Radiant Heating Aerosol Device for Wick Charring Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol delivery devices face issues with charring of wicks, thermal degradation, and pyrolysis when using traditional heating methods, which reduce the device's lifespan and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of radiant heating, specifically through a radiation-trapping chamber and a laser diode or other heat sources, to vaporize aerosol precursors with minimal charring and thermal degradation, focusing energy for efficient vaporization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heating methods are used to vaporize aerosol precursors, then vaporization can be achieved, but charring of wick, thermal degradation, and pyrolysis occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidcharring and thermal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional conductive/convective heating systems with a radiant heating system using electromagnetic radiation (laser or other radiant sources). This substitution allows for more controlled and localized heating that achieves vaporization temperatures without the widespread thermal degradation and charring associated with traditional heating methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The radiant heating system provides localized heating precisely where needed for vaporization, rather than heating the entire wick and surrounding components uniformly. This localized approach maintains lower temperatures in non-vaporization zones, preventing charring and extending component lifetime while achieving effective vaporization at the target location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If traditional heating methods are used, then aerosol production can occur, but the usable lifetime of heater and wick is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol production efficiencyVSAvoidlifespan of heater and wick

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing traditional contact-based heating with radiant heating, the system eliminates or reduces direct thermal stress on the wick and heater components. This substitution maintains aerosol production efficiency while significantly extending the operational lifetime of these consumable components by avoiding the charring and degradation that limit their service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If focused heating is used to increase heating efficiency, then energy concentration improves, but thermal degradation and pyrolysis increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidpyrolysis and thermal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radiant heating system uses electromagnetic radiation to deliver focused energy efficiently to the vaporization zone. Unlike conventional heating that concentrates thermal energy through conduction and convection (causing widespread thermal degradation), radiant heating delivers energy directly as photons that are absorbed at the target, achieving high heating efficiency with minimal thermal mass involvement and reduced pyrolysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach extends the usable lifetime of the heater and wick, reduces thermal degradation, and minimizes pyrolysis, providing a more efficient and reliable aerosol production process.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation source configured to provide radiation within the radiation-trapping chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The aerosol delivery devices can provide for improved heating of aerosol precursor compositions through utilization of radiant heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heating: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The chamber may provide for trapping of the radiation at least in part due to the configuration of an interior surface of a wall of the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation trapping: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

a laser diode configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation at a specific wavelength or band of wavelengths that can be tuned for vaporization of the aerosol precursor composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS20210385909A1Aerosol delivery device with radiant heating

Publication Date: 2021.12.09 RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices configured for vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition through radiant heating.The radiant heat source may be a laser diode or further element suitable for providing electromagnetic radiation, and heating may be carried out within a radiation-trapping chamber. In some embodiments, an interior of such chamber may be configured as a black body or as a white body.