Shape-Memory Microvalve for Aerosol Liquid Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol delivery devices lack enhanced functionality and fail to provide the sensations of smoking without significant combustion or chemical alteration of tobacco, while also offering customizable inhalable substances.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol delivery device utilizing electrical energy to vaporize an aerosol precursor composition, incorporating a microvalve and a shape-memory alloy to regulate flow, and a cartridge with a replaceable or refillable reservoir for tobacco-derived components, allowing for customizable inhalable substances and sensory experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical energy is used to vaporize aerosol precursor composition, then combustion products are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical combustion system with an electrical vaporization system. Instead of burning tobacco to generate inhalable substances, the device uses an electrical heater to vaporize an aerosol precursor composition, thereby eliminating combustion products while providing a controlled method for generating inhalable vapor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from high-temperature combustion to controlled electrical heating at lower temperatures. By adjusting the heating temperature and using a liquid aerosol precursor composition instead of solid tobacco, the system achieves vaporization without combustion, reducing harmful factors while managing device complexity through parameter optimization.
2Measurement precision
If shape-memory alloy is used to regulate flow, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of shape-memory alloy materials to achieve flow control. The alloy transitions between martensite and austenite phases in response to temperature changes, enabling precise regulation of aerosol precursor flow to the heater without requiring complex mechanical valve systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape-memory alloy provides self-regulating flow control based on temperature feedback from the heating element. When the heater temperature increases, the alloy automatically adjusts its shape to regulate flow, creating a self-balancing system that improves precision without adding external control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customizable inhalable substances are provided, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal aerosol generation system that can accommodate various inhalable substances through a standardized heater and reservoir configuration. By using a通用的 vaporization mechanism that works with different aerosol precursor compositions (tobacco-derived, pharmaceutical, flavorings), the system achieves adaptability while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the customizable element (aerosol precursor composition in the reservoir) from the fixed infrastructure (heater, housing, flow control). This segmentation allows different substances to be easily swapped by replacing or refilling the reservoir without modifying the core device, thereby improving adaptability while keeping manufacturing complexity manageable.
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 device produces inhalable vapors resembling traditional smoking without combustion, providing customizable flavors and pharmaceutical ingredients, and ensuring efficient aerosol production and user control.
Implementation Method 1
a shape-memory alloy configured to change shape in response to heat produced from electrical current provided by the power source
Implementation Method 2
a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition to a temperature sufficient to generate an inhalable vapor
Implementation Method 3
utilizing electrical energy to vaporize an aerosol precursor composition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge (104) may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir (144), an atomizer (115) configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element 136, a second liquid transport element 182, and a microvalve 180 located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member 181 including at least one channel (192A-B), and an actuating member 185A-B at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member substantially blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element.