Porous Heating Element for Vaporization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vaporization devices face inefficiencies in vaporizing fluids due to the scattering of fluid droplets on smooth heating elements, leading to the discharge of liquid droplets and potential buildup, which degrades device operation.
Innovation Solution
A heating element with a porous layer having a grit blasted or laser etched surface texture, providing an increased effective surface area for fluid absorption and vaporization, defined by a porosity range of 50% to 95%, and a combined thickness of the substrate, conductive, and protective layers ranging from 4.0 mm to 1.0 cm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a smooth surface heating element is used, then the heating element can be made small and heat up quickly, but the fluid droplets are scattered and liquid discharge occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element employs a porous layer with controlled porosity (50%-95%) and surface texture (grit blasted or laser etched) that increases the effective surface area. This porous structure captures fluid droplets through capillary action while maintaining rapid heating capability, preventing both droplet scattering and liquid discharge.
2Speed
If a small heating element is used, then heating speed is improved, but the surface area is insufficient to capture all fluid droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the surface geometry from a flat two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional porous structure with increased surface area. The porous layer creates multiple internal surfaces and capillary channels that dramatically increase the effective surface area available for droplet capture and vaporization, allowing a compact heating element to handle larger fluid loads.
3Ease of manufacture
If a smooth surface is used, then manufacturing is simple, but liquid accumulation and buildup occur
Solution Approach 1:
The porous layer is formed through controlled deposition and sintering processes that create a consistent pore structure. The grit blasted or laser etched surface texture further enhances capillary action. This structured porous surface prevents liquid accumulation by promoting uniform fluid distribution and complete vaporization, eliminating buildup issues while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established ceramic processing techniques.
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 porous layer effectively captures and vaporizes fluid droplets, preventing liquid discharge and accumulation, thereby enhancing vaporization efficiency and maintaining device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a porous layer having a grit blasted or laser etched surface texture, providing an increased effective surface area for fluid absorption
Implementation Method 2
heating element for vaporizing fluid ejected by an ejection head
Implementation Method 3
electrical heating element for evaporating a portion of a liquid material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A heating element (24) for a vaporization device (10), a vaporization device (10) containing the heating element (24), and a method for vaporizing fluid ejected by an ejection head (22) are provided. The heating element (24) comprises a conductive layer (42), configured to be disposed on a substrate (40), wherein the heating element (24) is configured to have an effective surface area for fluid vaporization that is greater than a planar surface area defined by dimensions of the heating element (24).