heating element surface area is increased for better vaporization, then vaporization efficiency is improved, but the risk of liquid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Porous material is used in the support structure to provide capillary channels for controlled liquid delivery to the heating element, enabling increased surface area contact without uncontrolled leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The porous support material is heated to cause thermal expansion that closes the capillary channels, preventing liquid leakage while allowing the heating element to maintain large surface area for efficient vaporization
3Productivity
If the gap between heating element and support is increased to improve liquid flow, then liquid wicking is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to expand thermally when heated, which stabilizes the gap between the heating element and outer surface, maintaining optimal liquid flow paths while preventing excessive gap that would compromise structural integrity
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 enhances the efficiency of liquid vaporization and wicking, providing a more robust heating element that can vaporize liquid effectively and deliver an aerosol with fine liquid droplets, improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element and a heating element support, wherein a gap is provided between the heating element and the heating element support... the heating element for vaporizing liquid
Implementation Method 2
a wicking element configured to wick liquid from the liquid store to a heating element for vaporizing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic vapor provision device comprising a power cell and a vaporizer, wherein the vaporizer comprises a heater and a heater support, wherein one or more gaps are provided between the heater and the heater support.