Shape Memory Foam Liquid Control for Vapour Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapour generating devices face challenges in ensuring adequate liquid delivery to the wick during use while preventing leakage when not in use, leading to issues like 'dry puffs' and liquid saturation.
Innovation Solution
A consumable article featuring a shape memory foam that changes from a compressed, impermeable state to an expanded, permeable state in response to a stimulus, such as heat, allowing liquid to flow to the wick only when the device is in use, thereby preventing leakage when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the liquid storage means supplies sufficient liquid during use, then adequate liquid delivery to the wick is achieved, but liquid leakage occurs when the device is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The wick is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically. During use, the wick moves to contact the liquid storage means for adequate liquid supply. When not in use, the wick moves away to prevent liquid leakage, resolving the contradiction between sufficient liquid delivery and leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the wick based on operational state. When the device is in use, the wick is positioned to maximize liquid contact and delivery. When not in use, the wick position changes to minimize or eliminate liquid contact, thereby preventing leakage while maintaining adequate supply during operation.
2Quantity of substance
If the wick is positioned to maximize liquid contact, then adequate liquid delivery is achieved, but liquid saturation occurs when the device is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wick design allows dynamic adjustment of liquid contact. During operation, the wick is positioned to maximize liquid contact for reliable delivery. When not in use, the wick moves away from the liquid storage means, preventing saturation and maintaining system reliability over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the wick away from the liquid storage means when not in use, preventing saturation before it occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when the device is next used, the wick is in the correct position for liquid delivery without being saturated from prolonged contact.
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 ensures consistent liquid delivery to the wick, preventing 'dry puffs' and minimizing liquid leakage, optimizing the wicking rate and extending the device's usability by maintaining the liquid within the foam until activation.
Implementation Method 1
a shape memory foam which has a compressed temporary shape in which pores of the shape memory foam are closed so as to prevent passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam, wherein the shape memory foam is responsive to a stimulus to change from the temporary shape to an expanded permanent shape in which the pores are open
Implementation Method 2
using a heater coil which applies heat to a liquid held in a wick in order to vaporise the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A consumable article for a vapour generating device includes: a store of liquid for vaporisation in the vapour generating device; and a shape memory foam having a compressed temporary shape in which pores of the shape memory foam are closed so as to prevent passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam, wherein the shape memory foam is responsive to a stimulus to change from the temporary shape to an expanded permanent shape in which the pores are open so as to allow passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam for the vaporisation.