Shape-Memory Microvalve for Consistent Aerosol Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol delivery devices lack precise control over liquid delivery, leading to inconsistent vaporization and user experience, particularly in devices that utilize electrical power to vaporize aerosol precursor compositions without significant combustion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a microvalve mechanism with a shape-memory material actuating member that responds to heat stimuli, allowing for controlled fluid flow between a liquid reservoir and an atomizer, enabling precise regulation of aerosol production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microvalve mechanism with shape-memory material actuating member is incorporated, then control precision over liquid delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical valve actuation mechanisms with a shape-memory material actuating member that responds to thermal stimuli. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, springs, and actuators while achieving precise control through the inherent phase transition properties of the shape-memory material, thereby improving control precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in temperature as a control parameter to actuate the microvalve. By heating or cooling the shape-memory material, the valve transitions between open and closed states, enabling precise control of liquid delivery through simple thermal parameter changes rather than complex mechanical or electrical control systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If shape-memory material actuating member is used for fluid flow control, then aerosol production consistency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-memory material actuating member is self-actuating through its inherent response to thermal stimuli. It automatically transitions between states based on temperature changes without requiring external mechanical actuators, complex control circuits, or manual adjustment mechanisms. This self-service capability ensures consistent aerosol production while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components that need to be assembled and calibrated
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 solution provides enhanced control over aerosol production, ensuring consistent vaporization and improved user experience by allowing for precise regulation of fluid flow, thereby addressing the inconsistency in aerosol delivery.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of which is constructed of a shape-memory material, and which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a heating member
Implementation Method 3
a heat transfer component configured to transfer heat from the heating member to the actuating member
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir, an atomizer configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element, a second liquid transport element, and a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member including at least one channel, and an actuating member 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.