Vapor Generation Unit Wick Assembly Positioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor generation units for non-combustion-type flavor inhalers face challenges in automating the winding of coil-shaped heater elements around rod-shaped wicks, leading to reduced productivity and compactness, and difficulties in ensuring reliable contact between the wick and heater, affecting the unit's performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A vapor generation unit design that includes a wick support, a heater with a housing space for the wick assembly, and a positioning mechanism to move the wick assembly from a non-contact to a contact position with the heater element, allowing for automated assembly and improved contact reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coil-shaped heater element is manually wound around the rod-shaped wick, then the contact reliability between wick and heater element is improved, but the productivity and automation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wick assembly is preliminarily positioned at a non-contact position during automated assembly, then subsequently moved to the contact position through the positioning mechanism. This preliminary positioning enables automated assembly while ensuring reliable contact is achieved in a controlled manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism automatically moves the wick assembly from non-contact to contact position without requiring manual intervention. The system performs the contact-making action itself through automated mechanical movement, eliminating the need for manual winding while maintaining contact reliability.
2Reliability
If the coil-shaped heater element is manually wound around the rod-shaped wick, then the contact reliability between wick and heater element is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The winding operation is extracted from the assembly process, separating the positioning function from the contact-making function. The positioning mechanism independently handles the movement to contact position, simplifying the overall device structure compared to manual winding requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism automatically performs the contact-making action through programmed mechanical movement, eliminating the need for complex manual winding operations or specialized winding equipment. The system serves itself by automating the positioning and contact process.
3Ease of operation
If the wick is positioned separated from the heater base in the axial direction to allow winding operation, then the winding operation space is ensured, but the heater and vapor generation unit become non-compact
Solution Approach 1:
The wick assembly is preliminarily positioned at a non-contact position that is separated from the heater base, providing the necessary space for automated positioning operations. This preliminary separation enables compact final assembly while accommodating the positioning mechanism's operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick assembly's position is dynamic rather than fixed - it transitions from a separated non-contact position during assembly to a contact position during operation. This dynamic positioning allows the unit to be compact in its operational state while providing operational space during the positioning process.
4Productivity
If automated assembly is implemented for the heater and wick assembly, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision of wick-heater contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism automatically performs the precise positioning and contact-making action through programmed mechanical movement. The system itself ensures the manufacturing precision by controlling the movement to achieve accurate contact between the wick and heater element, maintaining precision while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical winding is replaced with an automated positioning mechanism that uses controlled mechanical movement to achieve contact. This substitution maintains manufacturing precision through automated control while significantly improving productivity.
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 design enhances the reliability and productivity of the vapor generation unit while making it more compact, ensuring efficient vapor generation and aerosol production for non-combustion-type flavor inhalers.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for heating a liquid to generate a vapor, and the heater includes a wick (liquid holding member) that is a rod-shaped liquid transport element and a heater element that is a wire extending in the longitudinal direction of the wick. The heater element generates a vapor by heating the liquid held by the wick using the heater element wound around the rod-shaped wick in a coil shape.
Implementation Method 2
a wick (liquid holding member) that is a rod-shaped liquid transport element
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor generation unit is for use in a non-combustion-type flavor inhaler that includes a wick, a wick support, a heater, a holder, and a positioning mechanism. The wick holds a liquid and is attached to the wick support. The heater includes a housing space that houses a wick assembly that is formed from the wick and the wick support and a heater element that is contacted by the wick. The holder is assembled on the heater element side of an assembly that is formed from the heater and the wick assembly. The positioning mechanism makes it possible for the wick assembly to be housed in the housing space such that the wick is not in contact with the heater element and moves the wick assembly as housed in the housing space so as to position the wick assembly such that the wick is in contact with the heater element.