Vaporizer Cooling Unit with Adjustable Flow Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaporizers often produce vaporized substances and air at uncomfortable temperatures for inhalation, require large cooling pathways, and cannot be used in a hands-free manner.
Innovation Solution
A cooling unit for vaporizers that includes a housing with an air flow path, an inlet for air and vaporized compounds, and an outlet for delivery to the user. The unit features an adjuster that alters the cross-sectional area of the air flow path, allowing users to adjust the air flow rate for a constant negative gauge pressure, and a mouthpiece with a hands-free engagement structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling pathway is added to lower the temperature of vaporized substance and air, then the temperature comfort for inhalation is improved, but the device size increases due to the space needed for effective cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pathway is segmented into multiple sections with progressively varying cross-sectional areas. The air flow path is divided into a first section, second section, and third section, each with different cooling characteristics, allowing effective cooling without requiring a uniformly large cooling chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow path cross-sectional area varies dynamically along the flow direction, transitioning from a first cross-sectional area in the first section to a second cross-sectional area in the second section, and to a third cross-sectional area in the third section. This dynamic variation optimizes cooling efficiency while minimizing device volume
2Temperature
If ambient air is mixed with vaporized substance to lower temperature, then temperature comfort is improved, but aerosol density decreases and results become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful mixing of ambient air with vaporized substance is eliminated by extracting the vaporized substance through a dedicated cooling pathway that uses pre-cooled air or controlled environmental air, preventing contamination and maintaining aerosol density while achieving temperature reduction
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled intermediary air stream is introduced through the cooling pathway to cool the vaporized substance without directly mixing ambient air. This intermediary mechanism allows temperature control while maintaining consistent aerosol properties
3Productivity
If the cross-sectional area of air flow path is increased to allow greater air volume flow, then the air flow rate increases, but the cooling effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path cross-sectional area is designed to vary dynamically along the flow direction, with different sections having different areas optimized for their specific functions. The first section has a larger area for high flow rate, while subsequent sections have progressively smaller areas to maintain cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the air flow path are given different local characteristics - the first section is optimized for high air flow rate with larger cross-sectional area, while the second and third sections are optimized for cooling effectiveness with smaller cross-sectional areas, creating local quality variations that satisfy both requirements
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 cooling unit effectively cools the air and vaporized compounds to a comfortable temperature for inhalation, allows for adjustable air flow rates, and enables hands-free use, addressing the limitations of existing vaporizers.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit for a vaporizer includes a housing defining an air flow path with an inlet configured to receive air and vaporized compounds and an outlet configured to deliver the air and vaporized compounds to a user. The air flow path is configured so that a temperature of the air and vaporized compounds decreases from the inlet to the outlet.
Data Source
AI summary
A vaporizer cooling unit including a housing defining an air flow path. The air flow path having an inlet configured to receive air and vaporized compounds, and an outlet configured to deliver the air and vaporized compounds to a user. The air flow path is configured so that a temperature of the air and vaporized compounds decreases from the inlet to the outlet. An adjuster may be coupled to the housing to adjust an air flow rate through the outlet. The housing may have interior and exterior walls spaced form each other such that air entering the inlet contacts the interior wall. The air flow path may include first and second sections on different planes within the housing. The cooling unit may include a mouthpiece with a hands free engagement structure for hands free holding of the unit.