Microstructured Heating Assembly for Residue-Resistant Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residue formation on the heating assembly of heating and vaporization devices affects the consistency and safety of aerosol suction taste due to heat absorption and the generation of harmful gases, which is not effectively addressed by low surface energy films that are not suitable for high-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A heating assembly with a low surface energy structure featuring micro-scale or nano-scale recessed grooves and protrusions on its outer surface, reducing surface energy and preventing residue formation through hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a low surface energy film is directly applied to the contact surface, then residue formation is reduced, but the film cannot withstand high operating temperatures exceeding 300°C
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface morphology parameter by introducing micro-scale or nano-scale structures on the heating assembly surface. These structures reduce surface energy and create hydrophobic/oleophobic properties without requiring organic coating materials, thereby withstanding high operating temperatures above 300°C while preventing residue formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical approach (organic low surface energy films like Teflon) with a physical approach (micro/nano-scale surface structures). This substitution eliminates the temperature limitation imposed by organic material decomposition while achieving the same residue prevention effect through surface geometry rather than chemical composition.
2Power
If the heating assembly operates at high temperatures up to 350°C, then effective vaporization is achieved, but organic low surface energy films decompose and become inapplicable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the surface energy parameters through micro/nano-structuring rather than changing chemical composition. This allows the surface to maintain low surface energy properties at high temperatures where organic films would decompose, ensuring both effective vaporization and film stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite surface structure combining micro/nano-scale geometric features with the base heating assembly material. This composite structure achieves the desired low surface energy effect without relying on organic coating materials that would decompose at high operating temperatures.
3Manufacturing precision
If residue accumulates on the heating assembly surface, then aerosol taste consistency deteriorates, but cleaning the surface is not mentioned as a solution
Solution Approach 1:
The micro/nano-scale surface structures create self-cleaning properties through hydrophobic and oleophobic effects. Residue and contaminants are prevented from adhering to the surface in the first place, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and maintaining aerosol taste consistency automatically during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of residue accumulation into a benefit by designing surface structures that actively repel contaminants. The same high-temperature operation that could cause decomposition now works in conjunction with the micro/nano-structures to prevent adhesion, turning a thermal challenge into a self-cleaning advantage.
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 reduced surface energy structure prevents moisture and viscous oil liquids from adhering, avoiding residue formation and ensuring consistent and safe aerosol suction taste by maintaining the integrity of the aerosol-forming medium.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the outer surface is relatively recessed to form a low surface energy structure of the heating assembly
Implementation Method 2
reducing the surface energy of the contact surface by other means to reduce the generation of residue
Implementation Method 3
The reduced surface energy structure prevents moisture and viscous oil liquids from adhering
Data Source
AI summary
A heating assembly includes: an outer surface for contacting an aerosol-forming medium. A part of the outer surface is relatively recessed to form a low surface energy structure of the heating assembly, the low surface energy structure having a micro-scale structure and/or a nano-scale structure. In an embodiment, the heating assembly includes a substrate; a heating layer; and an insulative and thermally conductive layer. The heating layer is stacked between the substrate and the insulative and thermally conductive layer. A surface of a side of the insulative and thermally conductive layer away from the heating layer forms the outer surface.