Heater Stop Structure for Condensate Control in Vapor Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-not-burn e-cigarette devices suffer from condensate pollution due to condensate seepage from the inhalable material, leading to potential contamination of the device interior.
Innovation Solution
A vapor generation device with a heater design featuring an inner diameter-reduced region at the far end to support the inhalable material, accompanied by a hollow tube providing airflow and support, and a groove or convex edge to prevent rotation and condensate seepage, along with independent heating sections for efficient aerosol production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a tubular heater is used to heat tobacco products, then heating function is achieved, but condensate seeps out and causes pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful condensate that would otherwise seep out and pollute into a useful resource by directing it back to the heating zone where it is re-vaporized. The hollow tube structure captures condensate and redirects it to be heated again, transforming the pollution problem into an efficiency improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow tube acts as an intermediary structure that captures condensate and redirects it back to the heating zone. This intermediate component prevents direct seepage of condensate out of the device and instead channels it through a controlled path back to the heater for re-vaporization.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heater structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but condensate control and support function are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow tube structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the tobacco product, captures condensate that would otherwise leak, redirects condensate back to the heating zone, and maintains the structural integrity of the heating assembly. This multi-functionality achieves reliable condensate control without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
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
Reduces condensate pollution by re-vaporizing scraps and condensate, maintaining device cleanliness and enhancing aerosol production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater, located between the first opening and the second opening, constructed to extend in an axial direction of the cavity and surround at least a part of the cavity, and configured to heat the inhalable material received in the cavity
Implementation Method 2
scraps or condensate flowing out of an end portion of the inhalable material can be at least partially received by the inner diameter-reduced part of the heater to be re-vaporized
Implementation Method 3
the heater is an induction heater capable of being penetrated by a changing magnetic field to generate heat, to heat the inhalable material
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor generation device includes a housing. The housing includes a near end and a far end opposite to each other in a length direction, the near end being provided with a first opening, and the far end being provided with a second opening. The housing is internally provided with: a cavity, located between the first opening and the second opening; and a heater, extending in an axial direction of the cavity and surrounding at least a part of the cavity, and configured to heat an inhalable material received in the cavity, at least a part of the heater close to the far end including an inner diameter-reduced region, to provide a stop for the inhalable material received in the cavity during use. In the foregoing vapor generation device, an inner diameter-reduced part of the heater abuts against the inhalable material to provide support.