EP3962309A1 - Dispositif de vaporisation de liquide - Google Patents

Dispositif de vaporisation de liquide

Info

Publication number
EP3962309A1
EP3962309A1 EP20798989.8A EP20798989A EP3962309A1 EP 3962309 A1 EP3962309 A1 EP 3962309A1 EP 20798989 A EP20798989 A EP 20798989A EP 3962309 A1 EP3962309 A1 EP 3962309A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
chamber
regulating member
pressure regulating
pressure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20798989.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3962309A4 (fr
Inventor
Badri Prasad Dubey
Hitesh Dubey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shenzhen Next Vape Technology Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Shenzhen Next Vape Technology Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shenzhen Next Vape Technology Co Ltd filed Critical Shenzhen Next Vape Technology Co Ltd
Publication of EP3962309A1 publication Critical patent/EP3962309A1/fr
Publication of EP3962309A4 publication Critical patent/EP3962309A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/44—Wicks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/70—Manufacture

Definitions

  • the subject described herein in general, relates to an electronic cigarette. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to regulating pressure within a chamber storing the liquid in an electronic cigarette.
  • E-cigarette Electronic cigarettes
  • E-cigarette includes a battery-powered atomizing device to atomize e-liquid containing nicotine or other active ingredients when activated by a user.
  • Atomizers of some e-cigarettes are manually activated by user operated switch.
  • one or more sensors automatically activate an atomizer.
  • the atomizer comprises a wick configured to absorb e-liquid stored in a liquid storing chamber. The e-liquid absorbed by the wick is then fed to a connected heating element for the conversion of the e-liquid to vapor or aerosol form, upon activation of the heating element.
  • the space wherein this conversion of liquid into vapour takes place is frequently called as the vaporization zone.
  • the suction pressure applied by the user is transmitted to the vaporization zone.
  • the vapour generated at the vaporization zone is inhaled by the user.
  • certain disadvantages are associated with the conventional e-cigarettes such as inconsistent availability of the e-liquid at the vaporisation zone and leakage of the e- liquid from the e-cigarette.
  • the negative pressure inside the chamber restricts the liquid from being pulled out from the chamber to the vaporization zone, thereby reducing the amount of vapour generation. Though the liquid still flows to the vaporization zone due to the suction pressure applied by the user, the generation of varying negative pressure inside the chamber results in inconsistent availability of the liquid at the wick / vaporization zone.
  • the pressure at the vaporization zone is back to normal atmospheric pressure.
  • some amount of the liquid which is available at the wick returns back to the chamber and creates a vacant path for air to enter inside the chamber. The air can enter the chamber through the wick only when the concentration of air at the wick goes above a particular threshold (empirically around 15%).
  • the air enters into the chamber and occupies the enhanced non-liquid space it counteracts against the negative pressure that was generated earlier. Now the liquid may again get absorbed by the wick, thereby closing the air entry gap. Further, the entry of air into the chamber is only through the porous wick and possible only after completion of the puffing action by the user.
  • the non-liquid space inside the chamber is much lesser as compared to the non-liquid space inside the chamber at later stages of usage. Therefore, the additional non-liquid space created due to consumption of liquid leads to development of relatively higher negative pressure at initial stages of device usage.
  • the issue of inconsistent availability of liquid at vaporization zone is accentuated during the initial stages of usage.
  • Another disadvantage associated with the conventional e-cigarette models is leakage of e-liquid.
  • the force of gravity continuously pushes the e-liquid from the chamber to the liquid absorption part i.e. the wick.
  • the e-liquid absorbed by the wick reaches a saturation state, under various circumstances such as temperature variation or mechanical impacts, the e-liquid may drop down causing leakage of the e-liquid.
  • Those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter would appreciate the other reasons for leakage such as existence of micro-gaps in the assembly of the chamber and the wick-heater assembly.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • a device for vaporising liquid comprises a housing defining a chamber to store liquid, and a pressure regulating member engaged to the chamber. A first portion of the pressure regulating member is exposed to the chamber and a second portion of the pressure regulating member is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
  • the pressure regulating member comprises of porous material, which absorbs the liquid into some of the pores without any external energy input, when pressure inside the chamber is sufficient to allow liquid to partially overcome air barrier formed by air within some of the pores, while restricting the liquid leakage into the atmosphere under normal operating conditions.
