Non-planar Aerosol Sheet with Capillary Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol delivery devices face inefficiencies in vapor distribution and aerosol density, leading to suboptimal aerosol formation and increased condensation on internal components, which affects user experience and device performance.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-forming member with a non-planar sheet of material featuring a capillary structure on its inner surface for efficient vapor emission and a vapor-restrictive outer surface, integrated into an aerosol delivery device to enhance aerosol density and reduce unwanted condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a planar sheet of material is used for vapor emission, then the device structure is simple, but the aerosol density is low and vapor distribution is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet of material is configured with a non-planar inner major surface that is curved or convex, directing vapor towards the center of the aerosol chamber. This curvature improves vapor distribution efficiency and aerosol density without requiring complex multi-component structures, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
2Productivity
If the outer surface of the sheet is porous for vapor emission, then vapor distribution is improved, but condensation on external components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet of material has different surface properties: the inner major surface is porous with a capillary structure for efficient vapor emission, while the outer major surface is non-porous or has a cover to prevent vapor escape. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing vapor distribution improvement on the inner surface while preventing harmful condensation on the outer surface.
3Area of stationary object
If vapor is emitted from both inner and outer surfaces of the sheet, then the vapor emission area is increased, but aerosol density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary structure is configured to be exposed only on the inner major surface of the sheet, not on the outer surface. This selective exposure ensures that vapor is emitted only from the inner surface where it can be efficiently directed into the aerosol chamber, maintaining high aerosol density while still providing sufficient emission area through the curved surface geometry.
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 solution improves aerosol density and efficiency by directing vapor towards the center of the aerosol chamber, reducing condensation on device components, and simplifying the device design, resulting in a more effective and user-friendly aerosol delivery experience.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet of material comprising a non-planar inner major surface having a capillary structure configured to emit vapor during use
Implementation Method 2
a sheet of material configured to wick and to heat a solution
Implementation Method 3
forms a vapor of a solution in which the substances are dissolved
Implementation Method 4
the outer major surface is configured to emit less vapor than the inner major surface during use
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol-forming member comprising a sheet of material configured to wick and to heat a solution is disclosed. The sheet of material comprises a non-planar inner major surface having a capillary structure configured to emit vapor during use, and an outer major surface that is configured to emit less vapor than the inner major surface during use.