Planar Plate Heater Assembly for Consistent Vaping Vaporization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic vaping devices face inefficiencies in vaporization due to suboptimal heater designs and materials, leading to inconsistent vapor production and potential material degradation.

Innovation Solution

A three-piece electronic vaping device comprising a power supply section, cartridge, and heater assembly section with plate heaters made of platinum alloy, arranged at specific angles and connected in series or parallel, supported by a heater support, and using a wick for vapor formulation delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional heater designs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but vaporization efficiency and consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor production efficiencyVSAvoidheater assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is divided into multiple separate plate heaters (first plate heater and second plate heater) that can be independently positioned and angled. This segmentation allows each heater to be optimized for specific vaporization tasks while maintaining overall system manageability through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the heater assembly have different properties - the first plate heater is positioned at a first angle while the second plate heater is positioned at a second angle, creating localized optimization zones. The heater support structure also provides localized support at specific positions to maintain the angled configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If plate heaters are arranged at specific angles, then vaporization consistency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor production consistencyVSAvoidheater angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heater support structure is designed to maintain the angled positions of the plate heaters through mechanical support. The support structure includes features that naturally hold the heaters at their respective angles, allowing for some flexibility in manufacturing while ensuring consistent performance during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If platinum alloy is used for plate heaters, then material durability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater material durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies platinum alloy composition with controlled amounts of other metals (up to about 10% by weight rhodium, up to about 30% by weight iridium). This composite material approach maintains the high durability and heat resistance needed for vaporization heaters while allowing for cost optimization through controlled alloy composition rather than pure platinum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Measurement precision

If multiple plate heaters are used, then vaporization control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaporization control precisionVSAvoidheater assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple plate heaters are combined within a single heater assembly section that attaches to one cartridge. The first and second plate heaters work together as an integrated vaporization system, allowing for precise control through combined heating zones while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate devices. The electrical connection system (series or parallel) further integrates the control of multiple heaters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances vapor production efficiency, extends battery life, and allows for precise control of vaporization, ensuring consistent vapor quality and reduced material wear.

Implementation Method 1

at least one plate heater in physical contact with a portion of the wick

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a wick in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20260020608A1Three-piece electronic vaping device with planar heater

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

An electronic vaping device includes a power supply section, a heater assembly section, and a cartridge. The power supply section includes a power supply. The cartridge section includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, and a wick in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation. The heater assembly section is connected to the power supply section and the cartridge. The heater assembly section includes at least one plate heater in physical contact with a portion of the wick. The at least one plate heater is selectively electrically connectable to the power supply.