Inhaler Evaporator Circulation System for Uniform Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In traditional wick-coil-evaporators, glycerine-enriched compositions in the wick lead to non-uniform boiling temperatures and composition gradients, causing uncontrollable vaporization and thermal decomposition during e-liquid vaporization, which results in uneven evaporation and entrainment of liquid drops.
Innovation Solution
An evaporator unit with a circulation line and a circulation device, such as a micro pump, ensures continuous mixing and circulation of the liquid, maintaining a constant composition up to the vapor formation area, and employing forced convection to minimize local composition gradients, with optional liquid storage integration and capillary feeding mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wick-coil-evaporator is used with a feeding stream of fresh liquid, then liquid can be continuously supplied to the heating element, but composition gradients form in the wick leading to non-uniform boiling temperatures and uncontrollable vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a circulation pump to dynamically circulate the liquid through the evaporator system, transforming the static wick-fed system into a dynamic circulation system. This continuous movement prevents composition gradients from forming in the wick, maintaining uniform liquid composition at the heating element while ensuring continuous supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump operates continuously to maintain constant liquid flow through the evaporator, ensuring uninterrupted supply to the heating element while simultaneously preventing composition stratification. This continuous action maintains both productivity and composition stability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If liquid is allowed to pool in the wick area, then continuous vaporization can occur, but thermal decomposition occurs due to high local temperatures and composition gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system creates a feedback loop where liquid is continuously pumped from the reservoir, passed through the evaporator for vaporization, and returned to the reservoir. This continuous circulation prevents liquid pooling and overheating, eliminating thermal decomposition while maintaining continuous vaporization through controlled flow.
3Speed
If the evaporator is made small to improve responsiveness, then thermal load is reduced, but the circulation system becomes more challenging to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical circulation mechanisms with a simple electrically-driven micro-pump, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while enabling precise control of liquid flow in the compact evaporator system, thus maintaining responsiveness without sacrificing circulation capability.
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 achieves uniform evaporation at lower temperatures, preventing thermal decomposition and ensuring a consistent vapor composition, thereby enhancing the control and efficiency of the evaporation process.
Implementation Method 1
By arranging the evaporator in the circulation line according the invention, a constant liquid composition is realized up to the area of vapor formation, and the primary goal of a constant vapor composition is also attained. Particularly to avoid big local composition gradients, forced convection of the liquid volume enclosed in the circulation line is realized according to the invention.
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator having a heating element for vaporizing a liquid fed through the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator having a heating element for vaporizing a liquid fed through the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
For feeding vaporized liquid, favourably a capillary feed, a feed pump, a pressurization device or another suitable feeding mechanism is provided.
Data Source
AI summary
Evaporator unit for an inhaler comprising an evaporator having a heating element for vaporizing a liquid fed through said evaporator. Said evaporator unit comprises a circulation line in which said evaporator is arranged. A circulation device is arranged in said circulation line for circulating the liquid through said circulation line.