Printed Wick Vaporizer for Atomization and Temperature Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in improving atomization performance and precise temperature control, particularly in increasing the contact area between the wick and heating element, and in detecting temperature changes without separate sensors.

Innovation Solution

A vaporizer with a storage unit, a first wick having a heating pattern for heating the aerosol generating material and a sensing pattern for temperature measurement, integrated into an aerosol generating device that includes a battery and a controller for power control, allowing for enhanced atomization performance and temperature detection without separate sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate temperature sensor is arranged to detect temperature changes, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature detection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element and temperature sensing function are merged into a single integrated heating pattern. The heating pattern serves dual purposes: generating heat through resistive heating and sensing temperature changes through resistance variations. This eliminates the need for separate temperature sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating pattern is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the heating element (generating heat) and the temperature sensor (detecting temperature changes). This multi-functionality approach allows the same component to fulfill both heating and temperature monitoring roles, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the contact area between wick and heating element is increased, then atomization performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatomization performanceVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating pattern is designed with an extended shape that wraps around or contacts the wick along its length, effectively increasing the contact area from a point or small surface to a distributed three-dimensional interface. This dimensional approach allows greater heating surface area without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The wick is designed with porous structure that allows it to conform to and increase contact area with the heating pattern. The porous material enables the wick to penetrate or closely follow the contours of the heating element, maximizing the effective contact area for atomization while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Measurement precision

If precise temperature control is implemented, then aerosol generation quality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated heating pattern provides real-time temperature feedback through its resistance changes, which are detected by the control circuit. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to adjust power delivery dynamically, maintaining precise temperature control while minimizing energy consumption by only heating when and where needed, rather than using continuous high-power heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 atomization performance by increasing the contact area between the aerosol generating material and the heating element, enabling precise temperature measurement and control, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the aerosol generation process.

Implementation Method 1

a heating pattern printed on at least one surface of the first wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the first wick

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a sensing pattern printed on the same surface of the first wick as the heating pattern and configured to measure a temperature of the heating pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature-resistance relationship: Thermistor

Implementation Method 3

a first wick configured to absorb the aerosol generating material from the storage unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20250000147A1Vaporizer and aerosol generating device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

A vaporizer includes a storage unit configured to store an aerosol generating material, a first wick configured to absorb the aerosol generating material from the storage unit, a heating pattern printed on at least one surface of the first wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the first wick, and a sensing pattern printed on the same surface of the first wick as the heating pattern and configured to measure a temperature of the heating pattern.