  • the porous material also allows air from the atmosphere to enter the chamber, when pressure inside the chamber drops to an extent that allows air to at least partially overcome liquid barrier formed by liquid within some of the pores.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates an assembled view of a device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. IB is a disassembled view of the device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1C illustrates an isometric view of a housing 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. ID illustrates a rear perspective view of the housing 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the housing 102 along a section depicted in FIG. 1C, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGs. 3A-3F and 5A-5F exemplary illustrates various arrangements of one or more pressure regulating members 206, with the wick 202 and the heating element aligned horizontally to the chamber 210 or the housing 102;
  • FIGs. 4A- 4H and 6A-6F exemplary illustrates various arrangements of the one or more pressure regulating members 206, with the wick 202 and the heating element 204 aligned vertically to the chamber 210;
  • FIG. 7A illustrates a battery assembly 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 7B illustrates an airflow sensor 702 housed in the battery assembly 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 7C illustrates a diffusor component 708, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGs. 8A - 8D illustrates filling of the liquid 216 into the chamber 210, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 8E illustrates rotation of the housing 102 on completion of the filling process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8F illustrates maintenance of non-liquid space 217 at the top portion of the chamber 210, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9A-9C illustrates the calculation of surface energy of an exemplar porous material used for pressure regulating member 206.
  • the terms“a” or“an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one.
  • the term“or” is used to refer to a non exclusive“or”, such that“A or B” includes“A but not B”,“B but not A”, and“A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.
  • a device for vaporising liquid comprises a housing defining a chamber to store the liquid, and a pressure regulating member engaged to the chamber.
  • the housing comprises a wick, a heating element and the pressure regulating member.
  • a first portion of the wick is configured to absorb liquid from the chamber.
  • the liquid from the first portion of the wick is drawn to the second portion of the wick as the user initiates a puffing action.
  • the liquid present in the second portion of the wick is heated by the heating element.
  • the pressure regulating member comprises a first portion exposed to the chamber, and a second portion which is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
  • the pressure regulating member comprises of porous material, which absorbs the liquid into some of the pores without any external energy input, when pressure inside the chamber is sufficient to allow liquid to partially overcome air barrier formed by air within some of the pores, while restricting the liquid leakage into the atmosphere under normal operating conditions.
  • porous material allows air from the atmosphere to enter the chamber when pressure inside the chamber drops to an extent that allows air to at least partially overcome liquid barrier formed by liquid within some of the pores.
  • the device further comprises a battery assembly, wherein the housing is received by the battery assembly.
  • the battery assembly may comprise of an airflow sensor, wherein the airflow sensor detects the attributes related to air flow into the device and sends a signal to the printed circuit board to deliver power to the heating element.
  • the device 100 is a vaporising device or a vaping device or an e-cigarette or any device configured to vaporise liquid or e-liquid.
  • the device 100 comprises a housing 102, and a battery assembly 104.
  • the housing 102 forms the first assembled unit and the battery assembly 104 forms the second assembled unit.
  • the housing 102 is received by the battery assembly 104 to form a usable device 100.
  • the housing 102 may be detached from the battery assembly 104.
  • FIG. IB illustrates a disassembled view of the device 100, in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the housing 102 may be detached or separated from the battery assembly 104.
  • FIG. 1C illustrates an isometric view of the housing 102, in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the housing 102 comprises a first end 102a and a second end 102b, which is opposed to the first end 102a.
  • a first opening 112 is provided towards the first end 102a of the housing 102 for the exit of the vaporised liquid from the device 100, which is inhaled by the user.
  • the housing may comprise of a cap 114, wherein the cap 114 defines the first opening 112 that enables the exits of the vaporised liquid to be inhaled by the user.
  • the housing 102 defines a second opening 106, a third opening 108, a fourth opening 110, and at least two connecting ports 116a and 116b towards the second end 102b.
  • the fourth opening 110 is configured to allow the entry of air into the housing 102 from the atmosphere. Further, the fourth opening 110 could be provided between the two connecting ports 116a and 116b.
  • the housing 102 comprises a wick 202 (comprising portions 202a and 202b), a heating element 204, a pressure regulating member 206 and an elastomeric component 208.
  • the third opening 108 is sealed with the elastomeric component 208 restricting the entry or exit of liquid or air through the third opening 108.
  • the elastomeric component 208 may be for example, but not limited to, a silicon plug.
