Rotatable Contact Finger Atomizer for Adjustable Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic smoking devices face challenges in adjusting heating characteristics of the heating wire, which degrades over time, requiring frequent replacements and varying heating needs for different liquids.
Innovation Solution
An atomizer with a rotatable contact finger that adjusts the electrical connection to the heating wire at multiple contact portions, allowing users to control resistance and heating characteristics without altering the voltage supply, enabling easy replacement of worn portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating wire is used repeatedly to vaporize liquid, then the atomizer can provide continuous vapor generation, but the heating wire degrades and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The heating wire is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section having different resistance characteristics. The contact finger can selectively contact different sections to use only a portion of the heating wire at a time, allowing worn sections to be bypassed and extending the overall lifespan of the heating wire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact finger is made rotatable to dynamically change the contact portion on the heating wire. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition from using one section of the heating wire to another section as the first section degrades, maintaining continuous functionality without replacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heating characteristics are adjusted for different liquids, then the atomizer can optimize vaporization for various e-liquids, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the heating wire are designed with different resistance values and heating characteristics. By contacting specific sections, the system provides locally optimized heating properties for different liquids without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-adjustment capability where the user can manually rotate the contact finger to select different heating wire sections based on the liquid being used. This simple mechanical adjustment eliminates the need for complex electronic control systems while maintaining adaptability.
3Device complexity
If the contact finger is fixed to a single contact portion, then the device structure is simple, but the heating characteristics cannot be adjusted and worn portions cannot be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact finger is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its contact position on the heating wire. This simple mechanical movement enables adjustment of heating characteristics and replacement of worn portions without adding complex mechanisms.
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 solution allows for adjustable heating characteristics, extends the atomizer's lifespan by allowing for selective replacement of worn heating coils, and maintains consistent performance with an invariable power source, reducing heat generation and vapor production as needed.
Implementation Method 1
When a puff is detected, the control electronics supplies electrical power to the atomizer thereby creating vaporized liquid as an aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided an electronic smoking device (1) with a housing (2) including an atomizer (6) and a liquid reservoir (4). The atomizer (6) comprises a heating wire (8) and at least a first contact finger (9) adapted to supply a first electrical potential to the heating wire (8). The first contact finger (9) is adapted to contact the heating wire (8) at a plurality of different contact portions (P1, P2, P3, P4) thereby altering the heating characteristics of the atomizer (6) which vaporizes liquid (5) supplied from the reservoir (4) to generate an aerosol (7).