Integral Heater-Thermocouple for Non-Nicotine Vapor Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-nicotine e-vaping devices lack effective temperature monitoring and control systems, leading to inconsistent vapor production and potential overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a heater-thermocouple system for precise temperature control, which includes a heater and a thermocouple material to monitor and adjust heating element temperature, ensuring consistent vapor production and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If temperature monitoring and control systems are added to e-vaping devices, then temperature regulation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heater and thermocouple into an integral heater-thermocouple assembly where the thermocouple is positioned in direct thermal contact with the heater element. This integration allows temperature monitoring and control functions to be merged into a single component structure, improving temperature regulation accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional consolidation rather than adding separate independent systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If heater-thermocouple system is integrated, then vapor production consistency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating assembly into distinct functional segments: the heater element, the thermocouple with its first and second legs, and the reservoir section. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes and then assembled together, improving vapor production consistency through precise component functionality while managing manufacturing complexity through modular construction rather than requiring complex integrated manufacturing
3Measurement precision
If thermocouple material is used for temperature monitoring, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermocouple utilizes the Seebeck effect to generate an electromotive force signal directly from the temperature difference between its junctions, enabling self-powered temperature measurement without requiring external power sources or complex measurement circuits. This self-service capability improves temperature measurement precision while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for additional power management and signal conditioning systems
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
The heater-thermocouple system provides accurate temperature regulation, enhancing vapor quality and preventing overheating, thus improving user experience and device safety.
Implementation Method 1
the thermocouple is in thermal contact with the heater and is configured to generate an electromotive force signal in response to a temperature of the heater
Implementation Method 2
The heater is in thermal contact with the wick and is configured to vaporize the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn via the wick into the vapor passage
Implementation Method 3
The wick is configured to move a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action and is positioned so as to extend into a reservoir and a vapor passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-nicotine e-vaping device (500) may include a device body configured to receive a non-nicotine cartridge. The non-nicotine cartridge includes a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, a wick (240), and an integral heater-thermocouple (250). The wick (240) is configured to transport the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation by capillary action. The integral heater-thermocouple (250) includes a first segment (252) made of a first alloy and a second segment (256) made of a second alloy. The device body includes a power supply (362), at least one sensor (356), and a controller (359). The power supply (362) is configured to deliver electrical energy to the integral heater-thermocouple (250) to heat the non-nicotine pre¬ vapor formulation to generate a non-nicotine vapor. The at least one sensor (356) is configured to measure a voltage difference between the first segment (252) and the second segment (256) of the integral heater-thermocouple (250) during such heating. The controller (359) is configured to adjust the electrical energy to the integral heater- thermocouple (250) based on the measured voltage difference.