  • the shape of the elastomeric component 208 is such that it easily fits into the channel associated with third opening 108 provided in the housing 102.
  • the housing 102 defines a chamber 210.
  • the chamber 210 may be configured to store the liquid 216.
  • the liquid 216 stored in the chamber 210 is heated to vaporize or transform from liquid state into vapor form for inhalation.
  • liquid 216 stored in the chamber 210 may be, for example propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerine (VG) based liquid solution or may be a mixture of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine, water, flavours and active ingredient (usually nicotine).
  • Table 1 represents surface tension and rotational viscosity of such typical liquids.
  • Table 2 represents surface tension and its polar and dispersive components for few typical liquids.
  • the surface tension of the liquid 216 is between 34 mN/m and 45 mN/m.
  • the rotational viscosity of the liquid 216 is between 287 mPa.s and 769 mPa.s.
  • the liquid 216 stored in the chamber 210 may be any liquid that serves the purpose of the present invention, and not limited to liquids disclosed above.
  • the heating element 204 and at least a portion of the wick 202 are enclosed within an enclosure 212.
  • the enclosure 212 prevents the escape of the vapour or aerosol formed by heating the liquid 216 and enables the flow of the aerosols only through a central passage 214, towards the opening 112.
  • the opening 112 is provided towards a mouthpiece of the device 100.
  • the space inside the enclosure 212, wherein the liquid 216 is converted into vapour is the vaporization zone 215.
  • the wick 202 is disposed towards the second end 102b of the housing 102.
  • the wick 202 is a porous material configured to absorb or draw the liquid 216 from the chamber 210 by capillary action.
  • the wick 202 comprises a first portion 202a and a second portion 202b.
  • the first portion 202a of the wick 202 is exposed to the liquid 216 stored in the chamber 210 and configured to absorb the liquid 216 from the chamber 210.
  • the second portion 202b of the wick 202 is in close vicinity with the heating element 214 and both are positioned inside the vaporization zone.
  • the heating element 204 is a coil formed from heating wire of suitable resistivity and is wound over the wick 202.
  • negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) is created inside the vaporisation zone 215 as the user initiates a puffing action.
  • the fourth opening 110 draws air from the atmosphere.
  • the liquid 216 is drawn to the second portion 202b of the wick through the first portion 202a of the wick 202 as the air is sucked through the fourth opening 110.
  • the liquid is now available around the vicinity of the heating element 204 of the device 100.
  • the pressure at the vaporisation zone 215 is back to normal atmospheric pressure.
  • the surface energy of the wick 202 is greater than the surface tension of the liquid 216 in the chamber 210 to ensure complete wetting at most times.
  • the surface energy of the wick 202 may be preferably greater than 45 mJ/m 2 .
  • the methodology of calculating surface energy and its components is described in detail later.
  • the contact angle between the wick 202 and the liquid 216 should preferably be 0°.
  • the wick 202 may be made of material that can withstand high temperature up to 350° C. This is because the wick 202 is in contact with the heating element 204.
  • the materials that may be used as wick 202 are for example, but not limited to, ceramic, fiber glass and cotton, among others. Table 3 represents typical surface energies and polarities of such materials:
  • the heating element 204 is configured to heat the liquid 216 absorbed by the wick 202.
  • an airflow sensor 702 provided in the battery assembly 104 gets activated which sends signal to a PCB (printed circuit board) to supply power to the heating element 204.
  • the heating element 204 may be a coil, a wire or any heating means that serves the purpose of the present invention.
  • the vapor 216 on being heated by the heating element 204 is vaporised, the vapor is inhaled by the user.
  • the vapor flows towards the first end 102a of the housing 102 via the central passage 214.
  • the chamber 210 comprise of two sections: space occupied by the liquid 216 and the non-liquid space 217. As the liquid 216 gets used up, the non-liquid space
  • the pressure within the chamber 210 can increase or decrease due to respective increase or decrease in temperature.
  • the pressure within the chamber 210 is not a uniform value as it depends on the height of liquid column as well.
  • the intra-chamber pressure variation could be between 0.1 kPa to 0.5 kPa.
  • the pressure regulating material 206 is configured to maintain a desired pressure, pressure less than atmospheric pressure, within the chamber 210. Further, within the chamber 210, the pressure regulating member 206 and the wick 202 are subjected to similar pressure condition.
