Planar Heater With Ceramic Barrier For Vaping Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic vaping devices face challenges in efficiently vaporizing pre-vapor formulations due to chemical reactions between metal heaters and the formulations, leading to instability and potential leakage, and they often have complex structures with intertwined heaters and wicks.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a planar heater with a patterned layer of platinum on a ceramic layer, supported by a wick made of cellulose, which is thermally isolated from the tank containing the pre-vapor formulation, and includes a control circuitry with a pressure sensor and LED indicators, allowing for controlled heating and reduced contact between metal and formulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a metal heater is used to vaporize pre-vapor formulation, then heating efficiency is improved, but chemical reactions occur between the metal heater and formulation causing instability and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A ceramic layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal heater and the pre-vapor formulation. The ceramic layer serves as a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the metal heater and formulation, thereby eliminating chemical reactions while still allowing thermal energy to pass through for efficient vaporization.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating assembly uses a composite structure combining metal (for electrical conductivity and heat generation), ceramic (for chemical inertness and thermal conduction), and platinum patterned layer (for controlled resistive heating). This composite material approach leverages the advantages of each material while mitigating their individual disadvantages.
2Productivity
If intertwined heaters and wicks are used, then vaporization function is achieved, but device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable modules: a reusable housing containing the heater assembly, and a replaceable tank containing the formulation. The wick is integrated into the tank rather than intertwined with the heater, allowing independent replacement and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining vaporization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic layer acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for intimate contact between the heater and formulation delivery system. This allows for a simpler, non-intertwined structure where the heater, ceramic layer, and wick are positioned separately but functionally connected.
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
This configuration prevents chemical reactions, reduces leakage, simplifies the device structure, and enhances vaporization efficiency while extending battery life through self-regulating heating and improved power management.
Implementation Method 1
The patterned layer of platinum is configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply through leads electrically connected to the patterned layer of platinum. The power supply is configured to supply power to the patterned layer of platinum so as to resistively heat the patterned layer of platinum such that the heater may reach a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation.
Implementation Method 2
an electronic vaping device configured to deliver a pre-vapor formulation to a vaporizer... a heater element which vaporizes a pre-vapor formulation to produce a 'vapor'
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic vaping device includes a housing, a planar heater, a heater support, a tank, and a wick. The housing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a tip end and a mouth-end. The tip end is closed and the mouth-end has an opening therein. The heater support supports the planar heater. The tank contains a pre-vapor formulation and is configured to slide into and out of the opening of the mouth-end of the housing. The wick extends from the tank and is configured to be in contact with the planar heater when the tank is inserted in the housing.