Adapter Element for Aerosol Device Diameter Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol-generating devices often require multiple units to accommodate aerosol-generating articles of different diameters, leading to inefficiencies and thermal losses due to improper fit, which affects the heating process and aerosol generation.

Innovation Solution

An adapter element with a cavity that fits aerosol-generating articles of smaller diameters is inserted into the heating chamber, allowing for secure retention and optimal thermal contact, enabling the use of various diameter articles with a single device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the heating chamber is optimized for a specific diameter of aerosol-generating articles, then secure fit and optimal thermal contact are achieved for that specific type, but the device cannot accommodate articles of different diameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different article diametersVSAvoidsecure fit and thermal contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter element is inserted inside the heating chamber, creating a nested structure where the adapter (first doll) contains the article (second doll). This allows articles of different diameters to be accommodated within the same heating chamber by selecting appropriate adapters, while maintaining secure fit through the nested configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter element acts as an intermediary component between the heating chamber and the aerosol-generating article. It mediates the interface between articles of different diameters and the fixed heating chamber, ensuring proper fit and thermal contact by matching the article diameter to the chamber dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple aerosol-generating devices are provided for different article types, then compatibility with various diameters is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different article diametersVSAvoidnumber of devices required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating chamber is designed with universal compatibility by accepting adapter elements of different sizes. This allows a single heating chamber to perform multiple functions - accommodating articles of various diameters through the use of different adapters, thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into two independent components: a universal heating chamber and interchangeable adapter elements. This segmentation allows the heating chamber to remain simple and unchanged while the adapters provide the variability needed for different article types, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If articles with different diameters are used in a single heating chamber, then versatility is improved, but thermal losses increase due to air gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse of different article diametersVSAvoidthermal losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter element serves as a thermal intermediary that fills the space between the heating chamber wall and the article. By matching the adapter's outer diameter to the chamber's inner diameter and the adapter's inner diameter to the article's outer diameter, it eliminates air gaps and ensures efficient thermal transfer from the chamber to the article.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 adapter element ensures secure fit and reduced thermal losses, maintaining efficient aerosol generation and resistance to draw by eliminating air gaps, while allowing for the use of different diameter articles within a single device.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element configured for heating an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The adapter element ensures secure fit and reduced thermal losses, maintaining efficient aerosol generation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12114700B2System comprising aerosol-generating device and adapter element

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

A system is provided, including an aerosol-generating device including a heating chamber to receive an aerosol-generating article of a first type, the article including an aerosol-forming substrate; and an adapter element to be inserted into the heating chamber and configured to have an outer shape to be at least partly inserted into the chamber, the adapter element having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the adapter element, the cavity being configured so that an aerosol-generating article of a second type having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the article of the first type is insertable into the cavity and thereby into the heating chamber, and the adapter element including a detection element configured to enable identification, by the device, of a type of the adapter element inserted into the heating chamber. A set of adapter elements, a kit, and a method are also provided.