  • the pressure regulating member 206 is positioned towards the second end 102b of the housing 102.
  • the pressure regulating member 206 comprises a first portion 206a and a second portion 206b.
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 is positioned towards the second end 102b of the housing 102 such that the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 is in contact with the liquid stored in the chamber 210.
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating material 206 interface with the liquid, when the device 100 is held in a position recommended during vaporisation i.e. position in which the wick 202 is in contact with the liquid 216.
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 should be in contact with the liquid stored in the chamber 210 to perform its function.
  • the second portion 206b of the pressure regulating material 206 is disposed towards the second opening 106 defined by the housing 102.
  • the second opening 106 permits the entry of ambient air into the chamber 210 through the pressure regulating material 206.
  • the liquid 216 from the chamber 210 is exposed to atmospheric pressure in the absence of the pressure regulating material 206.
  • the pressure regulating material 206 is stationary relative to the housing 102 to avoid any leakage of the liquid from the chamber 210.
  • the pressure regulating member 206 is engaged to the chamber 210 and configured to maintain sub-atmospheric pressure within the chamber 210.
  • the pressure regulating member 206 comprises of porous material.
  • the porous material is permeable to gas and prevents the outflow of the liquid from the chamber 210.
  • the porous material is configured to absorb the liquid 216 from the chamber 210 into some of its pores, which are previously occupied by air, when the pressure inside the chamber 210 is sufficient to allow liquid 216 to partially overcome an air barrier formed by air within some of the pores, without allowing the liquid to leak into the atmosphere under normal operating conditions.
  • the porous material will absorb more liquid when the pressure inside the chamber increases.
  • the pressure of air at the non-liquid space 217 also increases.
  • the flow of liquid 216 towards the wick 202 may be more or the wick 202 may absorb more amount of liquid 216 than required leading to leakage of the liquid 216 from the wick 202.
  • the porous material plays a vital role to maintain the pressure within the chamber 210, by absorbing the liquid 216 from the chamber 210 as discussed above.
  • the porous material also allows retraction of liquid 216 back to the chamber and entry of air from the atmosphere into the chamber 210, when the pressure inside the chamber 210 drops i.e. when the negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) crosses a threshold value.
  • the pressure inside the chamber 210 may drop due to depletion of the liquid 216 level inside the chamber 210, which may be due to continuous puffing action of the user or depletion of liquid 216.
  • the pressure inside the chamber 210 may also reduce due to drop in temperature.
  • the surface energy of the porous material is lesser than surface tension of the liquid in the chamber 210. Methodology for measurement of surface energy is discussed later.
  • the porous material may be for example sintered PE, sintered PET, PE/PET fibers or ceramic specially designed, among others.
  • the porous material may be any material that serves the purpose of the present invention and may have undergone surface treatment, such as, plasma treatment or surface coating with appropriate materials to modulate the surface energy.
  • the volume of the porous material is between 1 percent and 8 percent of maximum volume of the liquid stored in the chamber 210.
  • Table 4 represents the type of material, the surface energy and polarity of typical porous materials.
  • Fig. 9A -9C the raw experimental data and calculation of surface energy of Pressure Regulator 9 is presented.
  • Table 5 represents the Median Pore Diameter by volume, D me dian(V), of representative porous materials. The methodology for measuring pore size is discussed in detail later.
  • the surface energy of the porous material is preferably less than 34 mJ/m 2 .
  • the contact angle between the porous material and the liquid is preferably between 25° and 65°.
  • the Median Pore Diameter by volume, D me dian(V), of the pressure regulating member 206 is preferably higher than 30 microns.
  • the rotational viscosity of the liquid 216 is preferably more than 290 mPa.s and less than 430 mPa.s.
  • the negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) maintained at the non-liquid space 217 of the chamber 210 is preferably lkPa to 3kPa lower than atmospheric pressure.
  • FIGs. 3A-3F, 4A-4H, 5A-5F and 6A-6F various arrangements of one or more pressure regulating members 206 are discussed.
  • the drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Although illustrations have been described with reference to specific examples, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Specifically, though the pressure regulating member 206 is depicted as a body with uniform cross-section, the pressure regulating member 206 may well be a body with non-uniform cross-sectional.
  • the housing 102 may comprise of a groove 302 (FIG. 3A) to house the pressure regulating member 206.
