jd, I think the solid metal bridge is there to prevent the wool bridge from being pressed onto the heating coil. I would imagine that the turbulence and resulting pressure drop, suction effectively, of our inhalations could place quite a bit of pressure onto the wool bridge from the cartridge material, that coming into contact with the heating coil could potentially cause all sorts of nasty things to happen, not the least of which could be a wee shock in the gob mate ! Oh and the death of it's electronics.
Looking at the possible airflow patterns, I think that the droplets are created from the basket surrounding the pot rather than from the bridge, that I think is there only to draw the liquid into the basket.
Looking at the possible airflow patterns, I think that the droplets are created from the basket surrounding the pot rather than from the bridge, that I think is there only to draw the liquid into the basket.