Micro-vaporizer Sequential Liquid Delivery via Permeable Wick

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional micro-vaporizers are limited to using a single vaporizable fluid, which restricts the ability to vary flavor profiles or potency levels, making it difficult to transition between different active materials or concentrations.

Innovation Solution

The design of a micro-vaporizer that allows for the sequential delivery of multiple vaporizable liquids with different characteristics, using a permeable barrier and fluid flow mechanisms to transition between them, enabling the use of multiple active materials or varying concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single vaporizable fluid is used in conventional micro-vaporizers, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to vary flavor profiles or potency levels is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to vary flavor profiles or potency levelsVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid reservoir is divided into multiple separate chambers, each containing a different vaporizable liquid with distinct flavor profiles or potency levels. This segmentation allows the device to offer varied vaporization experiences while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each chamber operates independently through the shared wick and heating element system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vaporizable liquids are stored in separate reservoirs, then different active materials or concentrations can be used, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse of multiple active materials or concentrationsVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple liquid chambers are integrated into a single unified reservoir structure that shares common components including the wick, heating element, and vaporization chamber. This merging approach enables the device to accommodate multiple active materials or concentrations while minimizing the overall device volume, as the shared components eliminate the need for separate delivery systems for each liquid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If a permeable barrier is used to separate liquids, then automatic transition between liquids is enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic switching between liquidsVSAvoidpermeable barrier fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A permeable barrier made from porous material is positioned between liquid chambers to enable automatic transition. The porous structure allows vaporizable liquid to pass through via capillary action when the supply from one chamber is depleted, automatically directing the wick toward the next chamber. This approach achieves automated switching while using readily manufacturable porous materials that do not require extremely precise fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Enables users to experience a gradual transition between different flavor profiles or potency levels by automatically switching between vaporizable liquids, enhancing user experience and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

A wick in communication with the liquid reservoir delivers a vaporizable liquid to a heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The heating element has a heating surface adjacent or in contact with at least a portion of the internal wick surface for heating and vaporizing vaporizable liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heating and vaporizing vaporizable liquid at or near the internal wick surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

provides a path for air from an external ambient environment to flow into the vaporization chamber for mixing with vaporized liquid to form a vaporization mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 5

An air flow passage from one or more air intake openings in the case wall to the vaporization chamber provides a path for air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11241034B2Micro-vaporizer with multiple liquids

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 BLACKSHIP TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

A micro-vaporizer has an annular main body, a vaporization chamber, and a liquid delivery arrangement. The liquid delivery arrangement is configured for sequential delivery of a plurality of vaporizable liquids to the vaporization chamber. The liquid delivery arrangement has an annular wick having an internal wick surface defining at least a portion of the vaporization chamber. The liquid delivery arrangement also comprises a liquid reservoir surrounding the wick. The liquid reservoir is configured for storage of at least one vaporizable liquid therein and is in fluid communication with the wick. A heating element is positioned within the vaporization chamber for heating and vaporizing vaporizable liquid at or near the internal wick surface.