  • the housing may also comprise of a base enclosure 301 (FIG. 3C) extending towards the second end 102b of the housing 102.
  • the two sides of the housing 102 are depicted by 304a and 304b (FIG. 3B).
  • the device 100 may comprise of one pressure regulating member 206 (FIGs. 3A-3F, 4A-4H). In another embodiment, the device 100 may comprise at least two pressure regulating members 206. (FIGs. 5A-5F and 6A-6F). The second pressure regulating member is depicted by 206' (FIG. 5A), while the corresponding first and second portion are depicted by 206a' and 206b' (FIG. 5D); and the corresponding second opening depicted by 106' (FIG. 5B). In yet another embodiment, the device 100 may comprise plurality of pressure regulating members 206 having different properties, size, shapes and positions.
  • the wick 202 and the heating element 204 may be horizontally aligned to the chamber 210 (FIGs 3A-3F, 5A-5F). In another embodiment, the wick 202 and the heating element 204 may be vertically aligned to the chamber 210 (FIGs 4A-4H, 6A-6F).
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 could be nearer, as compared to the second portion 206b of the pressure regulating member 206, to the second end 102b of the chamber 210 (FIG 3D, 3E, 3F, 4F, 4G, 4H, 5D, 6F).
  • the second portion 206b of the pressure regulating member 206 could be nearer, as compared to the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206, to the second end 102b of the chamber 210 (FIG 3A, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5E, 5F, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E).
  • the first portion 206a of pressure regulating member 206 is not submerged into the liquid 216, but has surface contact with it (FIG 3 A, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 5 A, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6F).
  • the first portion 206a of pressure regulating member 206 is submerged into the liquid 216 (FIG 3B).
  • all sections of the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 are subjected to same pressure condition within the chamber 210 i.e. all sections of the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 are at the same height of the liquid column (FIG 3A, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 4B, 4C, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 5A, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6F)).
  • different sections of the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating chamber 206 are subject to slightly different pressure condition within the chamber 210 (FIG 3B, 4 A, 4D, 5B, 6A, 6D).
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 is subjected to same pressure condition as compared to the wick 202 i.e. the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 and the wick 202 are at the same elevation and experiences the same liquid 216 column pressure (FIG 3A, 5A, 5F, 6D).
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 is subjected to slightly lower pressure condition as compared to the wick 202 (FIG. 3B, 4A, 6A).
  • within the chamber and during normal usage condition i.e.
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 is subjected to slightly higher pressure condition as compared to the wick 202 (FIG. 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 4E, 5C, 5D, 5E, 6E).
  • the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 completely covers the second opening 106 (FIG 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E). In another embodiment, the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 does not cover the second opening 106 (FIG. 3D, 3E, 3F, 4F, 4G, 4H, 5D, 5E, 6F).
  • the longitudinal axis of the pressure regulating member 206 i.e. the axis joining the first portion 206a and the second portion 206b of the pressure regulating member 206 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 102 i.e. the axis joining the first end 102a and the second end 102b of the housing 102 (FIG. 3A-3F, 4B-4H, 5A-5F, 6B-6F).
  • the longitudinal axis of the pressure regulating member 206 and the longitudinal axis of the housing 102 are perpendicular to each other (FIG. 4A, 6A).
  • the longitudinal axis of the pressure regulating member 206 and the longitudinal axis of the housing 102 are at an angle to each other (not shown).
  • the second opening 106 is disposed towards the second end 102b of the housing 102 (FIG. 3 A, 4C, 5A, 5E, 6C, 6D, 6E).
  • the second opening 106 is disposed towards the first end 102a of the housing 102 (FIG. 3D, 3E, 3F, 4F, 4G, 4H, 5D, 6F).
  • the second opening 106 may be disposed towards the first side 304a or second side 304b of the housing 102 (FIG. 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4D, 4E, 5B, 5C, 5F, 6 A, 6B)).
  • the housing 102 may also comprise of a base enclosure 301, which is disposed towards the second end 102b of the housing 102 (FIG. 3B, 3C, 4D, 4E, 5B, 5C, 5E, 6D, 6E).
  • the battery assembly 104 comprises a housing tube 701, an airflow sensor 702 attached to an electronic circuitry, a battery 704, a LED light, at least two pogo pins 706 and a slot or port 710. Further, the battery assembly 104 defines at least one air inlet 712, wherein the air inlet 712 enables the entry of air from the atmosphere into the device 100.
