Evaporator Tank Unit With One-Piece Wick for Reliable Liquid Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic cigarette products face issues of liquid supply interruptions due to orientation and filling level variations, leading to local overheating and leakage, which are exacerbated by the use of separate sponges for liquid conduction.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece wick structure that contacts and forms the liquid reservoir, ensuring reliable liquid feed independent of orientation and filling level, utilizing a porous glass material with adjustable pore sizes and a U-shaped cross-section for efficient liquid storage and conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate sponge is placed adjacent to the inlet end of the wick structure as an intermediate reservoir, then liquid supply reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid supply reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the intermediate reservoir function directly into the wick structure by forming a recess within the wick body that can store liquid. This eliminates the need for a separate sponge component while maintaining the liquid buffering function, thereby reducing assembly complexity and part数量 while preserving liquid supply reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wick structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the liquid conduction path and the intermediate reservoir. The recess formed in the wick structure provides liquid storage capacity while the wick material itself continues to conduct liquid via capillary forces, achieving multi-functionality with a single component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate sponge is placed adjacent to the inlet end of the wick structure as an intermediate reservoir, then liquid supply reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid supply reliabilityVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate reservoir function is merged into the wick structure through a recess formed within the wick body. This integration eliminates the need for precise assembly between separate sponge and wick components, as they become a single monolithic structure that requires no inter-component tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wick structure is segmented into different functional zones: the recess portion serves as the intermediate reservoir while the rest of the wick structure serves as the conduction path. This internal segmentation allows the single component to perform multiple functions without requiring external assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If conventional wick-coil technology is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but liquid supply interruption and overheating occur due to insufficient liquid conduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidliquid supply continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The recess in the wick structure pre-stores liquid before it is needed at the vaporization point. This preliminary accumulation of liquid in the recess ensures that liquid is always available at the inlet end of the wick structure, preventing supply interruptions and overheating while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides consistent liquid supply to the vaporizer, preventing overheating and leakage, while simplifying assembly and enhancing manufacturing ease.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid is feedable by capillary forces from the liquid reservoir to an inlet side of the vaporizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary forces: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a porous glass material with adjustable pore sizes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorous material absorption: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

at least one electric vaporizer for vaporizing liquid fed to the vaporizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

wherein the liquid is feedable by capillary forces from the liquid reservoir to an inlet side of the vaporizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12446621B2Evaporator tank unit for an inhaler, preferably an electronic cigarette product, electronic cigarette product and wick structure

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 KORBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A vaporizer tank unit for an inhaler, preferably an electronic cigarette product comprises at least an electric vaporizer for vaporizing liquid fed to the vaporizer, a liquid reservoir for storing liquid, and a capillary wick structure, wherein the liquid is feedable by capillary forces from the liquid reservoir to an inlet side of the vaporizer. The wick structure is one-piece and contacts and/or forms the liquid reservoir over at least one circumferential section.