Heating Element Optical Transmission Control for Vapor Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heating elements for electronic vapor provision systems, such as e-cigarettes, often suffer from uneven resistive properties due to inhomogeneous structures, leading to irregular heating which can impact vapor production and product testing failures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of electrically conductive porous materials with controlled optical transmission profiles to ensure homogeneous resistance, where the difference between maximum and minimum optical transmission values is within a predetermined acceptable range, such as not more than 10% of the maximum value, to guarantee consistent heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conductive mesh structure is used for the heating element, then the heating element can be self-supported and structurally stable, but the irregular resistive properties lead to uneven heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the optical transmission values of the conductive porous sheet material within a specific range (difference between maximum and minimum values not exceeding 10%). This parameter control ensures homogeneous resistance distribution across the heating element, resolving the uneven heating issue while maintaining the structural stability provided by the mesh configuration.
2Measurement precision
If optical transmission measurement is used to characterize the heating element, then the resistive properties can be assessed, but additional measurement steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical resistance measurement with optical transmission measurement. By using optical properties to characterize the resistive properties of the conductive porous sheet material, the invention simplifies the measurement process while maintaining assessment accuracy, as optical transmission correlates with the homogeneous resistance distribution needed for even heating.
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 approach allows for the identification and selection of suitable heating elements with consistent resistive properties, reducing the likelihood of uneven heating and improving vapor production consistency, thereby enhancing product reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Operation of a heating element of this type relies on the phenomenon of resistive heating, where the electrical resistance of the heating element produces a temperature rise when a voltage is applied across the heating element to cause current to flow through it.
Implementation Method 2
Capillary action or wicking in the porous element carries liquid from the reservoir to the heater for vaporization.
Implementation Method 3
The temperature of the heating element is raised, such as by passing an electrical current from a battery through the heating element, and source liquid in contact with the heating element is vaporized.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obtaining a heating element for an electronic vapor provision system includes providing a sheet of electrically conductive porous material, measuring amounts of light transmitted through at least two locations on the sheet to obtain a set of optical transmission values including a maximum value and a minimum value, comparing a difference value calculated from the maximum and minimum values with a predetermined acceptable variation in optical transmission, and selecting the sheet for use as a heating element if the difference value falls within the acceptable variation.