  • the battery assembly without the housing tube 701 is referred as the battery main body 717.
  • FIG. 7B illustrates the airflow sensor 702 housed in the battery assembly 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the airflow sensor 702 is configured to sense the usage of the device 100 by the user.
  • the airflow sensor 702 may sense the puffing action of the user. As the user initiates the puffing action, negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) is generated due to suction, which may be sensed by the sensor. Further, the air enters inside the battery assembly through the air inlet 712.
  • all the sides except the top portion of the airflow sensor 702 are covered by an elastomeric component.
  • the top portion of the airflow sensor 702 comprises a passage that is in fluidic connection with the suction provided by the user. Due to exposure to suction and because the airflow sensor is covered from all side by the elastomeric component (except the passage) from all side, the air above the sensor gets sucked, thereby creating sufficient negative pressure to activate the air-flow sensor 702.
  • a signal is sent to electronic components such as printed circuit board (PCB), wherein power is supplied to the heating element 204.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the ends of the heating element 204 is electrically connected to the pogo pins 706, wherein the pogo pins 706 are received by the connecting ports 116a and 116b provided towards the second end 102b of the housing 102.
  • the battery 704 to power the heating element 204 may be a rechargeable for example but not limited to rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
  • FIG.7C illustrates a diffusor component 708, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the battery assembly 204 comprises the LED, which is provided on the printed circuit board.
  • the LED is covered by the diffusor component 708.
  • the diffusor component 708 is a translucent component configured to diffuse the light emitted from LED.
  • a negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) is generated inside the chamber 210 at the time of filling the device 100.
  • the pressure to be maintained at the non liquid space 217 within the chamber 210 is between lkPa to 3kPa lower than the normal atmospheric pressure. This helps in preventing the leakage of the liquid 216 from the housing 102.
  • the device 100 is an air sealed device, wherein the only route for the entry and exit of the air into the chamber 210 is via the wick 202 and the pressure regulating member 206.
  • the housing 102 is inverted (first direction) such that the wick 202, the pressure regulating member 206 are inverted with respect to gravity, while the first end 102a of the housing 102 is facing towards the gravity.
  • a filling needle 802 is pierced through the elastomeric component 208 to inject the liquid into the chamber 210.
  • a tip portion of the filling needle 802 is configured to pierce the elastomeric component 208 to insert at least a portion of the filling needle 302 into the chamber 210 for injecting the liquid into the chamber 210.
  • the filling needle 802 pierces the elastomeric component 208 and begins dispensing the liquid into the chamber 210 (FIG 8B).
  • the air inside the chamber 210 is displaced through the wick 202 and the pressure regulating member 206, maintaining the wick 202 and the pressure regulating member 206 in a dry condition.
  • the wick 202 absorbs the liquid injected into chamber 210, as the wick 202 comes in contact with the liquid with the progress of the filling process (FIG.8C).
  • any air present within the chamber 210 is now vented out through the pressure regulating member 206. Further, the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 interface with the liquid when the chamber 210 is completely filled with the liquid.
  • FIG. 8E illustrates rotation of the housing 102 on completion of the filling process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the housing 102 is rotated to 180- degree angle on completion of the filling process, for inserting at least a portion of the housing 102 in the battery assembly 104 and initiate normal operation of the device 100.
  • FIG. 8F illustrates maintenance of non-liquid space 217 at the top portion of the chamber 210, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) is generated at the non-liquid space 217 of the chamber 210 due to absorption of liquid by some of the pores of the pressure regulating member 206. Further, some air may enter into the chamber 210 through the pressure regulating member 206 to maintain desired sub-atmospheric pressure at the non-liquid space 217 of the chamber 210.
  • Washburn theory indicates that if a porous solid is brought into contact with a liquid, such that the solid is not submerged in the liquid, but rather is just touching the liquid’s surface, then the rise of liquid into the pores of the solid due to capillary action will be governed by the following equation:
  • t time after the solid and the liquid are brought into contact
  • m mass of liquid sucked into the solid
  • h viscosity of the liquid
  • p density of the liquid
  • s surface tension of the liquid
  • Q contact angle between the solid and the liquid
  • c a material constant which is dependent on the porous architecture of the porous solid.
