Vaporizer Element With Braided Heating Wick

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices lack efficient mechanisms for receiving and vaporizing consumables containing vapor or aerosol generating substances, leading to suboptimal vaporization and aerosol generation.

Innovation Solution

A vaporizer element with a structure featuring a chamber that removably receives a consumable, incorporating a wick structure and multiple heating means, including braided conductor or meshed heating elements, to facilitate efficient vaporization through capillary action and controlled temperature gradients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the heating element is integrated within the consumable cartridge, then the device structure is simplified, but the vaporization efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvaporization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate functional modules: a reusable vaporizer unit containing the heating element and a removable consumable cartridge containing the vaporizable material. This segmentation allows the heating element to be optimized for efficiency while the consumable is optimized for portability and replacement, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and vaporization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wick structure serves as an intermediary component between the consumable cartridge and the heating element. The wick receives vaporizable material from the consumable and delivers it to the heating element for efficient vaporization, enabling the heating element to operate at optimal efficiency while maintaining a simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the heating element is located externally from the consumable, then the vaporization efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaporization efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wick structure and heating element are merged into a single integrated vaporizer unit that combines the functions of material delivery and thermal processing. This merging reduces the number of separate components and connections needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining external heating for optimal vaporization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single heating means is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the vaporization control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating systemVSAvoidvaporization control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heating means are positioned at different locations within the vaporizer chamber, with each heating element targeting specific zones. This allows different regions to be heated to different temperatures, enabling precise control over the vaporization process and adaptation to various vaporizable materials while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables efficient vaporization and aerosol generation by ensuring the consumable is heated outside the device, allowing for a more convenient and efficient inhalation experience with improved vaporization efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one wick structure for receiving the at least one vaporizable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The first and/or second heating means comprise or consist of a braided conductor heating element or a meshed structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4156986B1Aerosol generating device element
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP4156986B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4156986B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2
  • EP4156986B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure concerns a vaporizer element (1) for an aerosol generating device including a structure (3) defining a chamber (5) configured for removably receiving at least a portion of a consumable therein, the consumable being removable from the structure and containing at least one vaporizable material. The structure comprises at least one wick structure (7) for receiving the at least one vaporizable material, the at least one wick structure extending along at least an inner portion of the structure to define at least a portion of the chamber. The vaporizer element includes first and second heating means (37, 39) comprising a braided conductor heating element or a meshed structure, the wick structure extending fully or partially therebetween.