Shuttle Valve and SFAP Insert for E-Cigarette Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic smoking and vaping devices face challenges in controlling the flow of liquid to prevent leaks and air bubbles, while efficiently delivering aerosol with small particle sizes and high delivery rates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shuttle valve with a plunger and seals to control the flow of liquid from a pressurized reservoir to a capillary, combined with a sheath flow and aerosol promoter (SFAP) insert that enhances cooling and particle formation, ensuring efficient aerosol delivery and preventing condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is used to control liquid flow from the reservoir, then liquid leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to move between open and closed positions dynamically, allowing liquid flow control. The spring provides continuous force to return the valve to its initial position, creating a dynamic system that adapts to operational needs while maintaining simplicity through natural spring mechanics rather than complex actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the valve member for flow control, the spring for resetting, and the housing for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall complexity while achieving reliable liquid flow control.
2Productivity
If liquid flow rate is increased to improve delivery rate, then aerosol delivery efficiency improves, but air bubble formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member acts as an intermediary between the reservoir and the capillary, controlling liquid flow in a regulated manner. By providing a controlled passage that can be opened or closed, it ensures liquid is delivered at optimal rates without creating conditions that lead to air bubble formation, thus mediating between high delivery rate requirements and bubble prevention.
3Productivity
If the heater temperature is increased to enhance aerosol generation, then aerosol production efficiency improves, but liquid material volatilization control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls aerosol generation by changing the valve position parameter (open/closed) to regulate liquid flow rate to the heater. This parameter change approach allows the heater to operate at optimal temperatures for efficient aerosol generation while the controlled liquid supply prevents excessive volatilization and maintains precision in the aerosolization process.
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 effectively prevents leaks and air bubbles, enhances aerosol cooling, and results in smaller particle sizes and higher delivery rates, improving the overall vaping experience.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary in fluid communication with the valve outlet and operable to deliver liquid from the valve outlet to the heater
Implementation Method 2
a heater operable to heat the capillary to a temperature sufficient to volatilize liquid in the capillary
Implementation Method 3
The heater heats the capillary to a temperature sufficient to volatilize liquid in the capillary
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic smoking article or electronic vaping article includes a reservoir containing a liquid material and having an outlet, a capillary having a capillary inlet and a capillary outlet, the capillary inlet of the capillary in communication with the outlet of the reservoir, a heater operable to heat the capillary to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material contained within the capillary, and a shuttle valve between the outlet of the reservoir and the capillary inlet. The shuttle valve is operable to prevent release of liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in a closed position and is operable to release liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in an open position.