Aerosol Generator Locating Members for Uniform Consumable Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal vaporizer devices, such as electronic cigarettes, are inefficient in energy use, provide suboptimal vapor and flavor generation, and lack control over aerosol production.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating apparatus with a receiving portion and locating members that heat consumable units uniformly by airflow contact, allowing for precise positioning and efficient heating of aerosol-forming substances through airflow paths along the outer sides of consumable units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional heating methods are used in personal vaporizer devices, then the device structure is simple, but energy efficiency is poor and vapor generation is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into multiple heating zones along the consumable unit, with heating elements distributed at different positions (e.g., first heating element at inlet end, second heating element at intermediate position). This segmentation allows for more efficient and uniform heating of the aerosol-forming substance, improving energy utilization while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the consumable unit are provided with different heating characteristics - the inlet end region receives heating from the first heating element, while intermediate regions receive heating from the second heating element. This local quality differentiation optimizes vapor generation in different zones, improving overall energy efficiency and vapor production
2Productivity
If traditional heating methods are used in personal vaporizer devices, then the device structure is simple, but vapor and flavor generation is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple heating zones with separate heating elements positioned at different locations along the consumable unit. This segmentation enables simultaneous heating of multiple regions, increasing the effective surface area for vapor generation and improving overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple heating elements operate simultaneously to provide continuous heating along the length of the consumable unit, ensuring that aerosol-forming substance is continuously vaporized as air flows through. This continuous action maximizes vapor generation efficiency throughout the device operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional heating methods are used in personal vaporizer devices, then the device structure is simple, but control of aerosol generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is made dynamic by providing multiple independently controllable heating elements that can be activated at different times or with different power levels. This allows dynamic adjustment of aerosol generation characteristics based on user needs, improving adaptability while managing device complexity through progressive activation
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
Enhances energy efficiency, optimizes vapor and flavor generation, and ensures consistent aerosol production by maximizing surface contact with airflow for uniform heating.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one locating member is configured to transmit heat to the consumable unit
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy can be transferred from heated side walls of the receiving portion via the airflow to the outer sides of the consumable unit
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating apparatus, especially a personal vaporizer device such as an electronic smoking article, generates an aerosol from a source of aerosol-forming substance. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a receiving portion configured to receive a consumable unit, such as a charge or cartridge including a source of aerosol-forming substance, and at least one locating member for locating the consumable unit within the receiving portion. The at least one locating member is configured to locate or position the consumable unit within the receiving portion such that an airflow path extends along outer sides of the consumable unit and through the consumable unit entering at one end region thereof and exiting from an opposite end region thereof, with the outer sides of the consumable unit being arranged between the one end region and the opposite end region.