Solderless directly written heating elements

Abstract

A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit may simulate a cigarette. A flow of electrical power may be coupled through solderless pressure contacts to activate a heating element. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the liquid to be vaporized may be vaporized by an atomizer assembly. Vapors may then be aspirated by the user through an oral aspiration tube, where they may be inhaled.

1 . A personal vaporizer unit comprising:
 an air channel configured to receive outside air;   a cartridge storing a substance to be vaporized;   a ceramic substrate in contact with the substance to be vaporized in the cartridge;   a heating element directly embedded into the ceramic substrate, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the ceramic substrate to generate a vapor from the substance; and   a mouthpiece through which the vapor flows.   
     
     
         2 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic substrate comprises a supporting element. 
     
     
         3 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a conductive material formed into the ceramic. 
     
     
         4 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing supporting the ceramic substrate that forms an air gap where the vapor is generated, wherein the housing defines an air path for air flow.   
     
     
         5 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 4 , wherein the air path comprises an air hole and the vapor mixture flows to the mouthpiece through the air hole. 
     
     
         6 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 5 , wherein the outside air flows into the housing for mixing with vapor through the air hole. 
     
     
         7 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises an elongated cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         8 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic substrate comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion contacts the substance to be vaporized stored in the cartridge and the second portion includes the heating element. 
     
     
         9 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion absorbs the substance to be vaporized, which is wicked to the second portion and heated by the heating element. 
     
     
         10 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is in direct contact with the substance to be vaporized in the cartridge, while the second portion receives the substance from the first portion. 
     
     
         11 . The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein the direct writing comprises deposition of the heating element by plating, electroplating, or sputtering. 
     
     
         12 . A device comprising:
 an air channel configured to receive outside air;   a cartridge storing a substance to be heated;   a ceramic substrate configured to be in contact with the substance in the cartridge;   a heating element comprising a conductive material formed on a surface of the ceramic substrate through direct writing, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the ceramic substrate so as to heat the substance for a mixture with the outside air; and   a mouthpiece through which the mixture flows.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a battery coupled configured to provide power to the heating element. 
 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a housing supporting the ceramic substrate that forms an air gap for the mixture, wherein the housing defines an air path for air flow. 
 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the air path comprises an air hole and the vapor mixture flows to the mouthpiece through the air hole. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the housing comprises an elongated cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the direct writing comprises deposition of the heating element by plating, electroplating, or sputtering. 
     
     
         18 . A vaporizer, comprising:
 a cartridge configured to store liquid;   a wick coupled with the cartridge, the wick being made of porous ceramic and having a liquid absorption surface configured to absorb the liquid, and an atomizing surface; and   a heating element embedded in an interior of the wick on the atomizing surface, wherein the heating element is configured to atomize the liquid absorbed by the wick into atomized gas.   
     
     
         19 . The vaporizer of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a battery coupled with the heating element to provide power to the heating element.   
     
     
         20 . The vaporizer of  claim 18 , wherein the heating element is embedded by being directly written onto the wick. 
     
     
         21 . The vaporizer of  claim 18 , wherein an edge of the heating element is internally tangent to the atomizing surface. 
     
     
         22 . The vaporizer of  claim 18 , wherein the wick has a cylindrical shape that defines an air passage 
     
     
         23 . The vaporizer of  claim 18 , wherein the atomizing surface is a sidewall of the air passage, the liquid absorption surface contacts the liquid from the cartridge and comprises an outer circumferential surface of the wick.