  • a s Surface Energy of the solid
  • a s p is the polar component of the surface energy of the solid
  • a s D is the dispersive component of the surface energy of the solid
  • a L P is the polar component of the surface tension of the liquid
  • si° is the dispersive component of the surface tension of the liquid
  • P s is the Surface Polarity of a given solid.
  • the technique considers pores as cylindrical capillaries of varying diameters and is based on Washburn equation, which states that at any pressure, the pores into which mercury (or for that matter any liquid) has intruded have diameters greater than:
  • D is the pore diameter
  • s is the surface tension
  • Q is the contact angle
  • P is the pressure applied.
  • the fundamental data produced during testing is the volume of mercury intruded into the sample as a function of applied pressure. Though this data is indicative of various characteristics of the pore space and physical properties of the solid material itself, the critical information of interest in this case is the cumulative volume of intrusion as a function of pore diameter. Also, information regarding Median Pore Diameter by volume, D me dian(V), is important. D me dian(V) is the diameter corresponding to 50% total intrusion volume on the Cumulative Intrusion versus Diameter plot. Further, those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter would appreciate that the concepts, principles, theories, equations and physical implications of the equations described herein are pertinent, in a broader sense of understanding and explanation, to the invention as a whole.
  • the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional e-cigarettes, by providing a pressure regulating member 206 wherein the first portion 206a of the pressure regulating member 206 is exposed to the chamber and is in contact with the liquid stored in the chamber 210. Further, the second portion 206b of the pressure regulating member 206 is exposed to the atmosphere, enabling the entry of air into the chamber when the pressure within the chamber 210 is decreased. Further, the pressure regulating member 206 comprises of porous material, which absorbs the liquid 216 into some of the pores without any external energy input, when pressure inside the chamber 210 is sufficient to allow liquid to partially overcome air barrier formed by air within some of the pores, while restricting the liquid leakage into the atmosphere under normal operating conditions.
  • the present invention as discussed in this document with respect to different embodiments will be advantageous in providing consistent flow of liquid 216 to the wick 202. Further, the present invention also prevents leakage of liquid 216 from the porous wick 202 by maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure inside the chamber 210. Further, since the invention actively inhibits generation of very high negative pressure (relative to atmosphere) inside the chamber 210, it facilitates adequate amount of liquid 216 at the vaporization zone 215, thereby improving volume of vapour generated by the device 100.
  • the advantages associated with the present invention are achieved by providing the pressure regulating member 206 in the device 100 disclosed in the present invention. Additional advantages not listed may be understood by a person skilled in the art in light of the embodiments disclosed above.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif (100) de vaporisation de liquide (216). Le dispositif (100) comprend un boîtier (102) et un élément de régulation de pression (206). Le boîtier (102) définit une chambre (210) pour stocker le liquide (216), et l'élément (206) est en prise avec la chambre (210). Une première partie (206a) de l'élément (206) est exposée à la chambre (210), tandis qu'une seconde partie (206b) est exposée à la pression atmosphérique. L'élément (206) comprend un matériau poreux qui absorbe le liquide (216), sans apport d'énergie externe, lorsque la pression à l'intérieur de la chambre (210) est suffisante pour permettre au liquide (216) de surmonter partiellement la barrière à l'air, sans permettre au liquide (216) de fuir dans l'atmosphère. En outre, le matériau permet à l'air de l'atmosphère d'entrer dans la chambre (210) lorsque la pression à l'intérieur de la chambre (210) chute dans une mesure permettant à l'air de surmonter au moins partiellement la barrière liquide formée par le liquide (216) dans certains des pores.
EP20798989.8A 2019-04-27 2020-04-22 Dispositif de vaporisation de liquide Withdrawn EP3962309A4 (fr)

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IN201921016819A IN201921016819A (fr) 2019-04-27 2019-04-27
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IN201921016819A (fr) * 2019-04-27 2019-06-21
FR3102244B1 (fr) * 2019-10-22 2021-12-24 Ateq Système de détection de fuites et méthode associée

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EP3358972B1 (fr) * 2015-10-08 2021-01-27 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Alimentation en liquide pour dispositif électronique à fumer
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IN201921016819A (fr) 2019-06-21
WO2020222087A1 (fr) 2020-11-05
CN113950258A (zh) 2022-01-18
US20220304381A1 (en) 2022-09-29
EP3962309A4 (fr) 2023-06-14

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